| Going great guns at 90 | ||||
| Age is just a number for these young at heart nonagenarians. | ||||
| express news service | ||||
|
Pune, April 8, 2005: An active life, a go-getter’s attitude and eternally young characterises Pune’s nonagenarians. Even at their ripe old age, these citizens live a full life. They share their reminiscences and their secret to a healthy life
Dr. Renato Gracias, 93, a general practitioner and microbiologist, served as a health officer in the Pune Camp from 1942-1952. Thereafter, he served as a health officer in the Pune Municipal Corporation for almost served for two decades. Former president of Poona Goan Institute he started the Poona Goan Cultural Group there during his 26 year tenure, to promote the folk music and Goan dancing. He sets Camp rocking with the annual Goan Carnival at the PGI.
A FULL DAY: Post-retirement, Gracias had penned his memoirs and letters to his children, which were released by his children and grand-children at his 60th wedding anniversary in 2002. ‘‘These days, with my children and grand children have settled in Canada and Portugal, I spend time talking to them on telephone and penning letters. “My day begins at 7 and I make tea and breakfast myself. This is followed by afternoon lunch with my wife, Prudence. On occasion, we host a dinner for our close friends with a glass of wine and Goan food, “he adds.
LONGEVITY LINES: Like the good-natured doctor he is, Gracias believes that his longevity is due to a balanced diet. “I eat healthy food in a moderate quantity. Longevity is in my genes. My father lived to be 93 and my mother 100!”
WISHES: To experience a peaceful passing away.
Mirdegan Morteza, 90 The oldest baker and confectioner in Camp, Mirdegan Morteza can still be seen at his Husseny Bakery, supervising the baking of breads, cakes, toasts and kharis. Born in the family of farmers in Iran, he migrated to Pune along with his uncle when he was only 11. Like many Iranis, he set up the bakery against odds.
TREASURED TIMES: “My most memorable times were when I went cycling up and down to Khadki from Taboot Street to deliver 60 bagful of bakery items to Ammunition Factory and Supply Depot. My day would begin 5.30 am and I would start baking right from burning the coals and heating the ovens,” he muses.
A FULL DAY: For decades, Morteza’s routine has remained constant. He wakes up at dawn, recites from the Holy Book and goes for a four-kilometer walk to Race Course and back to the Bakery. On his return, he oversees the entire work, before walking back to his residence for his breakfast. Again, before going off to bed, he ensures to take the last round of supervision. “I prepare my own cup of tea and eat with toast along with my wife. At the bakery if our manager is on leave, I stand at the counter serving the customers. Lunch is chicken soup with brun, vegetables and salad. In between the meals, I drink a lot of fruit juices. Dinner is normally again a soup with brun.”
LONGEVITY LINES: “Long life is in my genes. My mother passed away when she was 90 years old, while my father passed away at a ripe old age of 103. My elder sister is 95,” he says.
WISHES: To globetrot across the globe and feel the mystic beauty of life.
Father Joseph Neuner, SJ, 96 Fr Neuner is a renowned theology professor teaching at different theological institutes. Through his long life he has witnessed landmark events such as the two World Wars, the rise of Nazism and communism and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Fr Neuner came to India and Pune due to an accident of fate - two others who had been appointed to be sent to Pune were not able to get the certificate of tropical fitness while Fr Neuner was able to do so. Neuner has written several books.
TREASURED TIMES: “Working in the service of Church life in India has always being my mission. I treasured the moments when I shared my insights on theology with the priests and parishes. I have been lucky to have been in close association with Mother Teresa and a committee member when preparatory steps had been taken in the process of beatification. Not only that, I was in close contact with Mother Anna Huberta in setting up the Helpers of Mary, a diocesan congregation of the Archbishop of Bombay, “ muses Fr Neuner.
A FULL DAY: Ask him what is his way of life today and he smiles. “By God’s grace, I do not suffer from any ailments. I spend time meeting with people who come to seek my spiritual guidance. I read books on the Church life from across the globe. I also write forewords and prefaces for books penned by theology scholars as well as letters to my Jesuit friends.”
His day starts at 5.30 am with prayers, followed by a walk. My meals are a typical Indian breakfast and lunch, while for dinner I prefer a bowl of soup with chappatis. My day ends at sharp ten pm.”
LONGEVITY LINES: ‘‘Life is immortal. It must be carried on in the service of humanity without thinking about dying,”he believes.
WISHES: To meet the new Pope when he is elected.
Brother John Alphonso, SJ, 91 Instrumental in establishing many Jesuit educational institutions in Goa, Belguam and other parts of India, Br Alphonso also served as a supervisor when St Vincent Night College was started in 1981. He also served as minister of the Loyola Father House in Pashan and Vincent House in Camp looking after the administrative and financial needs of the priests. Currently, he is in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
TREASURED MOMENTS: An alumnus of Mumbai’s St Santa Claus School Br Alphonso recalls his school days. “During a cricket match, I had taken three wickets with the ball lifting their stumps. Since then, I was called ‘the deadly bowler.’ Even after I joined the Society of Jesuits, the school magazine announced that ‘our deadly bowler has joined the SJ. I also spent 13 years in Belguam on a 500 acres farmhouse cultivating fruits, vegetables and growing plants,” he remembers.
A FULL DAY: ‘‘I wake up at 2.30 am and have a quick bathe and shave. This is followed by a hour of prayer and meditation. Thereafter, I sing songs with my rosary, followed by a mass at a chapel in Vincent House.
This is followed by a glass of milk with porridge and cornflakes and a hour-long nap. I then engage in reading spiritual books and magazines.’’ Lunch comprises one vegetable and chicken curry, chappatis and salads. Rice is strictly no-no. The evenings are spent reading books. During my spare time, I assemble on my stamps in an album,” he muses.
LONGEVITY LINES: “Live a normal, healthy and happy life without letting anxious worries bugging you. Keep yourself busy pursuing your favorite pastime,” he philosophies.
WISHES: To live the rest of his life peacefully.
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