T. Nagar is associated with shopping. Now, it’s also associated with ‘twilight living.’ According to the police, T. Nagar has topped the table for most number of senior citizens living alone.
This finding was made when the police conducted door-to-door enumeration of such seniors. The exercise followed the recent spate of crimes against seniors. In T. Nagar district, which covers five regions, 1721 such seniors were identified.
Archana Apartments in Rameshwaram Road, T. Nagar, has around eight senior citizens living alone. They have not faced any security issues until now. Reports of attacks against those like them have however unnerved them. These seniors were visited by the police months ago and advised on how to be safe.
“The police constable visited us and took down details such as our name, where our children live and their contact details. He asked us to follow certain safety measures. They include not opening the door to an unknown person and seeking identification from people coming to our house. We were also given a printed list of important numbers, including those of the police commissioner, the inspector and others,” says Hema Ramachandran.
People like M.S. Ananthpadmanabhan are not sure if this will be of any help in the event of an attack. “An assailant will not wait for us to call the police before attacking us. The residents of this apartment depend on each other for their safety. We have also employed a watchman throughout the day,” he says.
The Subramanians from West Mambalam have been left out of the enumeration.
“They probably came when we were not at home. We are however happy to note that the police is taking proactive steps to help the seniors living alone,” they say.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Senior Citizen’s Association has also been approached by the police to share the data they have on seniors citizens living alone.
“Three months ago, the police took the addresses of people we knew were living alone. Recently, they handed over a notebook which has rules and advices. The time and date of a constable’s visit are also mentioned. The police official is supposed to sign the book whenever he makes a visit,” says D. Rajasekaran, general secretary, adding that the move by the police will make seniors feel secure that the police is a friend and always at hand.
