TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 30, 2025: Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) organized a One-Day Awareness and Sensitization Programme on 28 March 2025, focusing on government policies, programmes, and schemes for the welfare of senior citizens. The initiative aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the various government initiatives designed to support the elderly, with a focus on legal rights and social welfare.
The programme, which was the result of collaborative efforts between the university’s faculty and student organizing committee, began with a welcome address by Dr. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Registrar of HNLU, followed by remarks from Dr. Uttam Kumar Panda, the Programme Convenor. Both emphasized the importance of legal advocacy and the university’s role in promoting social welfare for senior citizens.
Prof. (Dr.) Archana Kaushik from the University of Delhi’s School of Social Work delivered the keynote address, providing an in-depth overview of senior citizens’ welfare policies both within India and internationally. She stressed the need for comprehensive, inclusive policies to address issues like healthcare, financial security, and social isolation faced by the elderly.
The event featured two key technical sessions. The first session, led by Ms. Tanya Sengupta, Research Officer at the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), focused on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007. The session, moderated by Mr. Kamal Narayan, Assistant Professor at HNLU, discussed the Act’s provisions for the protection and maintenance of senior citizens, as well as its role in addressing neglect and abuse. Sengupta also highlighted the need for sensitization at the community level to create a supportive environment for the elderly.
Following this session, a health camp was organized for senior citizens, offering free medical check-ups and consultations to promote preventive healthcare.
The second session, moderated by Mr. Kamal Narayan, covered “Social and Financial Security Schemes for Senior Citizens in the State,” with Mr. Kamal Singh Bhadauria, Assistant Director at the Directorate of Social Welfare, Raipur, as the speaker. Bhadauria provided an overview of various state-level welfare schemes, including old-age pensions, healthcare services, and housing support, while also discussing the role of local governments and NGOs in implementing these schemes.
Both technical sessions concluded with interactive Q&A segments, allowing participants to engage with experts and discuss challenges related to service delivery and potential improvements.
The event concluded with a valedictory session addressed by prominent dignitaries, including Prof. (Dr.) Vishnu Konoorayar, Professor of Law at HNLU, Prof. (Dr.) Yogendra Kumar Srivastava, Dean of PG Studies at HNLU, and Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sahu, Deputy Director at the State Resource Centre, Social Welfare Department, Raipur. Dr. Uttam Kumar Panda delivered the vote of thanks, recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the event’s successful execution.
HNLU’s commitment to social responsibility and legal advocacy was evident throughout the programme, as it fostered a productive dialogue on the rights and welfare of senior citizens and emphasized the importance of protecting their dignity.
