BY ARTI DAS | NT NETWORK
They may be in the twilight years of their life but no way are they ready to hang up their boots. This Elder’s Day, ‘The Navhind’ Times finds that the word elder is a misnomer for most are as enthusiastic, if not more, than a ‘younger’

They say your age is what you feel within, so if you are young at heart, age hardly matters. Following the very motto are some senior citizens who have a continuing passion towards life, working harder than most youngsters, proving beyond doubt that age is just a number.
The best example of it is none other than cartoonist from Siolim, Alexyz Fernandes who is currently working on two books and is also finishing another two on illustrations. It may look like lot of work to us but Alexyz does it with ease. “I take every day as it comes and enjoy my life. I never celebrated my 50th or 60th birthday; I celebrate each and every day of my life,” says 65-year-old Alexyz.
He reveals that life is very exciting and that excitement keeps him going. He is involved with social activities like treks and the famous plant festival of Siolim that he co-founded around 20 years ago. “I like to involve myself with various social activities as it keeps me going. Unlike other writers, I can’t write or for that matter illustrate in isolation as I need to be with people,” adds Alexyz who believes that he has reached his peak now and still has a long way to go.
At present he is busy updating his book on Goa while simultaneously working on a book on laughter.
Social worker, Ms Mangala Wagle exhibits a similar zest for life. Trustee of the Hamara School, St Inez, Panaji she works towards the betterment of street children.
She has been selected for the Verodino award for her contribution towards society. “For me rewards are secondary, but I feel happy that society is accepting the work we are doing. However, it is not quite ironic that the very same society discards these street children,” says Ms Wagle who actually did the job of lifting these children off the streets and worked towards uplifting them.
She adds that she does not like to crib and complain about life; she would rather work towards a solution. “Having a peaceful state of mind is very important. When I started this work more than 10 years ago I didn’t know how to go about thing, but I wanted to make a start,” adds Ms Wagle.
She also confirmed that she could achieve this success because of help people gave her. She is content with the fact that now the children from her school are doing well and are taking a lead in their life.
Taking the same inspiration is Ms Valene Correia Afonso from Benaulim who gets strength by being with children. “I work with children and teach them the songs and dances I learnt in my childhood. I tell my young students that elders are old and gold as we have earned wisdom through our experiences. Being with them I get physical and emotional strength,” adds Valene.
Valene is also instrumental in starting a one-of-its-kind grandmother’s club, which sees grandmothers in their 60s to great-grandmothers in their 80s coming together to share their life experiences. “It is a club where they can enjoy, relax and laugh together. On this Elder’s Day I look back at my youth, those days of innocence, and get inspired,” concludes Valene.