One day National Conference on building the future of Ageing concluded in BSSS

The department of social work, BSSS college organized a One day Conference on the future building and challenges of the elderly in a joint collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Niti Ayog on 3^rd April 2025 in the seminar hall of BSSS College Bhopal. In which 350 eminent scholars, thinkers and policy experts from across the country participated and expressed their views through offline and online mode. In this one-day conference, special emphasis was given to the important challenges related to old age and their neglect. The Chief Guest of the conference Mrs. Sonali Vayangankar, the honorable principal secretary Social Justice and Empowerment of PWD Department, MP., said that in 21^st century the world is witnessing a tremendous population change as the global population is turning to old. By 2050, one in every 6 people will be aged 65 or older, reflecting the urgency of addressing the multiple dimensions of this trend. According to a report, Indian society gives importance to ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’ but today it does not understand the importance of safety of the older people in its own home. Today the increasing distance between the young generation and the older people is becoming a challenge for future change but it is also providing important opportunities to reform the society and make life better. Rev. Fr. John PJ. the principal of BSSS college said that increasing age is natural but the young generation needs to be aware of the challenges faced at this stage and it is important to understand and do research on this subject.

Professor Abraham Francis of the Social Work Discipline Lead, School of Arts and Science, the Notre Dame University, Australia, said that very soon a large population of the world will become old and hence we need to be prepared from today itself. In this context, he expressed his views on the economic context and concept of economy such as paid care or salaried caregiver must be trained in advance. Mr. Amiya Shankar, the Senior consultant, Rajya Niti Ayog (MPRNA), discussed many schemes of the government related to older people for their economic and social supports. Dr Poonam Gulalia and Ms. Samskriti Khare, the State Head, Madhya Pradesh Help Age India, while sharing the stage, expressed their views on the health, mental care, financial crisis, cyber security and cyber arrest, of the older people.

Dr. Rutwik Gandhe, HOD Social Work, BSSS college Expressed views on the bilateral pyramid-based ideology related to old people, decline of values and community nature is a challenge for the future. On this occasion, distinguished members of Madhya Pradesh Rajya Niti Ayog and members of the department and students were present under the leadership of Professor Dr. Sheeba Joseph of the department of Social Work, BSSS College, Bhopal.

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