From victims to changemakers and from challenges to opportunities: Silver Synergy Summit takes a step to redefine aging.
March 29, 2025: In today’s day and age, is it correct to consider senior citizens as “dependents”? Do the most experienced members of society deserve the negative connotation attached to the terms used to refer to them? The silver economy is estimated to be worth $15 trillion globally by 2030, according to Oxford Economics and yet there is little economic focus and spotlight on the senior citizens. With India’s aging population increasing at an unprecedented rate, the Silver Synergy Summit was a forum created by the Dadidada Foundation in partnership with Senior Citizens Service Trust to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, healthcare professionals, academia, and civil society to unlock opportunities and address challenges in aging and eldercare.
While the issue in itself doesn’t receive the spotlight it deserves, the summit succeeded in garnering support in the form of 33 speakers and 15 partners including NTPC, NMDC, Camp Epic Global, NMDC, NTPC, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, ACCMAN Business School, Punjab National Bank and more.
Sh. Kalraj Mishra ji, Former Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of India and former Governor, of the Govt. of Rajasthan & Himachal Pradesh emphasized the wisdom held by India’s seniors and urged society to not only preserve but leverage these values to accelerate progress. He laid the foundation of the 4 key panel discussions that took place during the day on the potential of the silver economy, the need to reframe geriatrics, the lack of CSR investment in the field, and the importance of changing the narrative around aging.
The first of the four panels revolved around Silver Economy for the Global South, featuring notable experts from Bayer, SBI Life, FIDC, and Gramya. The discussion centered around policy and market innovations and highlighted the role of health insurance, and the need to make technology accessible for senior citizens.
The second panel focused on reframing geriatric care and focused on doctors and founders reimagining healthcare systems for elders. Panel 3 centered on CSR and Policy Shifts. Prominent voices such as Abhishek Bose, Head of Corporate at Hindustan Power, and Anupama Dutta, Head of Policy Research and Advocacy, emphasized the urgent need to tackle old-age poverty, with a special focus on the vulnerabilities faced by elderly women.
The fourth panel explored the role of media in shifting narratives — from portraying elders as victims to recognizing them as changemakers. It brought together journalists and media mentors who are working to redefine how aging is represented in public discourse.
The discussions brought to light the every-day challenges faced by senior citizens and broader systemic limitations, such as the lack of data, which limits large-scale solution implementation. Notable attendees included Prof. (Dr.) K.G. Suresh, Ravi Dadhich, Raman Agrawal, Jayram Viplav, Rakesh Shukla, and Sh Ram Bahadur Rai added depth to the discussions.
It also showcased initiatives such as digital literacy programs for seniors, efforts to serve as an “extended family” for the elderly, and various government initiatives including the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana which aims at making healthcare accessible to all. “We provide generic medicines at nearly half the price of branded alternatives—without compromising on quality. The composition, salts, and efficacy are identical. However, due to the low cost, there’s often a misconception that these medicines are inferior, which simply isn’t true” says Ravi Dadhich, CEO of PMBJP
By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders—including health tech experts, civil society representatives, the medical community, and media and communication professionals—the summit fostered meaningful dialogue on potential solutions
“The collective vision is to not just care for our elderly but to empower them—with tools, platforms, and respect. From redefining geriatric care to shaping inclusive policies, this summit is just the beginning of a national shift.” Muni Shankar Pandey, Director, Dadidada Foundation.