Patna: Vice-chancellor of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), P S Pandey, on Wednesday stressed the need to prioritise respect, security and care for the elderly, describing them as a valuable asset to society, amid concerns over India’s rapidly ageing population.Addressing a two-day national conference on “Aging Population: Issues, Challenges and Solutions” organised by the department of human development and family studies at College of Community Science under RPCAU, the VC highlighted the challenges posed by the rapidly increasing aging population in India. He said as the traditional social structures are weakening and families are becoming smaller, the younger generation feels difficulties in caring for their elderly parents.Speaking as the guest of honour on the occasion, Tanya Sen Gupta of National Institute of Social Defence asserted that caring for the elderly is a collective responsibility of the society and the govt, not just the family. She emphasised the need of creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for the elderly.More than 100 delegates from different organisations across the country are deliberating such vital issues as demographic changes, healthy aging, mental health, social isolation, legal and financial security, nutrition, Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. They are also discussing the increasing problem of loneliness and depression among the elderly and emphasized the need for community support to those people.Prominent among those who addressed the participants on the first day included A K Aditya, Shubhangi Singh, Abhijit K Dam, Usha Singh, and Vishala Patnam.Farmers urged to adopt scientific methods of beekeeping: Yet another three-day beekeeping programme organised by the university with a view to strengthening entrepreneurship in honey production through scientific methods concluded on Wednesday.Addressing this conference, experts emphasised the importance of beekeeping as a lucrative business opportunity for farmers. They urged farmers to adopt scientific methods of beekeeping with a focus on branding and value addition of honey.The vice-chancellor said that the university is working towards doubling the income of beekeepers and encouraged them to collaborate with the university to enhance their business.The programme was attended by over 50 participants, who engaged in discussions and received information from scientists on various aspects of beekeeping. The programme included demonstrations on different methods of beekeeping and provided the participants necessary information on equipment and techniques.
