Vintage Revellers Rock at ‘World Elders’ Day’ hosted by KMC Nava Chaitanya/Lions Club
Vintage Revellers Rock at ‘World Elders’ Day’ celebrations hosted by KMC Nava Chaitanya and Lions & Lioness Club of Mangaluru Main, held at KMC Sushrutha Hall-Attavar, Mangaluru on 2 October 2017.
Mangaluru: Old is Gold!-that’s right.We don’t believe age is any more than a mere number. Not with these smooth party “young” ladies and men on the floor. Look at them go! Even in the glorious age of white hair and senior citizen discounts, their inner children are not only alive and well, they’re shaking things up too… literally. They are getting with the groove, boogey-ing, dancing well, singing oldies, and having some fun and frolic. All this and much more talents unleashed by the lovable, cute and enthusiastic young “Seniors” was witnessed by the gathering assembled for the “World Elders Day” and “Gandhi Jayanthi” celebrations hosted by KMC Nava Chaitanya-a Day care Centre for the elderly People located inside KMC Hospital-Attavar, in association with Lion and Lioness Club-Mangaluru Main chapter, on 2 October 2017 at KMC “Sushrutha” Hall-Attavar. The hall simply reverberated!
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. Imagine a 70 year old lady swinging her body to a Bollywood tune, and a couple other grandmas and Grandpas lifting their legs and shaking their hips to Bollywood dance hits. Imagine a teeth-less 69 year-old “young damsel” singing and enthralling the audience with her best solo performance, few others old timers cracking some jokes- made everyone feel that even older folks have the capacity to rock the world with their talents in their vintage years. “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” had said George Bernard Shaw. These “Young” bunch were proved to be exceptionally talented, having some fun and laughing throughout the programme- Truly “Vintage Revellers” !
NGOs like KMC Nava Chaitanya, AGE-Mangaluru, Abhaya Ashraya and Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association are doing one heckuva job caring and entertaining the seniors, thereby keeping them healthy, active and happy. “World Elders Day” is dedicated to honor, respect and care for the world’s elderly. In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st as the International Day for the Elderly, also known as the International Day for Older persons. The Day has become an annual event around the world, with various activities organized in commemoration of contributions of older persons. And here in Mangaluru, KMC Nava Chaitanya has been organizing great events, seminars and training for the older people, which needs to be commended by everyone.
The programme with a prayer invoking God’s blessings, followed by welcome address by Ms Kusuma N Rao- President of KMC Nava Chaitanya. The duo celebrations was inaugurated by Chief Guest- dr Damodhar Shenoy- Prf. and HOD of Medicine, KMC Mangaluru; along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Lioness Nancy Mascarenhas- President, Lioness Club Mangalore Main; Ms Mariolla D’souza- Councillor Psychiatry -KMC; Ln Ananda Attavar-Secretary, Lions Club MM; Ln Hema Rao- Jt Secretary, Lions Club MM; Dr Sheetal Raj- Asst. Prof. of Medicine-KMC and director of Nava Chaitanya; among board members of KMC Nava Chaitanya.
Four Senior Citizens namely Dr Anusuya Salian, her husband B T Salian, Zahid Hussain Baji- all members of KMC Nava Chaitanya; and Baby Shenoy- a resident of KMC Abhaya Ashraya were felicitated during the occasion. In response, B T Salian and Zahid H Baji appreciating the felicitations on them, thanked KMC Nava Chaitanya for giving them new life, better health and long life, through various activities and exercises done there. Addressing the gathering, Mariolla D’souza said, ” The theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2017 is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.” This year’s day is about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large. It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.”
“By 2030, the number of people aged 60 and above will exceed that of young people aged 15 to 24. Stepping into the future with pledges that no one will be left behind, it is starkly evident that the need to tap into the often overlooked and under-appreciated contributions of older persons is not only essential to older persons’ well-being, but also imperative for sustainable development processes. I am confident that the 2017 theme will explore effective means of promoting and strengthening the participation of older persons in various aspects of social, cultural, economic and civic and political life. And for that matter KMC Navachaitanya is doing one heckuva job by transforming older folks into younger folks through co-curricular activities, exercises, healthy life styles etc. Long live the elders” added Mariolla.
Lioness Nancy Mascarenhas also speaking said, ” Lions and Lioness Club is always proud to be associated with KMC Nava Chaitanya, and we want to help the organization whichever way is possible for us. Aging gracefully is one thing, but trying to slow it down is another. There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. Women sit or move to and fro, some are old, some young. The young are beautiful – but the old are more beautiful than the young. To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent–that is to triumph over old age. Looking at you all here, I don’t think you look old, but look young, energetic and cheerful- Hats off to KMC Nava Chaitanya for bringing a change in you. May God bless you all”.
Chief guest Dr Damodhar Shenoy addressing the audience said, ” In India we had joint families where the children used to take care of their elders or vice versa. But with the invasion of Western culture, these joint families are breaking down. Children move out or ignore their parents and elders- which is sad. Children go abroad and don’t return- they only send money to their elders- but money is not important for these seniors, they need the love and care of their children- and to be with them. And the only solution for this to keep the seniors happy and active is the activities and fun provided by KMC Nava Chaitanya. When we get old it’s time to develop a rapport with the family, start making friends, so that when you reach that old age you need someone to communicate, mingle and interact. It is being Creatively engaged and doing some activity which you love that leads to peace of mind and in return good Health and a long happy life”.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Surendra Bekal-secretary of KMC-NC , while the programme was compered by MS Kamath and Jyothi, the members of KMC-NC. Now it was time for the fun of the day- cultural extravaganza by the seniors. From songs to Dance to Yakshagana dialogues, the bevy of “Young Revellers” simply Rocked the House! Ending this column with few thought-provoking words of wisdom on “old age’-
“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”.
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104 Year-Old Michael D’souza Felicitated by AGE-M’luru on ‘World Elders’ Day’