102nd Indian Science Congress

The 102nd Indian Science Congress, began today in Mumbai. It is organised by the University of Mumbai. This congress looks forward to powering possibilities for the future of advanced safety, healthcare, agriculture, environment, education, industries and entrepreneurs.

In the inaugural session of the congress very interesting and thought provoking speeches were given by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis and India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, where along with other issues they emphasized on topics of concerns like Climate Change, Malnutrition, Nuclear Energy.

These issues are very important for the overall development of our country and its people; however being a gerontologist I wish and hope that through such kind of initiatives some efforts should be put to find cures for diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. With increase in longevity this has become a matter of serious concern.  Along with this, efforts should also be made to develop some elder friendly gadgets and tools so that more and more elderly can lead an active, healthy and productive life.

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Initiatives to promote Ageing issues in CSR unit and Media sector

Recently attended two interesting workshops on Ageing issues at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Both workshops were organized under the UNFPA-ISEC-TISS-IEG Collaborative Project on Elder Advocacy. 

The first workshop was on CSR and Ageing, which was attended by Researchers, Academicians, CSR and NGO professionals.  The discussions in this workshop were mainly focussed upon inclusion of elder friendly projects in the CSR unit of a company.

The second workshop was on Media and Ageing, it was attended by professionals from Media sector, Media Faculty, Researchers and Academicians.  Main aim of this workshop was to sensitize the media on ageing issues and to encourage them to cover elder specific news items mainly on positive topics.

More and more such workshops are required to bring ageing issues in the forefront and also to address the needs and rights of older persons for promotion of healthy and productive ageing.

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Ageing in India: Concerns and Challenges

Sharing my paper "Ageing in India: Concerns and Challenges" (http://www.slideshare.net/DrNidhiMishra/ageing-in-india-dr-nidhi-mishra), which is recently published in BOLD, a quarterly journal of the United Nations International Institute on Ageing, Malta. 

This paper gives an overview of the situation of older persons (60+) in India with a special focus on demographic, psycho-social and policy issues related to the elderly in India. It also highlights the various challenges faced at micro and macro level towards the promotion of the health and well-being of older persons in India. In addition to this, it covers the contribution of various role players such as older persons, family, educational institutions, civil society, for-profit ventures and government in facing those challenges.In the end, based on the review of the situation of older persons in India, it suggests some action points which can be taken as a way forward towards promoting the health and well-being of older persons. 

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Slowing of Ageing process through Jogging

Great news for all those health conscious 60+ people who want to keep themselves healthy by exercise and jogging.

In a recent study done at Humboldt State University on 60+ people, it was found by researchers that jogging at the age of sixties and seventies could help slow down the ageing process. 

For more details please read:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2843484/Slow-ageing-process-feel-like-20-70s-jogging.html

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Proud of you Dad!

This post is in honour of my dad Dr. Ashok Mishra, who is an inspiration for me. He is a 67 year old General Physician, who is passionate about his work and is always ready to help people with medical needs. I feel from him only I have acquired the passion to work for social cause.

I am proud of my Dad and he is a perfect example of active and productive ageing.

Sharing one of his recent photograph where he is talking to his patients during a free medical camp.

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Healthy food for a fit body

Interesting article by a naturopathic doctor Dr. Akilah EL (http://bit.ly/1fmSaXN) on foods that look like various body parts and are useful for keeping those body parts fit too.

A useful article for both youngsters and elderly for keeping their mind and body fit and leading a healthy and active life.

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World Alzheimer's Day- 21st September

Today on World Alzheimer's Day I would like to request both younger and older persons to try keeping their mind active and fit through some positive mental exercises which is one of the major step towards preventing Alzheimer's in later life.

A healthy mind keeps a body fit.

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A great initiative by an 11 year old for her ailing grandfather

11 year old Lily has proved it right that when you are passionate to do something then nothing can stop you.She is not an average kid.  Out of her concern to make her ailing grandfather's life comfortable, who is suffering from Parkinson's, this Chicago based kid has designed a cup for him. It is called Kangaroo Cup, it's contoured handles provide a comfortable one-or two-handed grip and stays stable on uneven surfaces. Overall it's easier to hold than the average drinking glass or cup. (http://bit.ly/1ooOs29)

I really appreciate this great initiative by this little girl for her grandfather and hope that more and more grandchildren should show such type of  concern for the betterment of their grandparent's quality of life.

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An example of inter-generational bonding

This post is dedicated to the two diligent gentlemen in our organization, Mr. James and Mr. Sai. Though they belong to different age groups but the understanding between them is great and they compliment each other in many different ways. Their team work makes the working of the organization efficient and smooth.

Our organization Life Circle Senior Citizens Foundation not only aims at promoting inter-generational bonding through our projects but also promotes a work culture where such kind of relation can flourish.

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A Course on Gerontology

The course on Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, which I was taking under the Diploma in Gerontology Programme at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, got over last week. Like the course, the students group was also a multidisciplinary group; there were doctor, social worker, journalist, demographer, scientist, legal experts, financial experts, entrepreneurs and people with background in management and office administration in the group. Their experiences and curiosity to learn new things related to gerontology made the sessions an interesting and amazing experience for me and I am sure for them as well.

Apart from the interesting discussions and their enthusiasm to learn new things about gerontology, one thing which I really liked in the group was the strong bonding among them. Though they belonged to different age groups and different places but they bonded very well with each other and were ready to help each other in class assignments without any selfish motive.

I wish all of them good luck for their endeavours in this field and hope that they all will work towards promotion of healthy and productive ageing in our society.

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