Active ‘Young’ Members celebrate 25th Anniversary of ‘M’luru Probus Club’

Active ‘Young’ Members celebrate 25th Anniversary of ‘M’luru Probus Club’

During an interaction when a debate on the issue of ‘Life After Death’ was held, a 75-year-old man popped up from his seat and declared ” I don’t know for sure where’ll go after I die; but If I go to Heaven, the First thing I would do is to seek out the address of the Probus Club over there and join it. On the other hand, if I were sent to Hell, I would organize a Probus Club underground and try to ease the suffering of the hapless folks down there?”

Mangaluru: “Come, grow old with me, The best is yet to be!”- It is the spirit behind these immortal lines that seems to enliven Probus Clubs in all places around the World, including Mangaluru. For Probians, growing old just means maturing-and a rewarding experience at that. Retirement can come too early for many people who want and are able to remain active. Probus clubs are organisations for men and women who have retired from their profession or business and want to maintain a social network with others who have similar interests. Each Probus club is sponsored by a Rotary club and meets at least once a month for fellowship and to hear guest speakers. Today, there are over 300,000 members in approximately 4,000 Probus Clubs worldwide.

Rotary clubs typically approach retired or semi-retired candidates in their community and organise the formation of a club. Once established, the club becomes an autonomous organisation and its members take over leadership. Since 1985, the Rotary International Board has encouraged Rotary clubs to initiate projects that address the needs of a growing senior (over age 60) population. Probus clubs were first formed, as an acronym for Pro (fessional) and Bus (iness), in the early 1920’s in Saskatchewan, Canada, and in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A., the latter devoted to helping people with mental retardation, physical disabilities, and autism.

In 1974, Probus expanded into New Zealand and by 1976 the idea had spread to Australia. The first Probus club for seniors in North America was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada in 1987. Although Probus membership has its greatest concentrations in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, clubs today exist in all parts of the world, including the U.S., Belgium, India, South Africa and several other countries in Africa and Asia. And in Mangaluru, the Probus Club was launched in 1991, with the initiative taken by Rotary Club of Mangaluru, where Rotarians Abdul Rehman Kunil and late Sanjeeva Bhandary had played a pivotal role in it and has been growing from strength to strength ever since, and on Sunday, 12 March 2017 celebrated its 25th Anniversary with pride and joy.

Ever since its establishment in the year 1991, Probus Club-Mangaluru has been endeavouring to inject the joy of living into its members – they organize guest-talks; organize picnics and outings; play indoor games like Housie Housie in which women are always the winners; make visits to old-age homes and orphanages; organize social gatherings and so on. Probus Clubs is not a service organisation and is non-sectarian and non-political, although members are largely active volunteers in many community organisations. Clubs are formed to provide social events and schedule speakers to keep members up to date with community issues and happenings. Many members have formed smaller interest groups for hobbies such as sports, entertainment, bridge playing, fishing, travel, computers, etc.

While numerous individual members regularly offer assistance with area community service projects, Probus Clubs pride themselves on their independence and freedom from the responsibilities of a service club. The structure of the clubs is simple, and members are not required to attend a minimum number of meetings. Probus clubs have no central governing body but Probus Centers have been established internationally by country to disseminate information and assist clubs. Offices are staffed largely by volunteers and operating costs are met by member contributions.So if you area a senior and interested in joining the Probus Club give a call to the President at: 0824-2436473 or 9449237933.

The Silver Anniversary Celebration of Probus Club began with an invocation by members Madonna Fernandes and Zeeta Farias, followed by a welcome dance by thes tudents of Roshini Nilaya. A one minute silence was observed to pay respect to the departed souls of the club members. Ruby Lobo, President of Probus Club-Mangaluru welcomed the gathering and also thanked the members and well-wishers for raising the Club to greater heights. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by chief guest Dr Olinda Pereira- Founder of Vishwas Trust and Founder Principal of Roshini Nilaya, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Ruby Lobo, Maisie D’Souza and Elsie Rebello-the President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Club respectively.

