‘Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same colour as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated’ wrote Ernest Hemingway through his character Cuban fisherman Santiago, in The Old Man and the Sea. These words are very true with those elderly persons who were gathered in Kuchalambal Kalyana Mandapam, Chetpet, to celebrate their day – International Day of Older Persons, on Monday.
Every year the International Day of Older Persons is being celebrated on October 1. In view of that, HelpAge India organised a daylong world Elders Day celebration under the theme ‘Health and Ageing’ for this year.
HelpAge India, an NGO, working towards the protection of elderly rights and providing care and support for old age people, organises the event every year with various themes.
D N Shyam Prasad, General Manager (IHR), Chennai Airport and Southern Region, inaugurated the programme. He also released HelpAge India greeting cards on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, he said, “We must welcome ageing rather than worrying about it. Its just a biological phenomenon. It’s a must to lead a happy life while growing old. You (elders) are not retiring, but just moving into another phase of life. Consider this, even septuagenarians like Nehru and Morarji Desai ruled the nation. If you are healthy, then age will only be a number.”
Indrani Rajadurai, Special Adviser, HelpAge India, who presided over the event, spoke on ‘Need on Intergenerational Bonding Activities’. She said, “Through the ‘Students Action for Value Education – (SAVE)’ we are sensitising students on taking care of the eldery. Till date, we have covered over 670 schools and over 20 lakh students have been sensitised. This year, we are planning to reach college students. By sensitising them we can strengthen the concept of joint family. We must remember that having an old person at home is a treasure”.
Dr S Suresh, Honorary Secretary, Voluntary Health Services, who spoke on ‘Health and Ageing’ said, “Self-motivation is the only thing which elders need at this time”. He added, “Continuous mobility at this age will keep you healthy and positive thinking makes the brain more active. At this age, you (elders) must try to do exercises. Take Fauja Singh for instance, see how he is energetic and takes part in Marathon. You must take him as a role model”.
Speaking to City Express, P R Anbazhakan, Director, HelpAge India – Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, said, “Every year we are conducting this programme with support from many corporates and charities. We have fun competitions and cultural programmes, provide lunch and distribute mementos and make them happy on this special day. From last year we are also conducting a walkathon with support from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi.”
Around 700 elders from over 30 old age homes participated in the event.
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