HUG - Help Unite Generation Campaign launched to mark International Day for Older Persons

Chandigarh, October 3, 2015: Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh Centre for Social Work and HelpAge India (NGO) marked the International Day for the Older Persons at the Panjab University (PU) Campus. As declared by the United Nations, October 01 is being observed as International Day of Older Persons every year. 

This day is becoming very important because with changing times, families and relationships are getting redefined. The family values which were understood and passed over from one generation to the next are getting lost in the fast moving life. The virtue of spending time together is losing it’s relevance among our loved ones. Thus there is a need to evolve the ways to bridge the gap between generations. This is where the Help Unite Generation (HUG) program of HelpAge India comes- in. Sh. Bhavneshwar Sharma, State Head- HelpAge India encouraged the youngsters to give a thought, to look and think differently about elders and be more sensitive towards their needs. He mentioned that HelpAge India has taken the initiative to introduce the Help Unite Generation or HUG program in cities across India through events whose aim has been to provide a platform where-in elders and youngsters bond, exchange HUG bands and contact details to help stay in touch.

In this program, a Signature Campaign was organised at Student Centre, PU Campus. Around 400 faculty members and students from different departments along with their classmates participated in the campaign and wrote /shared their thoughts. The various faculty members who signed, participated and shared their ideas with the youngsters include Prof Manjit Singh from Sociology, Dr Yogesh Rawal and Prof Walia from Zoology,  Dr Suman Mor and Dr Manoj from Centre for Public Health.

Prof Sherry Sabbarwal, Co-ordinator, Centre for Social Work wrote “attention youngsters, one day you will be old, elders need respect and love”. All the faculty members and students of masters in Social Work first semester were present during the event./ (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)