National Conference / Sensitisation Workshop on Elderly
- 17 April, 2025 :: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Arunachal Pradesh -

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NISD Sponsored Two Days National Conference / Sensitisation Workshop on Elderly concludes at RGU

Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) hosted a significant two-days’ National Conference cum Sensitisation Workshop with Local Police Personnel on “Empowering the Elderly in Tribal & Developing Societies: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward”, dated 16th & 17th April, 2025.

The event organised jointly by Community Development Cell & Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in collaborations with Departments of National Security Studies and Psychology of RGU & Ane’s Home - An Initiative of Capital Police, Itanagar for Trauma and Abuse Victims has been funded by National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

Eminent Resource Persons enriched the sessions with their knowledge and expertise comprising eminent scholars, social thinkers, and policy experts from across the country. Twenty-Seven (27) Research Papers with Twenty –One (21) of them being from the scholars representing prestigious institutions located across the country were presented and deliberated during the national conference. Nearly 200 participants attended the event organized in blended (both online and offline) mode.

The event served as a dynamic platform for sharing updated information, research, strategies, and innovations to uplift the elderly, particularly in tribal and developing contexts. The programme witnessed Four Technical Sessions of Research Paper Presentations, One Panel Discussion led by Subject Experts of Diverse Fields, One Plenary Session highlighting the need for a Trans-Disciplinary approach to addressing Elderly Issues as the subject transcends disciplinary boundaries, A Workshop with Police Personnel by Law and Commerce Experts and Inaugural as well as Valedictory Sessions where Padma Shri Uddhab Kr Bharali and SP Capital, Itanagar, as Guests of Honour, respectively shared their insights with the participants.

NISD Sponsored Two Days National Conference / Sensitisation Workshop on Elderly concludes at RGU

Inaugural Session commenced with a compelling keynote address by Padma Shri Awardee Shri Uddhab Kumar Bharali, a renowned innovator and social thinker. Emphasizing the value of simple yet impactful grassroots-level innovations, Shri Bharali advocated for investing knowledge in solutions that may address everyday challenges faced by the elderly. He urged that, “We must focus on small things that make a big difference.”

Prof. S. K. Nayak, Vice Chancellor (i/c) of RGU in his inaugural remarks, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to elderly welfare. He announced plans to introduce a course on Gerontology, the study of aging, to educate and prepare future caregivers and professionals in this vital field. Prof. Nayak also invited Shri Bharali to exhibit his innovations for the benefit of students and faculty.

Three technical sessions and one panel discussion marked the first day of the conference. First Technical Session with six research paper presentations, focused on Health and Well-Being of the Elderly emphasizing a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional health. The session stressed the need for preventive healthcare and awareness. It concluded that Elders need pro-active care and attention more than anything else.

Second Technical Session with six research paper presentations, focused on Social Inclusion, Family, and Intergenerational Relationships, emphasizing on rebuilding intergenerational trust and enhancing community participation of elders. Third Technical Session with five research paper presentations, explored on the Role of Technology and Media in Elderly Empowerment. The speakers highlighted the need for digital inclusion, safety, and financial empowerment for the elderly through accessible technology and exclusive digital platforms for the elderly. Panel Discussion with the theme Prioritizing the Elders featured distinguished experts from various fields. Discussions centered around inclusive policy-making, economic security, and accessible healthcare.

The second day opened with Plenary Session on Elderly Well-Being in Tribal and Developing Societies. Total Seven Panelists participated in it and they stressed on the revival of traditional care systems and the urgent need to address elder abuse and neglect.

NISD Sponsored Two Days National Conference / Sensitisation Workshop on Elderly concludes at RGU

Following this, Technical Session IV addressed Policy, Culture, and Societal Approaches to Age-ing. In this session, discussions revolved around the inter-generational respect, cultural values, and the creation of age-friendly communities. A unique session involved a workshop with police personnel, aimed at sensitizing law enforcement to elderly issues which witnessed participation of thirty field level police personnel from capital police, Itanagar. Eminent professors from Rajiv Gandhi University stressed upon the use of a collaborative approach to senior citizen safety and welfare in this session. The session concluded with experience sharing by the police personnel.

The two-day event concluded on a high note with the presence of Shri Rohit Rajbir Singh, IPS, SP - Capital Police, Itanagar as Guest of Honour, successfully creating a space for interdisciplinary dialogue and actionable outcomes. With enthusiastic participation from academicians, practitioners, students, and administrative professionals, the conference charted a roadmap for empowering the elderly in culturally and economically diverse settings.

Dr. Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Coordinator, Community Development Cell, RGU was the Convenor of the two day national event and also moderated the panel discussions while Prof. Utpal Bhattacharjee, Director, IQAC led the event as Organising Chairman. Prof. Nandini C. Singh, Department of Geography chaired the valedictory session. The event was also attended by delegates from Hills College of Teacher Education, Lekhi led by its Principal Dr. M.M. Mohapatra. Dr. Ajay Kr. Mishra, Liaison Officer, Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh participated as a panelist during plenary session.

It was emphasized by Dr. Mishra that the Directorate of Higher Education of the state will plan and conduct sensitization workshop with college students on Elderly Issues for the awareness building and pro-active intervention to the issue. Prizes to the winners among participants of literary and painting activities organized during Anti-Ragging Week Celebhrations-2024 and National Well-Being Conclave -2024 were distributed during the inaugural session of the two day event. Dr. Maibam Sanju Meetei, HoD, ECE, RGU, acted as Organising Secretary while Dr. Arvind Kumar Kushwaha, HoD (i/c), National Security Studies, Dr. Proshanto Kr. Saha, HoD, Psychology and Inspector Sushant S Jha, Capital Police, Itanagar acted as Coordinators.

Prof. S.K. Nayak, the Vice Chancellor (i/c) highlighted that with rising average age to 72 and 68 years respectively for female and male populations in the country, elderly care deserves due attention of policy makers and academia. The event reaffirmed the need for collaborative efforts, inclusive policies, and culturally sensitive innovations to ensure the well-being, dignity, and active participation of the elderly in society.