Int’l Day of Older Persons celebrated in city

Elderly persons from 23 old age homes participated in various competitions like group dance, drama and fancy dress. They were also given ‘Super Grandpa’ and ‘Super Grandma’ awards.

“In the event, the guests said that the shift towards nuclear families was the reason why families separated and the elderly people were being sent to old age homes. They added that the future generation should avoid this. They also stressed that senior citizens at the old age home should be united and no one should be left alone,” said V Selvaraj, Director, HelpAge India, Tamil Nadu.

“We danced to songs of MGR and Jayalalithaa. We trained one week under the guidance of professional dancers. The home is taking good care of us and we wanted share the joy by performing today. It is a new experience for me,” said Eganathan V, a 66-year-old from Sai Old age home in Kundrattur.

A Parvathi, a 70-year-old, said, “I have taken part in many functions conducted in our home. For others, there were dance trainers but I performed without anyone’s guidance. This is my first performance before a huge audience.”

During the event, the chief guest Justice Dr TN Vallinayagam, judge of Lok Adalat Madras High Court, also gave senior citizens cloth bags to advocate the ban on usage of plastic bags.