Past Events

Plenary Session - 12th Annual Conference of Indian Health Economics and Policy Association (IHEPA)

Title: A Review of Wellbeing Measurements: Reflections, Challenges, and Possibilities for India
Date: 22^nd January 2025
Venue: India International Centre, Delhi, India

Chair: Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chairman, Pahle India Foundation, New Delhi
Co-chair: Dr. Raghunatha Rao Dharmapuri, Former Scientist F & HoD, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad

Discussants:

1.  Prof. T.V. Sekher, Professor, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai
2. Prof. Udaya Shankar Mishra, Professor, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai
3. Prof. Achin Chakraborty, Professor and Director, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata
4. Dr. Sunil Rajpal, Director, CRWBH, FLAME University, Pune

Abstract: The plenary session explored the evolving discourse on wellbeing measurement in India, emphasizing the need to move beyond GDP and incorporate subjective, psychological, and cultural dimensions. Drawing from diverse disciplines, speakers reflected on normative challenges, data interpretation, and the importance of contextualizing wellbeing within India’s social fabric. The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) was highlighted as a key resource for measuring life satisfaction, social engagement, and perceived health. Discussions underscored the role of value judgments in constructing indices and the need to capture lived experiences. The session called for a nationally grounded, multidimensional framework that reflects the aspirations and realities of Indian citizens.’