Thane: Vasant Vihar kids spend vacation with the elderly at old age home

Thane: While most children are busy spending their Diwali vacations playing video games, hanging around with friends and visiting malls or just watching television, a bunch of kids from

Vasant Vihar

decided to spend their holidays with over 50 senior citizens at an old age home in the city.

Vihaan Tiwari (9) who has always felt strongly for the elderly and wanted to bring about a ray of happiness in their mundane lives pursued six of his friends to pay a visit to one such centre in

Bhiwandi

on Tuesday. The boy not only planned on visiting the centre, but also celebrated the day by organising an array of games, along with a dance and musical performance that was choreographed by the children themselves.

Speaking about the initiative, Tiwari said, “I recently saw a video about an old age home in Punjab. I was really touched to watch this. The elderly people were deprived of emotional needs and were completely left alone. I wanted to somehow reach out to them. I asked my parents how we can contribute towards making them happier. So, my father and I went to this particular home and we told them we were interested in spending the day with the elderly.”

A week before their trip to the old age home, the children were on their toes going from door-to-door in the neighbourhood asking for donations. This money was then used to buy 25 kgs of foodgrains, vegetables and bedsheets.

“My friend Vihaan once told me that he would like me to join him on their visit to an old age home. When I discussed the idea with my parents they thought it would be a good idea for me to interact with a group of wise and experienced people. We approached our society people and asked them to help us in our cause. We managed to collect around Rs 9,000 with which we bought all the essentials for the elderly. My brother and I made greeting cards as well which brightened up their faces,” said 12-year-old Aditya Vaigankar.

A week before their trip to the old age home, the children were on their toes going around from door-to-door in the neighbourhood asking for donations. This money was then used to buy 25 kgs of foodgrains, vegetables and bedsheets