Old is Gold! AGE-M’lore Honours 5 Members grown ‘WISE’ and 80 Years ‘YOUNG’!
Mangaluru: The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young. The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquility of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth. The old are in a second childhood. When we’re young we have faith in what is seen, but when we’re old we know that what is seen is traced in air and built on water. No one wishes to grow old, to outlive their illusions. Only a short respite from cares and sorrow, a brief time of flowers, and music, and love, and laughter, and ecstatic tears. When we look at all the “Young” seniors who are the active members of Action Group for Elderly (AGE), one can say that there is active life in old age too.
The Age-Mangaluru NGO was established in the year 1997 with the main object of working towards the benefits of Senior Citizens especially those who are not well placed in the Society. Mainly to affiliate, amalgamate, reconstruct, co-operation and bring together the various Societies, institutions, which are working on concerns of the elderly and to promote co-operation and co-ordination amongst them. To mobilize elderly citizens towards social causes as paraprofessionals. To organize conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations and lectures to further the cause of welfare of the elderly without caste and creed. And today, the committee members felicitated thirteen of their members who were 80 plus, with a shawl, fruit basket and memento.
Prior to the felicitations, the programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song by Sandra Mudarth, followed by the welcome address by Zahid Hussain Baji- president of Age-Mangaluru. Other members seated on the dais were the chief guest- Er Jerardin D’Souza- Founder of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association, and popularly known as the “Selfie-Man”; Rita Rodrigues- Secretary, and Mark Saldanha-Treasurer. The Five seniors felicitated by the chief guest were: Marceline Fernandes (80); Benito Huddleston (80); Leena Huddleston (80); Kamalakshi Soans (80); and Tara Hema Chandra (80).
While receiving the felicitations, all the Five vintage revelers were beaming with pride and AGE brought miles of smiles on their faces. AGE also felicitated Chief Guest Er Jeradin Dsouza with a shawl, fruit basket and memento, for his selfless contribution towards the Seniors and M A A. In his address to the audience, Er Jeradin D’Souza said, “I feel blessed to be amidst you all, and I want to tell you that you all are Chief Guests and I am just a guest. Looking at the enthusiasm and charisma in all of you, it looks like there is fun and life even at the vintage age. AGE is doing a marvelous job in providing a platform for all you young persons to unleash your talents, also giving you a scope to strengthen your health and lifestyle through various activities and exercises”.
“As they say that “Ageing is not ‘lost youth’, but a new stage of opportunity and strength”- there is no age limit when you are capable of having some fun and want to party- even senior citizens know how to party hard and have fun and frolic. In today’s civilized social structure, it is disturbing to see a trend of senior citizens being deprived of their comforts, particularly by children being indifferent to their aged parents at a time when the parents need parental care most. But some service-minded organizations like AGE and Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association have come forward to render their yeoman service in giving comfort, advice and love to these old-age citizens, to keep them active, occupied and healthy. I have been very much associated and communicating with many of these senior citizens, sharing their views and news-these seniors need someone to talk to and give them company to overcome their old-age depression. If you need any help MAA is always there, and I will be at your service” added Er Jerardin.
There were prizes for lucky persons attending the function, done through a lucky draw, and members celebrating their birthdays during the month of January were also recognized and presented with a candy. The formal function was followed by entertainment, comprising of few jokes and songs. The vote of thanks was delivered M S Kamath- Jt Secretary and the function was compered by Rita Rodrigues.
AGE-Mangaluru arranges every month some lecture programmes to their members to educate them in medical, legal, social and health etc. by calling eminent speakers. They have the annual function “World Elders Day” when they invite inmates of several old age homes and bring them at NGO cost to the venue of the function and entertain them thus bringing some cheer to their otherwise monotonous living. They celebrate National functions such as Independence Day and Republic Day. And have the annual picnic for their members. Periodically they also visit Old age homes with some gifts to the inmates of the ashrams in Mangaluru and outskirts of the City. So all you old-timers if you feel like you are still young, then join AGE- Mangaluru and make the best use of your old-age through fun activities at this NGO. Call the President at 9845249369 or the Secretary at 9845888748
While concluding, I personally feel, Age-Mangaluru is doing extraordinary work. I appeal to all the ‘younger’ people to support this NGO which is doing yeomen task towards the elderly, and realize the ‘worth’ of these Elders, Our Elders, and see that their ‘Energy’ is used properly. They have lots to ‘give’ and it’s every body’s ‘duty’ to utilize this mature, experienced and Wise Energy. YES, our Elders deserve the ‘RESPECT’ that they have ‘EARNED’. Let us be a little more sensitive and be a little more polite and respectful, They ‘Don’t Ask Much’, give them their ‘Senior Citizens Seats” in buses, give preference in Queues and simple small acts like these will suffice-..”OLD is indeed GOLD”. Show them that you care and love them, entertain them when you can, and make them happy. You’ll be truly blessed.
