Grandparents' day out with granddaughters reveals an emotional bonding

Madurai: When Meena, 75, held her granddaughter's hands and walked up the stage at a function organised by a city college for grandparents on Tuesday, her eyes brightened up on seeing the others. Through her wrinkled eyes, Meena smiled and said, "I have never enjoyed this much with my granddaughter."
It was a lovely sight to witness at the Fathima College when grandfathers and grandmothers danced in gaily and took part in games along with their granddaughters on the occasion of the Grandparents' Day organised by the department of sociology and social work.
For some students, it was an emotional moment watching their grandparents dance and play. More than 100 grandparents participated in the function in which activities like passing the ball, passing the hat were organised.
Balakrishnan, 55, a watchmen won the first prize in the passing the ball game. His eyes were filled with tears when he expressed his love for her granddaughter. "We have never taken part in such events. It is only due to my granddaughter that I got to see such events," he said.
The main objective of the event was to bridge the growing gap between grandparents and grandchildren which the world is witnessing today.
After an unofficial survey was conducted by the department of sociology and social work, it was found that most of elderly people were stressed due to lack of family bonding.
Head, department of sociology and social work, M Meenakumari said, "Nowadays, children fail to understand the importance of having grandparents in their life. Instead of staying on the computer for long hours, students must spend some quality time with their grandparents." As part of their syllabus, students are also taught 'gerontology' a scientific study of old age."
The programme ended with the students posing for the shutterbugs with their grandparents.