Chennai: A life lived for someone else, is a life well lived, goes a popular saying.
Twelve years ago, something caught the attention of two women who were on their regular Sunday walk. They found it disturbing to see families spending their weekend evenings roaming around the city while the grandparents were left home to sit on the balcony and stare into nothingness.
“That was the moment both of us knew, that we had to do something for the revered members of every family, the senior citizens,” says Preeti Shah, co-founder of Sthumbh. The week after, seven women, with a firm resolve to serve, kick-started their organisation and arranged a stand-up comedy event followed with a gala and healthy dinner for elders.
Preeti dedicates their growth from fifty members to three hundred at present, entirely to the ever-enthusiastic senior citizens. “Majority of the elderly persons, when they touch 60-65 require medical as well as personal attention. We wanted to help them and give personal love and care by entertaining them and making them feel forever young at heart. Watching their grins and energy expand with every event that passes, is the biggest form of motivation for us to keep growing,” she adds.
Stand-up comedy events soon took shape of Sufi nights, and now even DJ nights. “Once every year, we arrange a talent show, where ironically, grandchildren cheer for their grandparents who let their heart out in their performances, be it whistling, acting, and even dancing. We make sure to give prizes to every performer, so that only smiles and satisfaction leave the stage,” she says.
From filming regional movies, to hosting an extravagant fun fair, to taking them for a vacation to places like Yelagiri and conducting dance classes for them by Shiamak Davar (noted as the first to bring western dance in India), Preeti and her team strive to not let temples be the only reason for senior citizens to leave home.
One of their most successful events was when Union Textiles Minister, Smriti Irani joined the senior citizens to give an engaging speech. “If the foundation of our society, the senior citizens, are strong and happy, it will reflect on the growth of the entire society,” believed Smriti.
“All the little things we have learnt through caring for our elders has strengthened us as a team and as individuals. To care for someone who once cared for us, is indeed the highest honour,” says Preeti with conviction.
Article by Sakshi Shah