Department of Students Welfare and Office of Programme Coordinator, NSS

JAMMU, March 17- The National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Anugraha organize Intergenerational Bonding Mela in collaboration with the Department of Students Welfare and Office of Programme Coordinator, NSS University of Jammu . Around 150 persons participated which included elderly citizens, NSS volunteers and faculty members. Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu was the chief guest of the occasion and Prof Rajni Kant was the Guest of Honor.

Dr. Aabha Choudhary, the Chairperson of RRTC, Anugraha in her address appreciated the Department of Students Welfare and the Office of the Programme Coordinator, NSS, University of Jammu for hosting a such an event on a large scale. Focusing on the various problems of the elderly people, she motivated the younger generation to come forward and contribute towards the social and psychological well-being of the elders.

Dr. Anil Gupta, Associate Dean, DSW welcomed the elderly citizens from different organizations on behalf of University of Jammu and also highlighted the need for such programmes in the 21^st century. Dr. Hema Gandotra, Programme Coordinator, NSS introduced the organization Anugraha and its chairperson to the house and also threw light about the various activities being undertaken by the Ministry and how NSS youth is being made a part of it. Prof Rajni Kant, the Guest of Honour, in his address highlighted the need for elderly care and the sensitization of the youth towards caring of the aged. His emotional speech stressed upon the role of parents in the life of the children.

Prof Naresh Padha, the Chief Guest of the occasion congratulated the Department of the students’ welfare and the Office of the Programme Coordinator, NSS for collaborating to conduct such an activity on the campus. He also stressed upon the needs of the elderly and highlighted the interaction among the family members and its impact on the aged. The programme included the cultural bonanza by the NSS volunteers of DDE Unit and MIER college of Education, University Employees and the Senior Citizens of the various organizations. The elderly citizens from the All J&K Senior Citizens Welfare Council, Jammu, Old age Home Amphalla, World Women Awakening Organization participated.

Dr. Aabha Choudhary from Anugraha, Prof Naresh Padha, Prof Rajni Kant, Prof Vishav Raksha, Dr. Anil Gupta and Dr. Hema Gandotra  later felicitated some of the senior citizens which included  Sh. I D Soni, Sh. D.P. Khajuria, Ms. Nirmala Chattro, Sh. O.P. Sharma, Mrs. Anita Sharma, S. Sewa Singh, Prof Sarla Kohli, Dr. Renu Arun, Prof Vijay Laxmi and Others.

Sardar Manjeet Singh ji the chairperson of the All J&K Senior Ctizens Welfare Council, Jammu, and Advocate Deepali were the big support of the event. Prof Vishav Raksha, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee presented the formal vote of thanks. Dr. Shallu Sehgal, NSS Programme Officer presented vote of thanks. Prof Jasbir Singh, Prof Namrata Sharma, Prof Neeru Sharma, Prof. Samridi Arora, Dr. Monika Bhardwaj, Dr. Meghna Dhar, Dr. Saranjit Kour, Dr. Gopal Sharma were also present on the occasion among others.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)