Healthcare Leader Proposes Caregiver Skill Development Initiative for Hill Youth to Boost Elder Care and Employment
Kolkata | IBG NEWS
A proposal aimed at addressing two of India’s growing social challenges—quality eldercare and youth employment—has been placed before the Government of West Bengal by noted geriatrician and social activist Dr. Dhires Kumar Chowdhury, who has appealed for government support to develop a structured caregiver training programme for young people from the hill regions and minority communities.
In a letter addressed to Shri Bishal Lama, Minister of State for Hill Affairs, Home Affairs, and Minority Affairs, Government of West Bengal, Dr. Chowdhury congratulated the Minister on his recent electoral victory and his induction into the State Cabinet. He also described Shri Lama’s appointment as the first Buddhist Minister in the history of West Bengal as a landmark achievement, calling it a moment of pride for the state’s Buddhist community.
Dr. Chowdhury highlighted the rapidly expanding elderly population in India and the corresponding increase in demand for professionally trained caregivers. He noted that while the need for quality eldercare services is rising sharply, the availability of trained caregiving professionals remains inadequate.
According to the proposal, this growing gap presents an opportunity to simultaneously strengthen healthcare services for senior citizens while creating sustainable employment for young people.
The proposal places particular emphasis on youth from the hill districts of West Bengal and minority communities. Dr. Chowdhury observed that many young people from these regions possess qualities such as compassion, discipline, sincerity, and empathy, which are essential for professional caregiving. With structured training and skill development, he believes they could become a highly competent workforce capable of serving both domestic and international healthcare sectors.
The initiative also recognizes the increasing global demand for trained caregivers. Several countries are experiencing ageing populations and expanding home healthcare requirements, creating employment opportunities for certified caregiving professionals. Dr. Chowdhury suggested that equipping West Bengal’s youth with internationally relevant caregiving skills could improve livelihoods while contributing to the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
In his communication, Dr. Chowdhury requested an appointment with the Minister at Nabanna to discuss the proposal in detail and explore possible avenues for collaboration. He also expressed the desire to felicitate Shri Bishal Lama on behalf of the Banchbo Healing Touch Foundation, Banchbo Socio-Cultural Association, and the Garia Bauddha Sanskriti Samsad (Garia Buddha Temple) in recognition of his historic achievement.
Speaking through his proposal, Dr. Chowdhury emphasized that investment in caregiver education is not merely a healthcare initiative but also a long-term social and economic strategy that can improve the quality of life of senior citizens while generating dignified employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
Dr. Dhires Kumar Chowdhury is a geriatrician, general practitioner, and social activist. He is the Founder Director of Banchbo Healing Touch Foundation, Eastern India’s first multi-speciality geriatric home healthcare service provider, and Founder President of the Banchbo Socio-Cultural Association. He also serves on several national healthcare and skill development bodies, including the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (Skill India) and the Home Care Association of India.
If implemented through collaboration between government, healthcare institutions, and skill development agencies, the proposed caregiver training initiative could contribute to strengthening eldercare services in West Bengal while opening new avenues of employment for youth in both the domestic and global healthcare sectors.
Disclaimer: This report is based on a proposal submitted by Dr. Dhires Kumar Chowdhury to the Government of West Bengal. At the time of publication, the proposal has been placed before the concerned minister for consideration, and no official government decision or approval has been announced.
