The most awaited annual event of Punyadham Ashram, ‘International Senior Citizens’ Day’ was celebrated on 1st October with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal. Like every year, this year too seniors from various organizations involved with elders’ welfare & well-being with retired eminent individuals from the Armed Forces and Govt. also attended. The Chief Guest Arun Nanda (Chairman, Mahindra Resorts & Holidays) and Guest of Honour Ashok Khosla (famous ghazal & bhajans maestro) came all the way from Mumbai to grace the occasion. Padma Bhushan Dr. Vijay Bhatkar (also Trustee at Punyadham) & MLA Ulhasdada Pawar honoured the event by their presence.
The program began with Lamp Lighting and felicitation of the esteemed guests followed by a beautiful ‘Ganesh Vandana’ in Kathak form by Noopur Dance Academy, Undri. The students of Delhi Public School, Undri presented a touching group song dedicated to parents and elders which was followed by an energetic folk dance of Maharashtra ‘Gondhal’, to evoke blessings of Ma Bhavani! Lokseva English Medium School, Phulgaon presented a very touching silent play “Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow” depicting how awareness needs to be spread to the new generation to show love and care towards our elders. The next performance was very well appreciated when Punyadham Ashram’s residents did a skit ‘Aashayein…Umeedein’ which showed how we need to instill good values into our children to show that the place for our elders is always with their families and not in Elder Homes or Vridhashrams! A very informative interactive session by Dr Natasha Parulekar – a well-known dentist & implantologist on ‘Care of teeth, oral hygiene in old age & how it affects general health’ was very well received by all. 14 senior citizens from different walks of life were felicitated for their active work, contribution to society and for even at this age making a difference! They are a true inspiration and continue to motivate others.
Arun Nanda in his address to the gathering shared a quotation in Hindi which expressed that “one gets more happiness in ‘giving’ to others rather than ‘taking’ and he narrated an anecdote from his life to illustrate this fact! Ashok Khosla gave a beautiful rendition in his melodious voice “Itni shakti hume dena data” and thanked all in Punyadham for giving him an opportunity to seek blessings from Maa Krishna, Chairperson and also enjoy the peace and quiet of the ashram! Maa expressed how without any hard work aging continues and that mental age is more important than physical age! The whole program was very eloquently anchored by Ramesh Grover & Amita Baindur!
Everyone was giifted a pot of ‘Tulsi’ plant and after sumptuous ‘prasadam’ everyone left with smiles and a promise to meet again next year!
Comment List