Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Oct 3: Every October 1 is observed as "World Elders' Day" or "Senior Citizens' Day".   Bearing the same in mind the staff and students of Fr Muller Physiotherapy Department observed Senior Citizens' Day with the inmates of Prashant Nivas, Jeppu and St. Antony's Poor Homes, Jeppu, on Tuesday October 2.

The programme began at 9:00 am with Fr Muller Medical College administrator Fr Denis D'Sa and dean Dr B Sanjeev Rai as the chief guests.  In his address Fr Denis spoke about the change in outlook towards the elderly by the present generation as compared to earlier times. He also sang a song in Konkani for the inmates.

The dean spoke on the importance of the day and  wished all the inmates.

Students performed dances and an action song. They also conducted games, a singing and dancing competition for the inmates.  All the 400 inmates each received a hamper comprising of the collected clothes and some eatables, with prizes for the winners.  A baila dance was held for all.

Margarette, an inmate on behalf of the inmates and Sr Emma, in-charge of Prashanth Nivas on behalf of all present proposed the vote of thanks.  The programme wound up at 10:45 am and all proceeded to St Antony's.

The 400 inmates here too were given hampers of the collected clothes and eatables.  Entertainment, games and competitions were held too, with a special dance performance by "Disco Felix", an inmate at St Antony's. 

In his speech, the director of St Antony's Poor Homes Fr Fred V Pereira, while thanking everyoneasked to take up and follow the resolution said by Blessed Mother Teresa on the occasion of the Centenary of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions.  She had said, "In this beautiful city of Mangalore, I invite you to take one resolution, that there should not be a single person, unwanted, unloved and uncared for."  He also handed a copy of "Little Visitor", a regular publication of St Antony's Poor Home to each one present.