It was heartening to see a smile on their wrinkled faces and everybody present at the event seemed to be having a good time. Armed with walking sticks and dressed in their best attire, the senior citizens, most of them aged above 80 years, had a great time at an event held on the occasion of World Elders’ Day in the City recently. The women were dressed in pinafore with flowers on their hair and the men chose to slip into in their best formal attire.
The event was organised by Karen Pinto, an entrepreneur who lost her father in November 2013. He lived in an old-age home as he required constant care. After his death, Karen and her sister Samanta Pasha Pinto began conducting activities in old-age homes and did their bit to make the lives of senior citizens interesting.
The event had more than 100 senior citizens from four old age homes coming together. The day began with games and the senior citizens made sure they participated in them with great gusto. They were given a warm welcome and chocolates to take back.
The event witnessed a series of entertaining activities ranging from dance, music to poetry recitation.
The senior citizens were enthusiastic and danced to popular songs. Eighty-year-old Violet Jackson wearing a violet dress enthralled the audience by signing popular song ‘You are my sunshine’. Allen Wash, another senior citizen and the oldest of the lot, said, “I am a little over a 100 years old but I still remember the year and the month I was born. It's exhilarating to see everyone dressed so beautifully. It makes me happy to spend my time with so many people.”
Said Lakshmi, another senior citizen, “I'm living in an old age home due to my ailment and will be going back to my daughter’s house within a month.”
The three-hour event saw the senior citizens have loads of fun and each of then returned with plenty of moments to cherish.
