Seminar on Awareness about lifestyle diseases
Date : 17th March 2023 ; Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh

Awareness about lifestyle diseases amongst the youths of Arunachal Pradesh at Rajiv Gandhi University

Awareness about lifestyle diseases amongst the youths of Arunachal Pradesh at Rajiv Gandhi University

On 17 March 2023 (Friday), a national seminar and awareness camp on “Recent Trends on Common Lifestyle Diseases and Awareness Among the Youths of Arunachal Pradesh”, jointly organized by the Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

The coordinator of the programme, Dr. Arnab Ghosh, stated that the aim of the seminar was to disseminate knowledge and create awareness about “Lifestyle Diseases”, such as heart diseases, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. These non-communicable diseases are rapidly becoming the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The prevalence and impact of these conditions can no longer be ignored or side-lined. The seminar cum awareness programme was attended by 130 participants, including faculty, Ph.D. research Scholars, and M.Sc. students.

The seminar started with the welcome address by Dr. Daniel Mize, Head of the Department of Zoology and the convenor of the seminar. He emphasized the importance of this seminar on the social aspect of Arunachal Pradesh and briefly highlighted the activities and achievements of the Department of Zoology.

The vice-chancellor of RGU, Prof. Saket Khuswaha, in his message, mentioned that “the state of Arunachal Pradesh which is passing through the phase of rapid societal transition with indiscriminate acceptance of modernized lifestyle among the youth can lead to the similar impact of burden as is evident in the global scenario. As a remedial measure, strengthening the current public health recommendations for the observance of healthy lifestyle habits is of utmost importance.”

Director of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science (TRIHMS), Dr. Moji Jini

The director of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science (TRIHMS), Dr. Moji Jini, highlighted the dos and don'ts of avoiding lifestyle diseases and the status of non-communicable diseases in Arunachal Pradesh. He also proposed future collaborative proposals for research and development among these two pioneering educational institutions.

Dr. N.T Rikam, Registrar, RGU responded to this proposal and expressed his thoughts on the positive impact of collaborative work for the common interest of Arunachal Pradesh. Prof. Vasanthi Rajendran, Training, RGNIYD congratulated the Department of Zoology for this effort. Prof. Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences presented his views on the socio-economic effect of lifestyle diseases. Prof. P.K. Panigrahi, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), RGU, reflected how this fast-moving lifestyle is contributing to this new trend of lifestyle diseases.

Information brochures describing the risk factors and management options of lifestyle diseases were distributed among all the participants and discussed with all the participants through an Awareness camp.

Awareness about lifestyle diseases amongst the youths of Arunachal Pradesh at Rajiv Gandhi University

In the first technical session, Prof. Soma Banerjee, from the Center for Liver Research, School of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Kolkata, delivered a talk on the topic- “Genetic Factors as Predictor of Alcoholic Liver Diseases and Novel Therapeutic Challenges”. In the next technical session, Mr. Mairembam Stelin Singh and Dr. Nikhil Kumar Mahnot from Rajiv Gandhi University delivered lectures.

The technical session concluded with the keynote address by Prof. Satinath Mukhopadhyay, an Endocrinologist from the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata talked about the “The burden of diabetes in India”. The program concluded with a vote of thanks.