Judge Singh’s poem for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

White Ribbon Ambassador Judge Ajit Swaran Singh delivered the poem below to two Auckland community groups to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Judge Singh has long been a vital advocate for violence prevention and we are thrilled to be able to share his poem with you. It is especially relevant this year as we begin to work with groups that have been historically marginalised, including the elderly. The original text is in Hindi (using the English alphabet) and the English translation is in brackets below.

 

 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

12 June 2021        Bharatiya Samaj

19 June 2021        Shanti Niwas

Edited version: 

 

Viswah ke buzurgo joh hai zurm ke sikaar

(World’s Elders who are victims of abuse)

Jaankari mileh woonhe kya hai woon ka adhikaar

(Need to be made aware of their rights)

Ishwar kripa kare woonhe kabhi koi dukh nah pahuchaye

(Pray no one ever abuses our Elders)

Nah hum jurm kare, jurm sahe kar nah chup rahe, jurm dekh hum jurm ke khilaf awaaz uthaye

(Never commit elder/family violence nor condone it or remain silent when you witness elder/family violence)

 

Sharirik ho yah mansik, jurm burzurgo par gambhir dukh pahuchaye

(Whether physical or psychological, abuse inflicts serious harm/trauma on our Elders)

Paisa loote, tana mare, ana jana par pabandhi lagai aur pidhith (पीड़ित’) ko rahat na dilwaye

(Financial abuse, verbal abuse, restrictions on social interactions and/or failure to provide necessaries of life/treatment)

Aise ghatia harkatoh koh hum zurm kahelaye

(Such inhumane conduct constitutes abuse)

Jo buzurgo par kare atyachar

(Those who commit abuse on Elders)

Hum sab mil kar badleh woon ka ghatia soch aur bichaar

(Our responsibility is to change/rehabilitate perpetrators inhumane conduct/mindset)

Prayaas kare: buzorgo ke saath hum insaniyat darshai

(We should treat Elders in a humane way)

Woon ke saath ijjat aur prem ka rishta hum sada nibhai

(Our relationship with our Elders should be one of mutual respect & affection)

Hum woonhe khusiyah deh beshumaar

(We should give them infinite happiness)

Woon ko hum deh azzadi aur anant pyar

(From us, they deserve independence & infinite love)

Har lambhe woon ke chehere par ho muskaan

(May eternal smile adorn their faces)

Maast ho kar weh chumeh sitaro seh jagmagati hui aasman

(Joyfully, may they embrace/kiss star studded sky)

Tabhi puri hogi hamare buzurgo ka armaan

(Only then would their aspirations be fulfilled)

Saraahane (सराहनीय) hai woon ka balidan

(Commendable is their sacrifice)

Anmol hai woon ka yogdan

(Invaluable is their contributions/legacy)

Uttam parvarish ke liyeh hum par hai woon ka ehasaan

(For the wonderful way in which they have nurtured us, we are ever so grateful & indebted)

Hamare purvajo se hame mili hai bahoot maan aur shaan

(To our Elders, we owe our success & fame)

Kush kishmat walo ko hi milti hai itna anmol daan

(Fortunate ones are blessed with such invaluable gift)

Aaj hamare kaamyadi par hai woon ka ashirwaad

(For our achievements, we have their blessings)

Au hum sab mil kar tehe dil se woon ko deh hardik dhanyawaad.

(Together, let us acknowledge our Elders with heartfelt gratitude & appreciation)

 

सूभाग़ और अजित

Subhag Singh &

Dr Ajit Swaran Singh

District Court Judge

White Ribbon Ambassador