Sare Jahan Se Accha….’Republic Day Celebrations’ by KMC Navachaitanya was ‘Bahut Accha’!
Sare Jahan Se Accha….’Republic Day Celebrations’ by KMC Navachaitanya-Attavar was ‘Bahut Accha’! at KMC-Sushrutha Hall, Attavar, Mangaluru on Saturday, 26 January 2019
Mangaluru: “Ageing is not ‘lost youth’, but a new stage of opportunity and strength”- Betty Freidman; ” Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not matter”- Mark Twain; “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young”- Henry Ford-these thought-provoking quotes by eminent persons show that there is no age limit when you are capable of having some fun and want to party. Imagine a 80 year old lady swinging her body, and a couple other grandmas/grandpas lifting their legs and shaking their hips to few popular Bollywood tunes. Imagine a teeth-less 79 year-old “young damsel” singing and enthralling the audience with her best solo performance, all that and much more talents were unleashed at the Kasturba Medical College Nava Chaitanya Republic Day Celebrations held on Saturday 26 January 2019 at KMC-Sushrutha Hall, Attavar, Mangaluru. These Vintage Revellers” simply rocked and enthralled the audience.
Everyone celebrates India’s Republic Day, but here at KMC-Nava Chaitanya, there is a Difference- for the fact that the Elders as Young as 75-85 years can Dance, Sing, Act, Joke and Thrill you with no end. A rare and emotional Republic Day 2019 was celebrated with zest and zeal by the “Young elders” of KMC – Nava Chaitanya during the Republic day bash organized by KMC-Nava Chaitanya. The energetic “Youth” ranging from 60 years to 85 years in age, rejoiced with radiant inner energy. They danced, sang, joked, recited freedom poems, and performed skits, putting the teenagers way behind. The credit for all the activeness of all these grandmas and grandpas should go to Dr. Prabha Adhikari, the founder of KMC -Nava Chaitanya and the Soul of the movement – Indeed a health-promoting group for senior citizens.
Yes, the Seniors know how to be punctual – An energetic gathering of Seniors of Nava Chaitanya assembled at the KMC Hall in time, and the programme began at 10 am sharp with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by Dr Ms Anasuya Salian and Ms Kusuma N Rao, followed by welcome address/Annual Report by Surendra Bekal- the president of KMC Nava Chaitanya. Inauguration of the programme by lighting the lamp was done by Chief Guest- Dr Meenakshi Shetty, Associate Professor, KMC Hospital, Attavar, Mangaluru, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely Guests of honour-Ms Vijayalakshmi Rao-Managing Director, Srinivas Group of Colleges & Hotels, Mangaluru; Surendra Bekal-President and Ms B S Jyothi Ravindra- Secretary of Nava Chaitanya respectively.
Addressing the gathering Ms Premalatha said that she was unnerved in the presence of huge achievers to be the chief guest, yet would love to grow old with these members, as she herself has joined the KMC Navachaitanya group, even though she is not 60? She complimented the yeoman service and care that is provided by KMC Chaitanya to its members, who are able to keep their life healthy through exercises and diet. Seeing all these young members in their vintage age who were active, means there is still fun in life at an older age, she said, and extended her gratitude to Dr Prabha Adhikari, for founding this organization.
Dr Meenakshi Shetty addressing the gathering said, “We need to compliment and thank my teacher Dr Prabha Adhikari for her initiative is starting KMC Navachaitanya, which was KMC Abhaya Ashraya when started. It is nice to note that KMC Nava Chaitanya provides health benefits for senior citizens, and presently around 800 senior citizens are regularly exercising at this organization. Around 80% of Indian senior citizens suffer chronic diseases whereas around 30 % suffer one or the other diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes. You all should take active part in co-curricular activities, act or dance to show unity and energy. Exercise and yoga will keep you fit, and I am happy to note that you all are happy, active and healthy. Keep up the good work that you all are entrusted with. You are still young, but not old”.
A bag comprising of fruits were donated to Abhaya Ashram by KMC Navachaitanya. Lucky winners among the guests were presented with gifts. The vote of thanks was proposed by Secretary Ms B S Jyothi Ravinra, while Ms Rita Rodrigues compered the formal part; and Ms Kusuma N Rao compered cultural part of the ceremony. M S Kamath the in-coming president of KMC Navachaitanya was florally welcomed by the current president. Following the formal programme, the cultural entertainment kicked-off with various performances in the form of singing, dancing and skit showcased by the members of Chaitanya. There were 16 various performances, and every one of them enthralled the audience. These vintage revelers simply rocked the hall. The rare and energetic celebrations, cutting across all divides halted after devoutly and proudly singing the national anthem. 
Concluding with my perspective, 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. It is to look after such orphaned aged persons and also those senior citizens who need help managing their health, that some service-minded organization like KMC Chaitanya has come forward to render their yeoman service in giving comfort, advice and love to these old-age citizens.
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On the occasion of 70th Republic Day celebration, I end this report with the patriotic lyrics of “Sare Jahan Se Accha” song on Youtube:
