We often hear of cases where old parents have no one to take care of them. In an effort to avoid this, there is something called the time bank now. This is when you give your time taking care of an elderly, and that time gets deposited for when you are in such a need of care. Actor Srikant Dwivedi, who recently lead the show Lakshmi Narayan and currently plays the role of Lord Vishnu in the mythological show, Shiv Shakti-Tap Tyag Tandav, says people will have to get used to such a concept.

“This is a wonderful initiative. However, I believe that if something like this is being introduced in India, it will be quite a cultural shock. India is known as a country where children are expected to take care of their parents in old age. But when we hear about children abandoning their parents, it is truly shocking. This is not what our Vedas and Puranas teach us about humanity.It is heartbreaking to know that parents are being neglected by their own children in their old age, but unfortunately, this is the reality today. I think this initiative will help bring some change in the younger generation by reminding them of the core concept of karma—what you do comes back to you,” he says.

He adds, “This initiative serves as a way to instill the understanding of karma, either through fear or by encouraging good deeds. If people realise that the time they spend with their parents today will be returned to them in their own old age, it might inspire them to be more responsible and caring. However, if such an initiative is happening, there should be a proper system in place to track it. I am not sure how it can be managed, but overall, this is a positive step in the right direction.”

Ask him if he would like to be part of this, and he says, “This is a positive initiative, and yes, I would love to be a part of this new process. If there is anything in society that brings positive change, shapes the upcoming generation, and instills the right values in children, I would be more than happy to contribute to it. This is not about personal gain or selfishness but about doing something good.“