R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MARCH 28
A bunch of senior citizens of Ananda Bharatham, an NGO, turned the clock back and walked the ramp with specially abled kids at its 21st Anniversary celebrations here last week.
- Kudos to the Trustees of Ananda Bharatham for germinating this morale-boosting event
- After intense rehearsal for about 3 weeks, all the inmates – thathas, paatis and the kids from the foundation dressed up in regional outfits not only to walk on the stage but also perform the traditional dance
- They are in the winter of their lives but there was spring in their heart and a spring in their steps when they took the ramp either for the first time in their lives or after over 50 years of their primary school days
They are in the winter of their lives but there was spring in their heart and a spring in their steps when they took the ramp either for the first time in their lives or after over 50 years of their primary school days. This ramp walk in fashionable attire with kids not only boosted their self-worth and shown them that they can still indulge in activities that keep them in good physical and mental health.
Kudos to the Trustees of Ananda Bharatham for germinating this morale-boosting event, the NGO running an old age home and the home for the special children recently.
The celebrations were organized at the Sri Kuchalambal Kalyana Mahal, Chetput in Chennai.
Mahesh Kumar Bajaj, Executive Director, Indian Bank was the chief guest. The guests of honour were Dr P Balaji, dean of Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran, assistant director and consultant psychiatrist at Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) India, and Sheeba Lourdhes, chairman of United Samaritans India.
After intense rehearsal for about 3 weeks, all the inmates – thathas, paatis and the kids from the foundation dressed up in regional outfits not only to walk on the stage but also perform the traditional dance.
“To be standing there and knowing so many people watching me, made me nervous. But I managed somehow,” said Prabhakar from Andhra Pradesh. Seetha, another resident hailing from Kerala said, “I was tensed too, but when everybody started encouraging, it built my confidence and everything becomes easy for me.”
The enthusiastic audience did not fail to participate in the event. As the models of Tamil Nadu walked back, they erupted in a chorus of ‘once again’. The residents walked the stage twice with smiles from ear to ear, spreading their contagious energy. As the song ‘Gummi adi penne’ played on the speakers, people formed small circles and perform along with them.
Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, Managing Trustee of Ananda Bharatham said, “When we were rehearsing, one of the ammas held my hand and said ‘we were left to rust as dust, but you took us in and gave us a reason to smile during our last days’ and looking at them enjoying and dancing today on stage gave me immense happiness.”
“The hard work of the residents paid off today as we see people smiling and crying. In their last days, they were given the opportunity to spread joy and happiness,” said Mahesh Kumar Bajaj.
‘I did not know much about the home before coming here. Coming here and watching them walk with full enthusiasm and energy changed my mind and I want to associate with them in every way possible,” said Sheeba Lourdhes.
