Companionship Carnival, a day-long event for senior citizens, conducted by Dignity Foundation, was hosted on Wednesday at Nagalakshmi Kalyanamantapa in Banashankari. The event started at 10 am with Kannada actor Sihi Kahi Chandru gracing the inauguration. The event was filled with thought-inspiring speeches and games.
Shimoga Subbanna and TV artiste Yamuna Murthy spoke on “Live-In partnership as the upcoming trend amongst senior citizens”. This talk was moderated by Shiv Kumar, a well-known advocate, and brought to the table an unconventional and quite a revolutionary solution to the loneliness and depression that most senior citizens face during their twilight years. Says Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder and president, Dignity Foundation, “Senior citizens Bipin and Chhaya met at a Chai Masti centre run by Dignity Foundation on Grant Road, Mumbai, and decided to get married in July 2006. But that was seven years ago. These days the ‘marriage’ part of the formality has been done away with, as older persons prefer to stay single but with a live-in companion sharing the same roof.”
Lively chatter and nostalgic camaraderie marked the event. After the speech, members took part in musical chairs and kho-kho. There was also a South Indian lunch, which was followed by a fashion show and animated discussions. Participants ended the day with a candle-lit dinner.