To Elders’ With Love! State Govt/Dist. Admn Celebrate ‘World Elders’ Day’

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
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To Elders’ With Love! State Govt/Dist. Admn Celebrate ‘World Elders’ Day’

To Elders’ With Love! Karnataka State Government along with District Administration; Zilla Panchayath; Women and Child Welfare Dept.; Dept. for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens; District Legal Services Authority; and various NGO’s in the city/DK celebrated ‘World Elders’ Day’ on 4 October 2017 at Nethravati Hall, Zilla Panchayat Bldg-Mangaluru. The programme which was suppose to start at 10 am, commenced at 11.30 am-Why? Read further…

Mangaluru : On the outset, before getting into the real report of the event, I want to stress on one ‘Bad Habit’ our politicians are adhere to.”COMING LATE FOR FUNCTIONS?” I guess they all follow the IST: Indian Standard Time or Indian Stretchable Time ? Like ‘Oh, It’s Ok If We’re An Hour Late’. Seriously, it is disheartening to see many Indians regardless of education, cast, creed and other exceptions are always delaying things. The irony is that we are very consistent throughout every sector in being late and procrastinating things and more often than not being proud of it. A time sustained joke “Indian Standard Time” is what we all grew up with. For years and years , as far back as we all can remember, we have heard, laughed and repeated the humor behind the words ” India Standard Time”.

Oh yes! Politicians-All of us criticize them. And why not, after all they set the example for us. They are the one who keep a congregation of hundreds or thousands of people having to just wait before their dramatic arrival – the terminology here in the word ‘time’ is an abstract form. It is never interpreted as punctuality. Whether it’s showing up at a function in time or implementing the promises in manifesto or setting up infrastructure in rural India delays are ubiquitous. The vicious cycle of babudom and the time taken in transferring files from one department to other has time and again proved to be detrimental for our country.

And for example- today’s event which was suppose to start at 10am sharp, unfortunately commenced at 11.30 am- and you know why? Chief guest District-in-charge Ramanath Rai arrived one and a half hour late- some seniors in the audience were half tired and half a sleep when he entered the hall, while a few had already left, since they couldn’t wait any longer. Surprisingly the audience predominately of seniors were at their seats well before 10 am- if our elders can follow strict time schedule, why can’t our politicians? Everyone in the audience were losing patience, they were grumbling, cursing and what not, for making them wait. One thing I don’t understand is that our netas follow most of the Western styles/habits, but why can’t they follow the strict time schedule? It’s not just Ramanath Rai, I am talking about every politicians, from ministers, MPs to MLAs-they all show up late. Is there any solution for this- only Indian Scientists have to find one?

Okay now stepping on to the real news of the day- 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.

As they say “Better Late Than Never” Karnataka State Government along with District Administration; Zilla Panchayath; Women and Child Welfare Dept.; Dept. for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens; District Legal Services Authority; and various NGO’s in the city/DK celebrated ‘World Elders’ Day’ on 4 October 2017 at Nethravati Hall, Zilla Panchayat Bldg-Mangaluru. Prior to the arrival of the chief guest and start of the formal function, a bevy of seniors entertained the audience through various songs/jokes and dances, which enthralled the gathering, and making them all go “Wow”-these vintage revelers can really act, sing and entertain, even at their golden “Young” age!

The programme began with a “Nadageethe” sung by the supervisors of Zilla Panchayath, followed by welcome address by Sunder Poojary- Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Dept. The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the traditional lamp by chief guest Minister Ramanath Rai; along with Dr Olinda Pereira-Founder, Vishwas Trust; Mallana Gowda-General Secretary of District Legal Services Authority; Ms Meenakshi Shanthigodu- President, and Ms Kasturi Panja- VP of DK Zilla Panchayat respectively; (and even though there were over dozen of guests of honor on the invitation list- from ministers, to MLA’s, District Authorities, Mayor and others- no one showed up?-how nice!)

During the occasion ten seniors citizens in various fields were felicitated namely- Dr Chandrashekar (Education); Dr Prabha Adhikari (For her care and love towards Seniors); Major Lohith Suvarna (Retd. Army Personnel); Adham Henthar ( Sahitya); T Premalatha Rao (Art); Vasudev Rai (Agriculture); K Monappa Vittal ( Social service); Obayya ( Sports); Mayila Kutharu ( Folk-Janapada); and K G Bangera ( Retd. Senior Govt. Officer)-they were all presented with a shawl, fruit basket, garland, memento and certificate by the chief guest and other dignitaries on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Ramanath Rai said, ” 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. Looking at you, all of you look still young and active, and enjoying life. That is a good sign. Because presently many people die at very young age, it is due to their lifestyle and eating habits. The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth. In India once upon a time we had joint families living happily, but times have change. Joint families are breaking up, children are neglecting their parents and elders. This has to be brought under control. The government is trying its best to look into this elders’ abuse and will provide all the assistance, support and security that elders need”.

Other dignitaries also spoke, and extended their support to the elders’ in their time of needs. Following the vote of thanks by Sri Deepu, and concluding remarks by Ms Shobha, the compere, the formal function ended with cultural extravaganza, where the Vintage revelers unleashed their hidden talents in the form of music and dance, which received loud applaud from the audience.

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