I am delighted to be the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Function of the 57^th National and 26^th International Conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP), organized by the Department of Clinical Psychology, Mizoram University.

This Conference is the culmination of the enormous efforts of the esteemed members of IAAP and the organizing committee. IAAP is one of the few professional bodies in India dedicated to the field of Psychology and its applications in various aspects of our lives. Since its establishment in 1962, we have witnessed the significant contributions of IAAP in promoting, advancing, and diffusing knowledge of Psychology, and in setting up a high standard of professional education and knowledge. Psychology plays an important role in our society. Its importance is increasing more and more with the constant growth of society. 

              Psychology covers a wide range of mental, emotional and behavioural problems. It is related to physical health, and deals with the prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of complex human issues. Psychology provides therapeutic services which are based on different varieties of methodologies and scientific approaches. Various public healthcare and other social service organizations are now collaborating with more and more psychologists. Psychological issues include seemingly small problems like relationship conflict and work stress, which, if not properly redressed, can lead to serious and chronic diseases. 

Today, the importance of psychologists is accepted on a much more prominent scale. Psychologists are engaged not only in mental health and healthcare settings, but also in schools, courts, governments, militaries, etc.

Due to Covid situation in many States, infact throughout the world, schools are closed and students are subjected to online courses.  As students are not attending classes they are not able to mingle with friends and participate in physical activities, which have a great physical and psychology impact on them.  This issue needs to be added and deliberated in this Conference.  

I am sure that this Conference will see meaningful discussions, yield constructive results and will help to reach some concrete suggestions, which will help the policy makers to further foster development of health psychology in the country. 

I am also sure that the scientific and thematic sessions during the Conference will facilitate an open dialogue between individuals, organizations, and Government in translating small efforts into big impacts, and will add substantially to our fight against COVID-19.

I hope that this Conference will meet the aspirations of the scientific community to the fullest. 

I wish the Conference great success.

Jai Hind !