MUMBAI: As Suresh Saoji (84) serenaded his wife on wobbly knees in full public view at
Shivaji Park
, Suman (82) blushed. As the elderly couple danced to the tunes of old Hindi film songs, a crowd of
senior citizens
cheered them on. The Saojis were among a mix of elderly persons who had gathered at Aajee-Aazobaa Udyaan to celebrate
Valentine’s Day
for senior citizens on Friday morning. The garden, usually a quiet spot at the buzzing maidan, was adorned with red heart-shaped balloons and there was frenetic activity around.
Organised by
HelpAge
India, the aim of the event was to hammer out a message to children and youngsters that Valentine’s Day is not just romance between young people, said Prakash Borgaonkar, director of HelpAge India. “We wanted to change the clichéd idea that Valentine’s Day is only for young lovers. Our aim was to tell youngsters that even your grandparents can be your Valentine,” said Borgaonkar.
So, children from Ryan International School, Chembur, came face-to-face with the elderly. As the kids belted out songs, grey-haired couples danced while others in the audience gently swayed their heads to the flow of music.
Mahim resident Deepa Govekar said she could not have missed the V-Day event. “I come to the garden regularly to take walks and use the gym equipment here,” she said. “Today, of course, it was special due to Valentine’s Day celebrations.” Chief guests, TV actors Dr Girish Oak and Nivedita Saraf, protagonists of a Marathi serial that centres on the lives of senior citizens, shared anecdotes of the hardship of the aged.
Among the crowd was Dadar resident Shashikant Naik (87), who hobbled around the garden with a walking stick and a cloth bag slung across his shoulder. “I come here regularly to spend time with people of my age. And it charges me mentally,” said Naik, a widower.
At the end of the morning, HelpAge India had a message for the elderly. “Ageing does not mean all is over,” Borgaonkar told the crowd. “In fact, it’s just the beginning. Live every day with love. Let each day be Valentine’s Day.”
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