Vintage Revelers of ‘KMC Nava Chaitanya’ Celebrate I-Day in Zest and their Best!
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 ladies and men in the age of 60 plus and above swinging their 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 Independence Day Celebrations held on 16 August 2018 at KMC Sanjeevini Hall, Attavar, Mangaluru. The I-Day celebration was held a day since it coincided with Nagarapanchami feast. These Vintage Revelers” simply rocked and enthralled the audience.
Everyone celebrates India’s Independence Day, but here at KMC-Nava Chaitanya, there is a Difference- for the fact that the Elders as Young as 60-80 years can Dance, Sing, Act, Joke and Thrill you with no end. A rare and emotional I-Day 2018 was celebrated with zest and zeal by the “Young elders” of KMC -Nava Chaitanya during the I-Day bash, who unleashed their hidden talents at their BEST!. The energetic vintage revelers 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 – KMC Navachaitanya Indeed a health promoting Day Care Centre for Elderly People.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by K N Manjunath – the president of KMC Nava Chaitanya. Inauguration of the programme by lighting the lamp was done by Chief Guest- Harishchandra -Chief Security Officer, MAHE-Mangaluru Campus, and former SP of DK, along with other dignitaries on the dais, the guests of honor-Dr Shyam Krishnan-Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy, KMC; Ms Mariella D’souza- Selection Grade Lecturer in Psychiatric Social work, Roshni Nilaya School of Social work, Mangaluru; and K N Manjunath and Ms Tressy Pinto- President and Secretary respectively of KMC Navachaitanya.
Addressing the gathering Dr Shyam Krishnan said that he was unnerved in the presence of huge achievers to be the chief guest, yet would love to grow old with these members. He 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, he said. “You’re never too old to exercise! It’s a necessary part of maintaining good health at any age. And while the natural process of growing older can bring a decrease in energy and strength as well as a host of conditions and diseases that can make exercising more difficult, there are many ways that caregivers can help seniors of every age keep fit. Exercise minimizes age-related losses in bone density and muscle mass while it helps to keep the heart and lungs strong. It can also help to improve balance and prevent falls, boost immunity, help promote better sleep, fight depression, decrease stress, and increase self-esteem. Clearly, the benefits of regular exercise for seniors are multifold. So keep doing what you’re all doing, and stay healthy and fit at KMC Navachaitanya facility” added Dr Shyam.
Chief guest Harishchandra addressing the gathering said, ” I am happy to be with you all young seniors, and I know that someday I too will be in the same boat? I have great respect for seniors, like when I was in SP’s post, I always instructed my officers to provide a chair for seniors when they come to my office. Several great freedom fighters had struggled and spent their whole life only for getting freedom. We can never forget the sacrifices of the Bhagat Singh, Khudi Ram Bose and Chandra Sekhar Azad who had lost their lives in their early age just for fighting for their country. How can we ignore all the struggles of Netaji and Gandhiji. Gandhiji was a great Indian personalities who taught Indians a big lesson of non-violence. He was the one and only who lead India to get freedom with the help of non-violence. Finally the result of long years of struggle came in front on 15th of August 1947 when India got freedom. And we all are enjoying our freedom from the hands of Britishers”
“But sadly even after 72 years of Independence, India is lacking behind in many aspects, including hatred and violence among communities and religions. We should not allow this to go further, instead we all should unite and work together to take India to greater heights, and make it one of the best nations in the world. It won’t be hard, if we make up our mind with strong dedication, commitment and sacrifice we can bring a change to the existing India, and make it a Better and Safer India to live” added Harishchandra. The annual report was read by president KN Manjunath, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Tressy Pinto. Ms Vani Jayaram-the VP and M S Kamath-the secretary also graced the occasion. The programme was compered by Jyothi Ravindra and Susheela S Rao, members of KMC Navachaitanya.
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. Everyone danced as “much as they could ” and in sheer fun, and Freedom was celebrated in all its dimensions. The rare and energetic celebrations, cutting across all divides halted after devoutly and proudly singing the national anthem. Kudos should go to Narmada- an ECG Technician at KMC Attavar for her excellent choreography and direction in getting these “artists” give their best performances. A job well done, Narmada!
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 organizations like KMC Chaitanya and Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association have come forward to render their yeoman service in giving comfort, advice and love to these old-age citizens.
I end this column with a witty poem on “Tension” contributed to Mangalorean.com by Ms Lilly Veigas of KMC Nava Chaitanya –
“The moment you are in ‘Tension’, you will lose your ‘Attention’.
Then you are in total ‘Confusion’, And you will feel ‘Irritation’.
Then you will spoil your personal ‘Relation’. Ultimately you won’t get ‘Co-operation’.
Then your BP will rise-“CAUTION”. Instead understand the ‘Situation’.
And try to think about a ‘Solution’. And do not think it’s free ‘Suggestion’.
It is only for your ‘Prevention’. If you understand my ‘Intention’.
You will never encounter anymore ‘Tension’.
