4,000 residents of old age homes across state get together for musical evening on Saturday
Old Bollywood classics, good food, lights, meticulous planning and vibrant decor – it was a pleasant musical evening hosted by businessman-turned-social worker Dinesh Gupta. This extravagant celebration was for residents of 35 old age homes from state. More than 4,000 residents of these homes were present at the event.
Gupta, who was also the main organiser of the charity programme, said, “It is an unfortunate thing that the number of members of these old age homes is increasing. I used to visit various such homes in city and spend time with the residents. I felt that there was a dire need to create a platform on which residents of all these homes congregate. And then this programme happened.”
Lyrics of old classics were rendered by Bankim Pathak, known as voice of Mukesh, accompanied by Shyam Gadhavi, singing in the voice of Kishore Kumar, and Nilu Dave and Darshana Dave who sang Lata Mangheshkar’s lyrics. The program was co-ordinated by known writer Dr Sharad Thakar.
Rajesh Bhatt, organiser of Krishna old age home, Gandhinagar, said, “Residents of more than 35 old age homes were invited to attend this programme which also became a platform for organisers and residents to interact with each other.”
For the audience, the event combined the festivity of Diwali and Christmas. Seventy-year-old Rami Parmar beamed, “We got once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to listen to our favourite lyrics, socialise and party.” Another old age home resident Jaigovind Shah, 60, said, “We felt respected and loved as part of this programme. It was also good entertainment.” Kanaklata Shah, 65, was moved by the gesture. “Receiving token gifts and a new pair of clothes made me feel special,” she said.
Parshu Kakkad, trustee of Jivan Sandhya old age home which is one of the biggest in city, said, “The organisation of the programme was impeccable. It served as a potential social platform for interaction among the residents as well as office bearers of old age homes. Such events add zeal and freshness to the otherwise monotonous and lonely lives of those spending their twilight years in some old age home.”
