Senior Citizen Saga

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Deepak Kher is my friend from last so many years. I know that he is a stage singer but I did not have an occasion to see his performance. So when I got his mail inviting me to an event at National Association of Blinds to witness his group's performance.

This programme was for Association of Senior Citizens Worli area.

It was a pleasant experience to be a part of mixed emotions, joys and camaraderie of people who have crossed 60 years of age, and seeing Deepak performing was actually a sort of bonus.

This organisation of  Senior Citizens in Worli is quite  old, its members meet at regular intervals,they  share, care,  enjoy variety of cultural and social programmes together.

Every year they felicitate those members who attain 80 years, 85 years, 90 years or the one who celebrated his 50th marriage anniversary. This year the list of such members was long, which is also an indication that people now enjoy longer life thanks to advancement of medical science and change in lifestyle. In fact they have traced Smt  Hansa Devi who has attained 100 years, due to health reasons she could not come to receive her citation but her three grown up daughters (who are already grand mothers) were there to receive the honour.

The Association had invited Shri Prakash N. Borgaonkar, Director, HelpAge India as chief guest. Prakash's organisation is doing excellent job in helping senior citizens. He   interact with  senior citizens on day to day basis and try to help them in various ways. He narrated two examples that no of silver celebrities  suffer financially  in their old age. Noted film actor A K Hangal died in the age of 97 years and he was even not able to get life saving drugs. Another celebrity of her time Mubarak Begum, The singer, now faded in oblivion, is known as the voice behind evergreen hits like Mujhko Apne Gale Lagaa Lo, O Mere Humrahi and Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun Hamari Yaad Aayegi, apart from Hum Haal-e-dil Sunaenge from Bimal Roy's classic Madhumati (1958). No body tried to find out whether she is dead or alive, she is compelled to live below the poverty line in far flung suburb Jogeshwari, deprived of basis amenities and besides sick no medicines. 

Prakash also wanted to stress that more than money the senior citizen needs caring and sharing.On many occasion which is missing at their own home.

Association honoured Bhupendra Kohli, who is doing  yeoman service to senior citizens by connecting them to the younger generation.





ASC honoured blind girl who obtained highest score in examination


Deepak Kher regaling the audience

A senior citizen enjoying a song



Prakash, Director HelpAge India addressing the crowd

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    Sir, You have reported in excellent manner. Thanks for your kind words.
    Deepak Kher

    ReplyDelete

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