GRANDPA
– GRANDMA FEST
“When
an old man dies, a library vanishes”. It is our responsibility to take care, to
respect and to express our love to the Golden agers who shaped our life and
society. To express the Fatimites gratitude to the knowledgeable and skillful
senior citizens, the Department of Sociology and Social work has celebrated GRANDPA GRANDMA Fest on February 2, 2016 in Jubilee Hall.
Dr.M.Meenakumari,
Head – Department of Sociology and Social Work welcomed the gathering and
explained the objectives of the programme and she insisted on how the senior
citizens show the way to youngsters to lead the life in a successful way.
Dr.Sr.K.Fatima Mary, Principal , Fatima College gave the Presidential address
.She narrated an anecdote where a person called “Auto Raja” rescues the abandoned
old age people who are in chronic illness and aged who are in need of love and care.
She shared her thoughts relating to her mother that her mother’s wish was
attaining the god’s feet should happen without making any disturbances to their
children. The wish was fulfilled with her firm prayers. The youngsters should
give significance to the relationship rather than the material and money. She
said the basic purpose of this celebration is to honour and worship the senior
citizens who played a predominant role in shaping the community and nation.
Sr.S.Francis
Pauline, Secretary, Fatima College gave a inspirational message to the audience
that the life of us will be just like how we think about our life. The positive
thoughts and attitudes would make our life happy and satisfied whereas negative
thoughts would make our life miserable. Her message made the senior citizens to
realize and accept the life with positive thought.
The
Chief Guest, Mr.Indra Soundar Rajan, renowned Tamil writer gave the theme note address.
His talk was thought provoking and the senior citizens became emotional with
his talk. He said that in today’s world , starting and managing old age homes
has become a profitable business and the pathetic situation is the own sons and
daughters prefer their parents to be in old age home. He shared the life
situation of famous female Tamil writer Kasthuri Panchu with her husband in an old age home in Tirupathi. He
expressed his thoughts about Savithiribai Phule and the struggles faced by her
to join and pursue studies in educational institution. He gave the information
that Gandhi considered Savithiribai Phule as the real “Mahatma”.He asked the
youngsters to get the blessings of the senior citizens as it always make both
the generation to have a fulfilled life.
Following
this, the students of Sociology and Social Work enacted a skit representing the
generation gap and the current life style of the senior citizens. Many
participants were able to relate their life with the skit and became very
emotional. Then the fun time began. Passing the ball and passing the hat games
were conducted for the grandmas and grandpas respectively. Lucky corner was
also conducted and the prizes were given to the prize winners. Sumptuous lunch
was provided to all the participants.
Medical
Camp was organized in collaboration with Madurai Apollo Hospital, Vasan Eye
Hospital and Hannah Joseph Hospital. Totally 121 senior citizens participated
in the programme among 87 were grandmas and 34 were grandpas.The programme came
to an end with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Ms.V.Sofia Adaikala
Mary,Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work.
WELCOMING
