Vintage Revelers Celebrate Launch of Senior Citizens Welfare Assn.-Bejai Parish

Vintage Revelers Celebrate Launch of Senior Citizens Welfare Assn.-Bejai Parish

Mangaluru: Quoting “Ageing is not ‘lost youth’, but a new stage of opportunity” by Betty Freidman; “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not matter” by 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” by Henry Ford; and a funny one, “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her” by Agatha Christie- all I can say is that there is no age limit when you are capable of having some fun and want to party and unleash the youth power hidden in you- and there is nothing wrong with that! If former US President George Bush can sky-dive on his 90th birthday, and Mangalorean 102 years old Michael D’souza can still drive a car at 80 kmph in a 60 kmph speed zone – I bet these vintage folks too can achieve great things at their present age!

And these nearly 100 senior citizens in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s assembled at the St Xavier’s Church -Bejai Hall for the launching of the new initiative “Senior Citizens Welfare Association knew how to party hard and have fun and frolic. Even though they all looked old, but they were all active, full of enthusiasm and were all ready to bring back the power of their younger days. An idea of starting a new senior citizens association put forth by Edmond Frank was finally materialized during a couple of meetings, and the inauguration day was held on Wednesday, 18 January 2017 at 5.30 pm. I was very much touched by mingling and communicating with many of these senior citizens, sharing their views and news, which also brought back memories of my beloved parents who left for their Heavenly abode due to old-age, years back.

The main intention is starting this association was to retain the good old days of Mangalorean Catholic culture, tradition and heritage; and also to work for the welfare of senior citizens of Bejai parish. Membership is open to all Bejai Parish Senior Citizens who have completed the age of 60 years- and they can enroll themselves by paying a one-time life-membership fee of Rs 500. For more details, you can contact the president of the Association Juliet ‘Pereira’ Mascarenhas at 9448623426 or Vice President Ronnie Fernandes at 9886728712 or Secretary Maisee D’Souza at 9448008644. The Association will meet once a month on the Third Thursday of every month at 5 pm.

The inauguration ceremony began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by a committee member, Felcy Almeida, followed by welcome address by Juliet Mascarenhas. Secretary Maisee D’Souza gave a brief introduction of the birth of the association and its aims to benefit the senior citizens of the Bejai church. The association was inaugurated by lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest, Rev Fr Wilson Vitus D’souza, along with other dignitaries on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Wilson said, ” If you look at some of the eminent persons in the world of medicine, sports, technology, education etc, they are all senior citizens. So to achieve the success you still can do it at old age also. You all look ‘pretty young’ although you are ‘pretty old’, but you can still bring out the power of your younger days by involving in many co-curricular activities that this association will offer you- avail all the opportunities when you still have chances. Spend some of your hard earned money, by taking a break from your hectic lifestyle by planning a leisure and fun filled outing/picnic. Remember that you may be old, but you can still do what you did when you were young. Best of luck and all success to the association”.

During the occasion, the 60th birthday of Treasurer of the Association Eric Coelho was celebrated along with “Happy Occasions” of other members who celebrate their birthdays, Anniversaries, etc during the month of January. The ceremony was comprised of a couple of contests, both for men and women. For men they were given 20 coconut leaves, where they had to shave off the leaves within 10 minutes to make broomstick pieces; For women, they had to quickly make a jasmine flower arrangement using banana stem fibre. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes, and in the men contest, they were ‘unofficially’ declared as members of Aam Admi Party for their broom creation? Coconut leaves were arranged by Eric Coelho, while the jasmine flowers were sponsored by member Austin D’souza. The proceedings of the contests were compered using few witty punchlines by Ronnie Fernandes, the VP of the Association.

Talk about swinging your wrinkled body at the vintage age of 60- and this man and lady surprised the audience with their dance grooves- Juliet Mascarenhas and Eric Coelho did some jive and swing dancing to a Konkani dance number, proving to the younger generation that they too can dance at age of 60. Adviser to the association Oswald Rodrigues made some announcements as to where the seniors can join in some fun, sports and seminars organized by other associations. The vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Secretary Connie Saldanha. Everyone enjoyed a fun-filled evening and headed back home with smiley and happy faces.

The office bearers of Senior Citizens Welfare association are Juliet ‘Pereira’ Mascarenhas-President; Ronnie Fernandes- Vice President; Maisee D’Souza- Secretary; Connie Saldanha- Joint secretary; Eric Coelho- Treasurer; Oswald Rodrigues- Adviser. Committee members include- Stany Vas (also the Vice president of Bejai Parish Council); Renee Fernandes; Gilbert D’Souza; Capt. Alwyn Pinto; Austin D’Souza; Felcy Almeida; Sybil Pinto; Sylvester Pinto; Concept Noronha; Anthony Dias; Clarissa Fernandes;

In conclusion, my perspective on ‘Achieving Your Dreams After 60’- I think you all can do it if you have Passion, Perspective on Life, and Persistence. Getting older is inevitable, but ageing isn’t. You still can accomplish in various fields of Art, entertainment, sports, social causes etc.- all it takes is determination, commitment and dedication. Many of you seniors may face daunting obstacles, but you still can accomplish your goals by sheer will and determination do not give up. “Triumphant ageing,” is a counter perspective to the pervasive negative beliefs about ageing. Do you, your relatives or friends have untapped potentials or abandoned dreams? If so, consider what English Poet George Elliot said: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” Happy Ageing!”