Swami Vivekananda Garden is a small but beautiful garden with a circular walking track, in Bhatar area of Surat.
A group of women sing bhajan's loudly and offer prasad of chocolates to every one around. Some elderly people make it a point to visit the Swami Vivekananda Garden on Bhatar Road just to have the sweets. Someone from a group of about 50 men and women bring snacks from home and it is party every day. They share food, laugh and pray together although they don't even know everyone in the group by name.
Shashikant Jariwala, 71, a retired businessman living in Sant Tukaram Society, says, "We have our men's party twice or three times a month. We arrange for drinks and enjoy." He adds, "I think government should relax prohibition for us."
Bhupendra Prajapati, 76, another retired businessman of Jamnanagar, says, "We enjoy our parties and share the expenses."
Retired policemen Kashinath Kalal, 79, and Maniram Pendale, 74, who draw a monthly pension of nearly Rs 5,000, add, "For us, these three hours are wonderful. We forget all our worries."
Kala Patel, 65, a former school teacher, who has been a regular visitor to the garden since last 10 years, says, " This place is like heaven for us as there is no one to disturb us here. We can sing our bhajans and even party."
Savita Patel, 62, another retired school teacher, says, "We come here daily as we can't pass time sitting home." When asked of problems at home, most of them say they have no major problems. [rc]
Copyright © 2009 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
October 31, 2009
INDIA: Everyday is a party for these senior citizens
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SURAT, Gujarat / The Times of India / October 31, 2009
By Himanshu Bhatt, Times News Network
SURAT: For these senior citizens, life begins at 60. They have started living life king size after retirement. They have formed a mandal and meet in a garden every day for party and to gossip. They ask, "Why should young have all the fun?" They follow the principles of social dating and never miss their date.
Swami Vivekananda Garden is a small but beautiful garden with a circular walking track, in Bhatar area of Surat.
A group of women sing bhajan's loudly and offer prasad of chocolates to every one around. Some elderly people make it a point to visit the Swami Vivekananda Garden on Bhatar Road just to have the sweets. Someone from a group of about 50 men and women bring snacks from home and it is party every day. They share food, laugh and pray together although they don't even know everyone in the group by name.
Shashikant Jariwala, 71, a retired businessman living in Sant Tukaram Society, says, "We have our men's party twice or three times a month. We arrange for drinks and enjoy." He adds, "I think government should relax prohibition for us."
Bhupendra Prajapati, 76, another retired businessman of Jamnanagar, says, "We enjoy our parties and share the expenses."
Retired policemen Kashinath Kalal, 79, and Maniram Pendale, 74, who draw a monthly pension of nearly Rs 5,000, add, "For us, these three hours are wonderful. We forget all our worries."
Kala Patel, 65, a former school teacher, who has been a regular visitor to the garden since last 10 years, says, " This place is like heaven for us as there is no one to disturb us here. We can sing our bhajans and even party."
Savita Patel, 62, another retired school teacher, says, "We come here daily as we can't pass time sitting home." When asked of problems at home, most of them say they have no major problems. [rc]
Copyright © 2009 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Swami Vivekananda Garden is a small but beautiful garden with a circular walking track, in Bhatar area of Surat.
A group of women sing bhajan's loudly and offer prasad of chocolates to every one around. Some elderly people make it a point to visit the Swami Vivekananda Garden on Bhatar Road just to have the sweets. Someone from a group of about 50 men and women bring snacks from home and it is party every day. They share food, laugh and pray together although they don't even know everyone in the group by name.
Shashikant Jariwala, 71, a retired businessman living in Sant Tukaram Society, says, "We have our men's party twice or three times a month. We arrange for drinks and enjoy." He adds, "I think government should relax prohibition for us."
Bhupendra Prajapati, 76, another retired businessman of Jamnanagar, says, "We enjoy our parties and share the expenses."
Retired policemen Kashinath Kalal, 79, and Maniram Pendale, 74, who draw a monthly pension of nearly Rs 5,000, add, "For us, these three hours are wonderful. We forget all our worries."
Kala Patel, 65, a former school teacher, who has been a regular visitor to the garden since last 10 years, says, " This place is like heaven for us as there is no one to disturb us here. We can sing our bhajans and even party."
Savita Patel, 62, another retired school teacher, says, "We come here daily as we can't pass time sitting home." When asked of problems at home, most of them say they have no major problems. [rc]
Copyright © 2009 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
