Senior citizens celebrate 'international day of the elderly'

SANJ Sneh lives up to its name. Having seen an eager enrollment of more than 105 members over a time span of just 365 days, Brahmand Complex’s Senior Citizens’ Association celebrated International Day of the Elderly on October 1 in heart-warming style.
Thane Police Commissioner and chief guest for the evening Suprakash Chakravarty graced the function in Brahmand Complex at Azad Nagar.He regaled the audience with his sharp wit and self-deprecating humour. Citing his genetic heritage of longevity he joked, “I’m sure I’ll easily be able to commute my entire pension.�
Chakravarty then went on to address some serious security concerns of senior citizens by assuring continued interaction and cooperation on behalf of Thane’s police force. Apart from the commissioner’s address, the day’s function also saw several other highlights in the form of felicitations of senior citizens and of those who had done exemplary work in the field.
Among those honoured at the event was Secretary General of the Indian Federation on Aging, IS Bawa was also present for the three-hour-long ceremony. Bawa stressed the importance of financial independence for the elderly.
He addressed the 300 strong turnout of retirees and re-emphasised the need to make a will and not, as is common practice, to hand over one’s property or assets to one’s kith and kin during one’s own lifetime as this, in today’s time, was fraught with numerous risks, he noted. Having started out as an independent association, Sanj Sneh’s plans include joining hands with the nation-wide network of other similar organisations, of which over hundred are located in Mumbai alone.
The Association’s souvenir ‘Sanj Sneh’ was released with much fanfare, on the occasion. the 104-year-old Mr. Biwalkar, the oldest centenarian present at the occasion.
Established, in the words of septuagenarian president PR Balan, “to bring together lonely, isolated elderly citizens and to harness their four decades of experience for making positive contributions to society,� Sanj Sneh also plans to conduct medical camps and to rally support for their members in terms of addressing economic, emotional and other varied problems associated with advancing years.