Are paid companions the right answer to loneliness among India's elderly?

"Rent-a-grandchild" services are growing in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. For about ₹400–450 an hour, a companion takes seniors to temples, sits with them at hospital visits, or simply listens. With children moving to other cities and abroad, supporters say this fills a real gap. Critics ask whether it lets families off the hook, and point out that most Indians can't afford it.