Dr Haroon Hussain honored for his academic contributions in field of geriatric
Agra: Dr Haroon Hussain, leading physician at KMC Hospital Mangaluru, and academician, highlighted the growing importance of geriatric medicine in India as the country steadily moves towards an ageing population. He was speaking as a faculty member at GSICON 2025, the national annual conference of the Geriatric Society of India, held in Agra from December 12 to 14.
The conference brought together geriatricians, physicians and researchers from across the country to deliberate on emerging challenges and innovations in elderly healthcare. During his address, Dr Haroon stressed that geriatric medicine goes beyond treating individual diseases and instead adopts a holistic approach focused on preserving functional independence, improving quality of life and preventing disability among older adults.
Speaking on the role of communication in medical practice, Dr Haroon placed special emphasis on the sensitive task of breaking bad news, particularly in the care of elderly patients. He noted that while advances in diagnostics and treatment have transformed modern medicine, empathetic and respectful communication remains central to patient trust and healing. For older adults, who often face multiple illnesses along with emotional and social vulnerabilities, clear and compassionate communication can significantly improve treatment adherence and overall health outcomes, he said.
Dr Haroon also pointed out that rising life expectancy, changing family structures and the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and dementia have made structured geriatric care a priority in India. He said organised geriatric services can reduce avoidable hospital admissions, lower healthcare costs and provide crucial support to families and caregivers, while easing pressure on the healthcare system.
He further observed that strengthening geriatric care has broader social implications, including promoting healthy ageing, reinforcing respect for senior citizens and encouraging the development of age-friendly hospitals and communities. Investing in geriatrics, he said, reflects a society’s commitment to recognising the contributions of its elderly population and ensuring dignity in later life.
In recognition of his academic contributions to the field of geriatrics, Dr Haroon was honoured during the inaugural ceremony of the conference. The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Padma Shri awardee Prof. Dr D. K. Hazra, Dr Prashant Gupta, Dr O. P. Sharma and other senior members of the Geriatric Society of India and the GSICON 2025 organising committee. Dr O. P. Sharma, Secretary General of the Geriatric Society of India, was also acknowledged for his role in advancing geriatric medicine across the country.
Concluding his address, Dr Haroon said the future of healthcare lies not only in clinical expertise and technology but equally in compassion, communication and human connection. He noted that as India moves towards an ageing society, geriatric medicine has the potential to play a transformative role in healthcare delivery and in shaping attitudes towards elderly care.
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Cong's countrywide protest on Wednesday against VB-G RAM-G bill replacing MGNREGA
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress will hold protests across the country on Wednesday against the Centre's rural employment bill VB-G RAM G that seeks to replace MGNREGA, claiming it was a "BJP-RSS conspiracy" to dismantle a rights-based welfare scheme and attack Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, workers' rights and federal responsibility.
The opposition party's general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal, in a letter to all state Congress presidents, urged them to organise protests at all district headquarters.
These protests must be held with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolising resistance to the erasure of his name and values, and highlight how the proposed law will impact the crores of beneficiaries of MGNREGA, he said in the letter.
"The combined attack on Gandhiji's legacy, workers' rights and federal responsibility exposes a larger BJP-RSS conspiracy to dismantle rights-based welfare and replace it with charity controlled from the Centre," Venugopal said.
The opposition has strongly objected to the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday.
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The Congress and other opposition MPs also staged a protest in Parliament House complex over the Centre's move.
In the letter to the Congress state unit chief, Venugopal said that on December 28, the party's Foundation Day, programmes should be organised at all blocks and villages, with Mahatma Gandhi's portraits, reaffirming the party's commitment to the dignity of labour, social justice and the right to work.
"This is both a political and moral struggle. The Congress must lead from the front to defend MGNREGA, Gandhiji's legacy and the constitutional promise of justice for the poorest," Venugopal said in a post on X.
In his letter, he said the BJP government has taken an alarming and deliberate step by introducing a bill to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
"This is not a routine legislative exercise. It is a calculated political move to weaken a historical, rights-based people's law and to erase Mahatma Gandhi's name and values from India's most recognisable welfare legislation.
"This combined attack on Gandhiji's legacy, rights and federal responsibility exposes a larger BJP-RSS conspiracy to dismantle rights-based welfare and replace it with charity controlled from the Centre," he noted.
