In the changing socio-economic situation, the problems of the aged and the infirm are becoming more complex today. In India, a large portion of aged is living in the villages where the poverty is wide spread. The young people seeking employment outside the villages tend to leave the elderly persons unattended in the villages. The elderly are left in isolation and loneliness. They develop a feeling of guilt and inferiority due to dependence and dejection. Women suffer more when the husband dies and she is left to suffer the agonies of widowhood, abuse and every type of ill treatment.

Villagers are often unable to take care of their aged parents and others as they do not even have the proper means to take care of themselves. For this reason, aged people often suffer a terrible destiny of negligence by their family members and live in unworthy conditions.

Shanthimalai Trust has a monthly pension program to help these people. More than 640 old and disabled persons now receive cash amounts ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per month. This way, their relatives are also reminded to recognize their duty and render support to their own families.