Live Your Life & Forget Your Age! 3 Senior Citizens Felicitated by AGE-M’luru on ‘World Elders’ Day’
Mangaluru: If you want to know how to age successfully, your best bet is to ask older adults who’ve figured out the secrets. These few wise individuals mentioned here, including our very own-Mangalorean Super Centenarian 105-year-old Michael D’souza, all of whom lived well into their later years, provide a range of witty, wise, and even practical tips for finding fulfillment, no matter what your age- like, “I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don’t have to.”-Physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955); “At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40, we don’t care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all.” -Writer/Columnist Ann Landers (1918-2002); “Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” American Writer/Activist-Betty Friedan (1921-2006)
“I had to wait 110 years to become famous. I wanted to enjoy it as long as possible.” French super centenarian who had the longest confirmed human lifespan, living to the age of 122 years, 164 days -Jeanne Louise Calment (1875-1997); ” My simple diet, active lifestyle, socializing with friends, daily prayers, and especially playing with my pet animals have kept me alive till now. The first time I had to see a doctor was on my 100th birthday, and ever since then I have been sick constantly? I trust in God, and not in Medicines. I am happy with my life so far”- 105-year-old “Super centenarian” Michael D’souza, a ex-service man, living in Mangaluru, and still employed as driver for office going woman.
These few very inspiring characterization of old age fits with the concept of “successful aging,” provides the view that it is possible to enjoy your later years in a way that exceeds your expectations. By sharing these wise, witty, and insightful quotes, I hope I’ve inspired you to think more positively about your own aging and to gain a better perspective on ways to live as productively and as long as you can. For the fact, as people get older, they move away from the egocentric concerns of youth to the more realistic perceptions of midlife and older adults, who realize that they are not the center of the universe. As a result, older adults are free to do what they want, not constrained by what they construe to be the opinions of others. Happy belated wishes of “World Elders’ Day!”, which was observed on 1 October.
1st October is celebrated as the International Day for Elderly People each year, started for the first time on October 1st in the year 1991 to aware the people about issues which affects the elders as well as to appreciate their contribution towards the society. The day is celebrated every year to make certain the welfare of elder persons as well as to enroll their significant involvement in the society to get promoted from their knowledge and ability. It is also celebrated worldwide to examine issues, promote public awareness and focus on which type of behavior can help older men and women throughout their life. By observing this day people are getting encouraged about their responsibilities towards the lives of elder people to make their life better and happy by analyzing all the problems affecting the life of older people.
Here in the City, “World Elders’ Day’ was celebrated by AGE (Action Group of Elders) -Mangaluru on Tuesday, 1st October 2019 at Roshini Nilaya, Mangaluru at 3 pm. The programme began with a prayer, followed by welcome address by Zahid Hussain Baji-the President of AGE. After the report of activities read by Age Secretary-M S Kamath, it was time to felicitate Three Senior Citizens, namely- Ms Laxmi Rao Aroor- AGE life Member, a Social worker and wife of Late Shankar Rao Aroor, owner of Shankar Vittal Motors Pvt Ltd, Mangaluru; F M Lobo- a pro-Musician and Director of Lobo’s River View Resort, Mangaluru; and Harekala Hajabba- a social worker and Educationist.
The felicitations for these three Senior Citizens were done by the Chief guest Ms Hilda Rayappan-Director of Prajna Counselling Centre, Mangaluru; along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Zahid Hussain Baji- President; Ms Shameem Kunil-Vice President, Ms M S Kamath- Secretary, Ms Sandra Mudarth-Jt Secretary and Mark Saldanha- Treasurer of Age-Mangaluru. Addressing the gathering, Chief guest Ms Rayappan said, ” Your active lifestyle has made you reach so far, and I feel proud to say because these days people die young due to lack of exercised and healthy eating life style. To you all ‘young’ folks out there I say,”Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength. Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it. Aging has a wonderful beauty and we should have respect for that.”.
“Organizations like AGE, give you an opportunity to keep you active and have fun, therefore make sure you avail all the opportunities. Also keep God close to you, because without God’s support and blessing no one can succeed in life. I feel proud to stand on this stage since I am a alumni of Roshni Nilaya, and what I am today is because of my Alma Mater. Feel happy to see you all in full of enthusiasm and charisma, and continue to live in the same manner. Don’t fear of old-age, because You are still young, and enjoy life- May God bless you all!” added Ms Rayappan.
Mementos were presented to the dignitaries, and also all the NGO’s and Senior Citizen’s Associations were presented with food gifts by the Ladies of .Inner Wheel Club, under the guidance of Ms Shameem Kunil, in association with AGE, Mangaluru. Following vote of thanks by Edmund Frank-the executive member of AGE, and also the compere of the programme, it was time for the Vintage revelers from couple of old-age homes to unleash their hidden talents in the form of music and dance, which received loud applaud from the audience. Who said Elders can’t entertain?