Ageing, as an area of research, has been one of much interest in the developed world, while in developing countries like India this trend is slowly, but surely gaining importance. However, published work in ageing and related issues is still in its nascent stages. The need, therefore, is to adequately study and analyse the phenomenon of ageing and its linkages with devolopmental issues and, the means to address problems related with the process of ageing.

It is with this context in mind that the Indian Association for Social Sciences and Health (IASSH) has brought an Edited Volume, focussing exclusively on ageing and its relation with developmental issues. The major themes discussed are: older women and inclusive development, empowerment of elderly widows, mental health of elderly women in slums, health and other issues relate to elderly living in different geographical settings like rural, urban and tribal areas, status of palliative care, tribal elderly and their accessibility to health, female elderly in old age homes and gender disparity in food and health expenditure.

This Volume is expected to highly benefit policy makers, planners and civil society would be an information base for understanding the background, issues, policies and programmes and need for addressing issues, particularly developmental ones, affecting the elderly in our country.