Over 100 and going strong

MUMBAI: On the occasion of World Elder's Day, the Indian Association of Retired Persons felicitated four centenarians through mayor Datta Dalvi. "Such gestures help centenarians realise that their achievement has been recognised. There should be more facilities for senior citizens and retired persons," said Dalvi.
"Living to see a hundred is an achievement," said Manohar Deodhar, president, Indian Association of Retired Persons.The first person to be felicitated was 102-year-old Sakhubai Supriya Raut. Basking in the glory, Raut confessed, "It is a good excuse to meet distant relatives and spend time with them."
Her black hair, 32 original pearly whites and her aligned posture though bely her age. For someone who lost her husband at the age of 46, Sakhubai has come a long way. "She brought up her four kids and ensured our education," said her nephew Dinesh Raut.
Hundred-year-old Rukminibai Mungale, a native of Kolhapur was next to be felicitated. "Her memory is unbelievable. She would recall events, narrate age-old stories," said Yogendra, her grandson. Diptilal Pahuji (101) shouted his favourite slogan, Aaj hind vatan ko azad hind bana do after being felicitated.
His daughter Swarnakanta spelt out the history of this Rawalpindi-born freedom fighter and threw light on this emotionally loaded slogan. "He was a strict Swadeshi follower. He always wore Khadi and encouraged us to do so too ," she said. Perhaps the best story was saved for the last.
The bed-ridden 101-year-old Durgabai Roopji could hardly get up to receive the medal from the mayor but her past speaks volumes for her mental strength.
Though this daughter of Krishnarao Roopji, first principal of JJ school of Arts, was born into a rich family, she was stricken by financial loss after marriage. "She ran stitching classes and pooled in the money for our upbringing," recalled daughter Jyoti Shroff.