Sir –

Over the years, loneliness has emerged as a serious social problem. One feels that the rise in the number of aged persons has a connection with this development.

The United Nations reports that there were 607 million people above the age of 60 in the year 2000, and the figure rose to 901 million in 2015. Unfortunately, a sizeable section of the elderly lead lonely lives.

This partly stems from the fact that career demands nowadays often compel children to change cities and leave their parents behind.

However, young people, too, suffer from loneliness. The lack of companionship can also trigger certain illnesses.

Many college students in the West voluntarily give company to the old and lonely in order to prevent the latter from feeling isolated.

It is time for us to think about this. Our high school and college students may be motivated to do something similar.

Pramatha R. Bhattacharya,
Calcutta

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