India needs stronger social support systems for the elderly and people struggling with illness, says Madhusudan Sai

Singer Vijayprakash during an interactive program ‘Divya Sanje’ with spiritual leader and founder of One World One Family Mission Sadhguru Sri Madhusudan Sai in Mysuru on Saturday (September 5). | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Spiritual leader and founder of One World One Family Mission Sadhguru Sri Madhusudan Sai emphasized that India needs to develop stronger social support systems for the elderly and those battling serious, life-threatening illnesses.

Answering questions from singer Vijay Prakash and audience members at an interactive program ‘Divya Sanje’ in Mysuru on Saturday (September 5), he said that a family can face crisis when its only earning member falls seriously ill.

“If the only earning member of the family is diagnosed with a serious illness, the whole family can be affected. The mother can be left in a helpless situation, with no means to manage the situation,” he said.

In such circumstances, society as a whole should come forward and support families in need, he said.

He pointed out that India does not have adequate financial support systems for people facing such situations.

According to him, there are programs in the US that provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 a month for the treatment and care of the elderly and those suffering from serious illnesses. Similar support systems exist in Japan and several European countries, he said.

“Our governments also need to start thinking seriously about such support systems,” he said.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 19:39 IST