News and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Feb 2: “Children should make an effort to support their parents by understanding them in their old age.  Children play a vital role in the joys and sufferings of their aged parents.  They should ensure that their parents enjoy their retirement. The last wishes of parents should be realized in order to repay their parental love.  The children whose parents are happy are likely to be truly blessed”, said Gilbert Baptist, managing director, Malaika Group of Concerns.

Baptist was delivering the presidential address at the annual get together of senior citizens on Saturday January 31, held at Sardar Vallababai Patel School Auditorium, Mira – Bayandar Road, here.  It was organized by his establishment.
 

Malaika Group has been organizing the annual get together of senior citizens, who are members of Malaika Credit Co-Operative Society, with the objective of sharing their joys and sufferings.  
 
Mira Road St Joseph parish priest Fr Rudolph D’Souza, after inaugurating the programme, said that the annual get together of senior citizen is an occasion to revive  family bonds and commit themselves to make their lives pleasant.  In the jet set era, aged parents are increasingly dumped in old age homes by their children and this practice must be reversed, he said.
 
Veteran dramatist Francis Fernandes Cascia was the chief guest while Mira Road corporator Merlyn D’Sa, Mother Superior Sr Jessica, Fr Charles Patrao, ‘Divvo’ Konkani weekly editor Lawrence Coelho, and poet Ancy Paladka, were the guests of honour on the occasion.
 
Malaika Group members Joseph R Lobo, Joseph Pinto, Paul Joseph, and S D’Souza  were present on the dais.
 
Musical concert by ‘Konkani Melody Group’ of Wilfred Fernandes and mimicry was staged as part of the entertainment programme.
 
Malaika Group director Marceline G Baptist welcomed the gathering.  Malaika Credit Co-Operative Society manager Mercy D’Souza and secretary Paul Joseph honoured the guests with flower bouquets.
 
Navin Kulshekar compered the programme.