Secret recipes to staying young!

Old, Elderly, Senior citizens- words that make you feel the age you are. The moment you start “growing old” as they call it or are told “you are growing old now” the body and mind begins to react in ways it need not. Growing old is definitely inevitable, but feeling old is not. So here are some secret recipes to stay young.

Join activities you enjoy. Follow your heart as now is the time to do the things you did not have the time to pursue. Make new friends and do whatever brings you happiness and don’t forget to find ways to help others. Helping others is just one way of feeling good about “you” and staying motivated. Learn that musical instrument you always wanted to or join a singing group and remember to include a dose of laughter every day of your life. Or just go studio hopping like I do.

Exercise is a must for you to stay fit, but that does not mean if your knee or legs hurt you still continue to keep the pace. You must learn to listen to your body and when it gives you signals stop. Do not judge your capabilities with that of others as we are all different and have different levels of tolerance of everything. What is good for you may just not be good enough for another. There is no shame in being different from those of your age. Simply find an exercise regime that works for you and include it in your day!

Get enough sleep and remember you don’t need to be sleeping the whole day because you have nothing to do. Get out of that bed otherwise depression and lethargy will become your companions. 8-9 hours of sleep is just right and you don’t need more than that just because you are ageing.

Eat right. Control your cravings for those ice-creams, sweets and chocolates as much as you possibly can but of course eat within limits. Eat simple food that won’t give you uneasiness during the day. Choose to eat healthy foods that provide you nourishment and energy and take your medications without fail.

Remain positive in every situation. Find friends with a positive attitude to life and avoid sitting with people who spend time complaining about old age, pains and aches. The more you talk about it and look inward at the problems the more the mind will tell your body to react negatively. Friendship as nothing to do with age so make as many young friends as you can and you will never grow old.

Sing : Definitely sing.......all those songs you loved as a youngster or all those that bring a spring to your step......loudly and be-sura too is fine.....keep the songs flowing...the joy it will bring you is definite.

Just remember: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”- Mark Twain 

A firsthand account of World Elder Abuse Awareness day !

15th June, 2015, had been etched in my mobile reminders as “event at Pushpamaa Foundation,Veer Savarkar Park, Borivili West” but it certainly did not prepare me for an evening to remember for life.

Reaching there well in time in the drizzle of the rain, I sat on the swings watching the elderly on the other swings. The man on the swing next to me sat there singing a Dev Anand film song to himself as I smiled, enjoying the melody. The euphoria began to build as 250+ Dada-Dadis with their young ones walked into the garden area and the event began to take wings.

The Event was a Walkathon by elders on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This was to be followed by the launch of heart touching Video release – a Poem by Anshuman Bhagwat, audio visual production by Sugar Mediaz, narrated by Darrpan Mehta and subtitled by me for a social cause. The poet in the video talks about being caught up in his own world and leaving his parents in the backyard room only to realise that one day he too will have to face the same fate.

The Walkathon was conceptualised and spearheaded by Sailesh Mishra, founder of Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO to create awareness about Elder Abuse and to create a Society for all Ages and ably supported by Ramaa Subramaniam. Banners in hand and slogans to stop Elder Abuse rang out loud with Sailesh Mishra leading the voices. It was a treat to walk alongside as the smiles and the enthusiasm led the group towards the dome. The dome in the middle of the garden was soon filled with smiling faces watching the group of girls perform to dances choreographed by Sneha Mehta Shah. Followed by the video release, the evening air was soon filled with karaoke singing that never seemed to end. What amazing singers and of course I shook a leg as they sang.

The purple heart chosen as the icon and the colour of purple which everyone had worn that day intrigued me to inquire the reason why? I was truly touched to learn that Sailesh Mishra had chosen the purple heart with a reason- that being to symbolise the colour of a bruise that turns from purple to red to black. The ‘purple heart’ was a cry to stop elder abuse.

No one wanted to leave and the day ended with gupshup over vada pau and coffee with the ever enthusiastic Jimmy Dordi and his fellow members. Its events like this that makes you realise that even though they may be called “elders” or “senior citizens”, there is a love for life that overwhelms and envelops you when you are with them. I may not look my age, may be young at heart, but end of the day, I am also one of them- a senior citizen with a zest for life

‘UMANG, the unique stage talent show of Senior Citizens’ !

Saturday, January 24, 2015 

UMANG, a platform to encourage seniors to showcase their talent and give them an opportunity to express themselves, an event organized by Silver Innings Foundation, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Birla Matoshree Sabhagrih. The event was sponsored by Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point and co-sponsored by Rotary Club of Bombay Pier. Supported by Rotaract Club of Rizvi Law College.

When my friend, Ramaa of the Silver Innings Helpline invited me to host the show I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into. Of course I love meeting people, hosting events and who wouldn’t. 9 o’clock sharp all the participants were in the greenroom dressed and ready to perform. The smiles ontheir faces was so heartwarming and 27 awesome performances by all the seniors in the age group of 60+ was a treat to watch. Diya dance by a 67 year lady with diyas on her head and in both hands, group dances, classical dances, Bollywood medley, a skit, Russian dance and songs filled the auditorium with an energy that could out do any rock performance in the city. The enthused seniors performed with such gusto that I just had to dance with them too. I was just in complete awe and hosting the event with my co-host Arpita was such an honour for me.

Associate partners of the event were Dignity Foundation, FESCOM Mumbai; HelpAge India; Harmony for Silvers Foundation, 1298 Senior Citizens Helpline, A1 Snehanjali, The Metrognome and Palliative Care Dept., Bhaktivedanta Hospital. To add to the magic there were a number of performances by members of the most of these associations. All the participants and groups were given certificate and trophy and hey, I got one too!

Silver Innings helpline partners – Aaji Care (Elder Care, IIT, Mumbai) and Ashiana Senior Living (Lavasa) team were also present at the occasion.

What can I say about Sailesh Mishra, the Founder President of Silver Inning who conceptualized UMANG which has been a much awaited event by senior citizens since its inception in 2008. All I can say is that “small acts when multiplied can transform the lives of so many” and that is exactly what he continues to do. I completely endorse what he says “Hum toh woh recycled teenagers hai, joh rewired hai not retired” and believe me that every senior performing on stage proved him right. I am truly honoured to know him and be associated with him and my dear friend Ramaa who have not only given me an opportunity to participate in their journey but given me so much to be thankful for. At the end of the show it was absolutely wonderful being told that they enjoyed my hosting and the number of hands that I shook today has made me richer with each hug and handshake. All I can hope is that I am invited every year to host the event to be a part of this fantastic and heartwarming event.