by Renu Dwivedi (The IVY)
A sixty something lady, in a full length costume, diffidently entering the pool, was how I first saw Premaji. On striking a conversation, found she had been advised to do water exercises by her doctor, for her arthritic knees. Impressed by her enthusiasm, I pushed her further, to learn swimming, “Have fun, while you are at it”.
The next time I met her, she was in the pool, with the tube and coach, taking baby steps towards swimming. The small snippets I exchanged with her, had me intrigued and I decided, I need to cover her story.
She is Sixty-Nine, single mother, a trained Nurse, with Army family background. Was employed with the Taj Group, has two children, both married. Presently she stays with her daughter and son-in- law.
Premaji shared her story with me, how she was leading a normal married life, with its regular ups and downs, when after 20 years of being married she and her husband decided to part ways. It wasn’t an easy decision, left her drained financially and emotionally, but somehow with the support of her kids, family and friends, she managed to wade through.
In 2016, on the behest of a well meaning friend, she attended a session at the Dignity foundation, a society for Senior Citizens in Mumbai. She saw people her age, and even elder joyfully engaging in activities. There was an instant click and she joined the community. From being an active member, she has now progressed to becoming a centre coordinator and helps engage other senior citizens in finding a renewed purpose in life.
Dignity foundation, founded by Dr Sheilu Sreenivasan, is a non-profit organization which enables Senior Citizens to lead active lives, and provides productive ageing opportunities and social support services. They have social centres across the country, which are called Chai / Coffee Masti centres, where members get together, engage and encourage each other to lead an active life.They also have Dementia Care Centres, in 4 Metros , a Dignity township and Loneliness Mitigation Centres. They organise various activities :
Pop up Dance shows, Singing competitions, Carnivals, Trips, Medical consultations and much more, to address the physical and mental well-being of their members. Any senior citizen can become a member, by paying a nominal annual fee, and they also have options for online and hybrid mode , keeping in mind the mobility challenges of the members.
This month, on world Alzheimer’s day, Dignity foundation organised a Walk in Leisure Valley Park and a Pop- Up Dance performance in Saket Mall and Delhi Haat. Its delightful to see the enthusiasm and charm these Senior Citizens can exude even at this age. Dignity foundation is certainly doing a great job at keeping them Young- Young at Heart!
