At a felicitation of neighbours aged 75 years and above, that New Town AE Block Cultural and Social Welfare Association had organised on World Senior Citizens Day on August 21, two of the recipients voiced diametrically opposite views.
Anup Ranjan Majumdar refused to be bogged down by age. “Why should we call ourselves old? Whatever be our age, we should focus on staying happy and fit,” said the 77-year-old. But Ashim Kumar Chakraborty, who is five days younger than Majumdar and spoke right after him, cast a pall of gloom on the gathering. “My wife Chhabi and I are childless. If one of us dies, please make sure that you get a doctor to write the death certificate,” said the retired school teacher.
The oldest to be felicitated was Rekha Chatterjee, 81. “I spent 20-22 years in various corners of the country as my husband was in the air force. I stay with my younger daughter in New Town for three years now,” she said.
A total of 12 residents were felicitated by children of the block, a move that the elderly folk appreciated.