Students attend the lecture by senior superintendent of police Vikas Vaibhav (above) in Darbhanga on Monday. Pictures by Mohan Mahato

Darbhanga, July 25: A police officer today donned the cloak of a professor to give tips to students of Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU) on ways to take care of the elderly.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vikas Vaibhav delivered a lecture on “Recent measures for redressal of elderly grievances” to the students of postgraduate diploma in geriatric care (PGDGC) in the LNMU zoology department.

The zoology department of LNMU conducts the PGDGC programme sponsored by University Grants Commission (UGC). In the first batch, 16 students took admission in the 2010-11 academic session. Later, the academic council and the syndicate of LNMU also approved the programme. This course is unique because it is only being offered by LNMU in the state.

During the lecture, Vaibhav, who was the guest lecturer, acquainted the students with various needs of the elderly, particularly medical, psychological and social needs. Persons, who take care of the elderly, have to pay attention on these needs. Vaibhav has already opened senior citizens’ cells at all police stations of Darbhanga.

Vaibhav told The Telegraph: “We have opened senior citizens’ cells under every police station so that we could instil a sense of security and confidence in the elderly. Now, they do not hesitate to visit police stations to share their personal problems and those of the neighbours.”

He added: “Students of PGDGC, who are well aware of the theoretical aspects of ways to take care of old people, could be of immense help if involved in senior citizens’ cells. They could particularly help on the medical and psychological fronts because of their specialisation.”

Chhaya Kumari and Pooja Kumari, both PGDGC students in LNMU, said they gained confidence on interacting with the senior police officer and after listening to his concepts on taking care of the elderly.

“The syllabus of the course enriches students theoretically and practically for taking care of old people and today’s lecture gave us a new lease of life, which would help build our career,” Pooja said.

PGDGC course co-ordinator Bhaweshwar Singh said: “The multi-disciplinary PGDGC course demands faculties of various departments to groom our students who are likely to become care givers of old people. Visiting faculties of many universities come to brief the students on the course contents, while two groups of students would be sent to Varanasi for their project work and other groups would pursue their projects in Darbhanga.”

He added: “We are in touch with some non-government organisations for placement of these students. We have got the approval of the academic council and syndicate of LNMU.”