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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
‘Solidarity, not sympathy': Kolkata campaign centres dignity of the elderly
Kolkata In a social ecosystem where the elderly often find themselves isolated, battling loneliness and depression with few avenues for expression or support, a citywide campaign currently underway in Kolkata seeks to reconnect them with the world beyond their often-empty homes. Launched in mid-April at the Asiatic Society by the Department of Psychiatric Social Work at SSKM Hospital, in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence — a Central government body — the initiative will conclude with a West Bengal-level conference at the Indian Museum on June 22. A significant milestone in the campaign came on June 15, observed globally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, during an event at the Kolkata Police Training School. In a departure from conventional observances, caregivers and family members were not invited. The event gave the stage exclusively to older adults, who spoke candidly about experiences of neglect and psychosocial distress — concerns often overlooked in discussions around India's ageing population. 'Mental healthcare for older adults is not optional — it's essential. Wrongly labelling depression or dementia as 'normal ageing' delays care and deepens suffering,' Dr. Amit Bhattacharya, Professor of Psychiatry at SSKM Hospital, said underscoring the urgency of the campaign's goals. One of the campaign's most poignant moments, according to organisers, was a theatre performance titled Banchbo Mora Eksathe (We Will Survive Together) by the group Janhabi Sanskritik Chakra. The performance conveyed the message that dignity is not a favour but a fundamental right. 'This campaign is not about sympathy — it is about solidarity. When someone says, 'No one has asked me in years how I feel,' it shakes you. Right to dignity cannot expire with age,' Mayank Kumar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatric Social Work and project head, said. Reflecting on the emotional resonance of the sessions, Manisha Manna, an scholar and facilitator, said, 'Several participants broke down. For some, it was the first time anyone asked how they were doing emotionally. One woman held my hand and cried — not because of anything I said but because someone finally cared to ask. It reminded me that we don't always need grand solutions. We just need to listen.' The Kolkata Police, which partnered for the June 15 event, runs a separate programme for senior citizens called PRONAM. 'Our programme has around 26,000 members enrolled. Any resident of Kolkata above 60 and living alone or with a spouse can enrol with us. We have a dedicated helpline and a call centre for them. Police persons keep visiting members regularly to provide them a sense of security,' said Santosh Pandey, Additional Commissioner of Police. The final event on June 21–22 will bring together experts from institutions such as NIMHANS, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and Delhi University. 'India currently has over 104 million citizens aged 60 and above, according to Census 2011, and this number is expected to nearly double by 2050. Globally, it is estimated that 7% of older adults live with depression, 5% with dementia, and 2% with anxiety disorders. In India, however, such conditions often remain undiagnosed and untreated, usually dismissed as part of 'normal ageing',' said Mr. Kumar.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Biker killed in pile-up, 2 others die in N Kol, Chowbaga accidents
1 2 Kolkata: Three were killed and several others injured in three accidents between Sunday evening and Monday afternoon. A multi-vehicle pile-up near the Tea Board of India office in central Kolkata around 1am on Monday led to the death of a biker, Ravi Jaiswal (36), a resident of Tikiapara in Hiwrah. Police said a car coming from Howrah rammed into the stationary motorbike, carrying three riders. The three, none of them wearing a helmet, were thrown to the ground. The car crashed into a parked app cab and smashed into a traffic kiosk. The car driver, Anis Khan, was arrested. Jaiswal, who ran a plastic scrap business, died at SSKM. "Ravi, the youngest in our family, took his bike out, but his friend was riding it. We don't know why they went out so late," said his brother, Vikas. On Monday afternoon, a biker from Hooghly, Nirmal Das (55), was run over by a Roure 215 bus near Jorasanko. Earlier on Sunday evening, Jabir Sheikh (75) was hit by a bike on Basanti Highway near Chowbaga. He died at SSKM Hospital. —Tamaghna Banerjee
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kolkata's top government hospital launches anti-drug addiction campaign with Central help
One of the top State Government-run medical institutions in Kolkata, SSKM Hospital, has launched a big drug abuse prevention campaign — starting with Kolkata and then moving to other parts of West Bengal — to curb high prevalence of addiction among the youth and prison inmates. The programme, carried out by the Psychiatric Social Work department of the hospital and supported by the Central Government, began on April 17 and six programmes have been held so far in Kolkata, Howrah and Barrackpore. 'The initiative was launched to not only curb rising substance abuse, particularly among adolescents and in correctional homes, but also to equip stakeholders with tools to identify, prevent, and address the problem,' Mayank Kumar, assistant professor at the department who is anchoring the campaign, said. According to Mr. Kumar, the target of the programme during the six drives held so far was to reach 150 participants, but it successfully reached 602 participants, including residents and officers of correctional homes, police officers, customs and airport officials, officers of Narcotic Control Bureau, NGOs, students, de-addiction specialists, counsellors, youths, parents, teachers, health professionals, and social workers. 'Although it may no longer dominate headlines, drug abuse remains a pressing concern in West Bengal. The region struggles with cross-border drug trafficking, especially of opioids like heroin. The national opioid usage rate stands at 2.1%, with Bengal experiencing a significant share due to its geographic vulnerability,' Mr. Kumar told The Hindu. 'Recent data indicates that about 9% of inmates in correctional homes are addicted to substances in West Bengal. This prevalence is concerning, especially in the context of overcrowded prisons and limited rehabilitation resources. Studies indicate that about 50% of prisoners in India suffer from substance use disorders — and this excludes tobacco use.,' he added. Mr. Kumar said the primary causes of substance abuse among the young included peer pressure and curiosity, disconnect with family, and relationship issues. The challenges in dealing with the problem, he said, was the lack of awareness in caregivers and teachers about early signs of addiction, inadequate access to health professionals and de-addiction services in many districts, and glamorised portrayals of drug use in pop culture and social media. 'Our programme advocates school-based interventions that go beyond lectures — leveraging storytelling, peer leadership, and practical mental health education; early screening and accessible counselling services to be embedded in educational institutions; promotion of vocational training, sports, and creative expression to give youth a sense of purpose and belonging; and encouragement of stronger family involvement and community-based intervention to nurture social safety nets,' Mr. Kumar said.