In her speech, Dr Olinda Pereira said, “It’s nice to note that Probus Club is giving an opportunity for the seniors to interact with each other and also involve in some fun activities. Like all phases of life, senior years can come with their challenges. However, the difficult and unpleasant aspects of ageing should not overshadow all the wonderful parts of growing old. It may surprise some, but studies show that seniors are among the happiest groups of people and that they are significantly more happy than their middle-aged counterparts. Another reason seniors may also be happier is because age means that they are “more comfortable being themselves. Retirement isn’t inherently joyful or relaxing – it’s how that time is used that makes it special. One of the best parts of retirement is spending more time with family, friends and other loved ones, and also at clubs like Probus”.

It’s never too late to be what you might have become. The time gained during retirement is an excellent opportunity to pursue dreams and passions that you might have put on hold. Growing old provides a sense of broader perspective, and it often makes people inclined to focus much of their efforts and energy towards bettering society and creating a better world for future generations. Older people often have a healthy sense of pride that comes from their accomplishments. These accomplishments needn’t be great feats. Seemingly ordinary achievements like raising a healthy and happy child, being happily married, serving in the defence of the nation, or retiring from a job in good-standing after years of dedicated service, can be the foundation of a pleasant contentment in old age” added Dr Olinda.

Dr Olinda was felicitated during the occasion with a shawl, flower bouquet and memento. Four other persons were also felicitated namely – Rtn Abdul Rehman Kunil, Norbert Moras-the Founder President of Probus Club-Mangaluru; Sunanda Kini and Gilbert D’Silva (both senior most members of PC). The introduction of these four persons was done by Edil Gonsalves, Felix Sequiera, Malcolm B and Irene Pais respectively. The introduction of Dr Olinda was done by Dr Joseph. President and Secretary of various Rotary Clubs that attended the function were also presented with a flower bouquet for their continued support towards PC. The newly designed Probus Club banner was also unveiled during the occasion. The vote of thanks was delivered by Elsie Rebello, which was followed by a dance performance by the students of Roshini Nilaya.

In conclusion, let me end this column with few jokes related to ‘old-timers’ and let’s keep the seniors laughing and happy all the time. Long Live the Old-Timers’!

1) On the first day at the new seniors complex, the manager addressed all the new seniors pointing out some of the rules: “The female sleeping quarters will be out-of-bounds for all males and the male quarters to the females. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined Rs 100 the first time.” He continued, “Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time will be fined Rs 200. Being caught a third time will cost you a fine of Rs 300. Are there any questions?” An older gentleman stood up in the crowd and inquired: “How much for a season pass ???

2) Three old men are talking about their aches, pains and bodily dysfunctions. One seventy-five-year-old man says, “I have this problem. I wake up every morning at seven and it takes me twenty minutes to pee.” An eighty-year-old man says, “My case is worse. I get up at eight and I sit there and grunt and groan for half an hour before I finally have a bowel movement.” The ninety-year-old man says, “At seven I pee like a horse, at eight I crap like a cow.” “So what’s your problem?” asked the others. “I don’t wake up until nine.”

3) A young woman on a flight from Ireland asked older Priest beside her, ‘Father, may I ask a favour?’ ‘Of course my child. What may I do for you?’ ‘Well, I bought an expensive woman’s electronic hair dryer for my mother’s birthday that is unopened and well over the Customs Limits, and I’m afraid they’ll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?’

The entire programme was compered by Ms Leena Fernandes- Deputy Secretary of PC.

The priest answered: ‘I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie.’ ‘With your honest face, Father, no one will question you.’ When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The Official asked, ‘Father, do you have anything to declare?’ ‘From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare.’ The official thought this answer strange, so asked, ‘And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?’ ‘I have a marvellous instrument designed to be used on women, but which is, to date, unused.’ Roaring with laughter, the official said, ‘Go ahead, Father. Next!’

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