RPCAU Vice-Chancellor Advocates for Enhanced Elderly Support Systems
In Patna, the Vice-Chancellor of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), P S Pandey, delivered a compelling address on Wednesday, underscoring the urgent necessity to prioritize respect, security, and comprehensive care for the elderly. He described senior citizens as invaluable assets to society, a statement made against the backdrop of growing concerns over India's rapidly aging demographic landscape.
National Conference Addresses Critical Aging Issues
The remarks were made during a two-day national conference titled "Aging Population: Issues, Challenges and Solutions," organized by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the College of Community Science under RPCAU. Vice-Chancellor Pandey highlighted the multifaceted challenges posed by the swift increase in the aging population across India. He pointed out that as traditional social frameworks weaken and family units become smaller, younger generations are encountering significant difficulties in providing adequate care for their elderly parents.
Collective Responsibility Stressed by Experts
Serving as the guest of honor, Tanya Sen Gupta from the National Institute of Social Defence reinforced the notion that caring for the elderly is a collective responsibility shared by society and the government, not merely confined to familial duties. She emphasized the critical need to establish a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for older adults, advocating for systemic changes to address their well-being.
Comprehensive Discussions on Elderly Well-being
More than 100 delegates from various organizations nationwide engaged in deliberations on a wide array of vital topics. These included demographic transformations, strategies for healthy aging, mental health concerns, social isolation, legal and financial security measures, nutrition, and the integration of Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation into elderly care routines. Participants also focused on the escalating issues of loneliness and depression among the elderly, stressing the importance of robust community support systems to alleviate these challenges.
Prominent speakers on the first day of the conference included A K Aditya, Shubhangi Singh, Abhijit K Dam, Usha Singh, and Vishala Patnam, who contributed diverse perspectives to the discussions.
University Promotes Scientific Beekeeping for Farmers
In a related development, RPCAU concluded a separate three-day beekeeping program aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship in honey production through scientific methodologies. Addressing this conference, experts highlighted beekeeping as a lucrative business opportunity for farmers, urging them to adopt scientific approaches with an emphasis on branding and value addition for honey products.
Vice-Chancellor Pandey noted that the university is actively working towards doubling the income of beekeepers and encouraged collaboration with RPCAU to enhance their business ventures. The program attracted over 50 participants who engaged in detailed discussions and received insights from scientists on various aspects of beekeeping, including demonstrations of different methods and information on essential equipment and techniques.
