Many years ago, Dr. HC Malhotra formed the Senior Citizens Group at Nehru Park in our sector. (For the uninformed, Dr. Malhotra has been the research guide for many Ph.D. students in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Delhi.) The group consisted of retired judges, public prosecutors, administrators, professors, engineers, doctors, and others. Members used to share all current issues and used to enjoy their retired lives with enjoyment. The only things not discussed were topics of communal importance.
The members of the Senior Citizens Group would meet regularly at a fixed time, and all decisions were taken with one voice. When RW&CS fixed four benches that could comfortably seat 12 people in the D-Block park, the group’s meetings were shifted there.
While most members of the Senior Citizens group had retired from senior positions in government service, a few people hailed from the private sector. The members would share their past experiences of work life, discussing the difficult projects and the most enjoyable ones.
Dr. Malhotra would remember all the birthdays, and soon the celebration of the birthdays became a special event. Members even went out together, with the visit to Amrit Udyan (former Mughal Gardens) being the most memorable one. Of course, members attended all social events with their families, and this was enjoyed by all. However, the absence of Dr. Malhotra and Sh. Ramawtar Gupta would be a sore point.
The majority of members were over 80 years old, yet they would visit each other’s homes if anyone fell ill. Unfortunately, the group’s activities halted when the COVID-19 pandemic happened in 2020. The spread of the dreaded virus brought all group activities to a halt.
Sadly, now the group has dispersed due to age factors and illnesses. Many members are no longer with us, having departed for heaven.
I pray to God to improve the vision of Dr. Malhotra and the health of Sh. SD Singh and Mr. Ram Motiani. I pray that He grants greater physical strength to Sh Baldev Singh and Sh Gaur so that they can walk with more ease.
I pray for my friends.
