Display of Talent with Dignity 08/04/2013

Dignity Dialogue, a magazine brought out by Dignity Foundation celebrated its 18^th. anniversary  on  5^th. of this month in a unique way. The chief guest Mr.B.S.Raghavan, former civil servant, commenced  his speech claiming to be the oldest, (all of 86 years)  among the gathering and noticed he was not alone as someone in the audience raised his hand to join him. He stressed on a few points which needed urgent solutions which appeared  apt to the occasion. For instance he said people who are 80 plus should not be burdened with filing of tax returns as the loss of a few hundred crores to the department  is negligible compared to the lakhs   of crores ——–which  evoked a loud laughter from the whole gathering.  And  parents however much they love their children  should not part with their hard earned money  thinking  the latter would take care of them the rest of their life.

A few of the dignitaries  were given awards for their contribution in their respective field. After this came the  announcement  half a dozen members were eagerly waiting for which was to display their talent in front of  a nearly full auditorium. An elderly couple proudly walked up to the stage and rendered a classical song. The effortless way they sang showed the duo had practiced well to make a perfect job of it. Soon another senior citizen followed briskly with the help of his walking stick  and sang three Tamil songs of ‘Gantasala’  in his full throated voice. His enthusiasm and spirit was appreciated  by all. The lady dignitarians’ creativity came to the fore in the form of  poetry (which was an ode to Dignity Foundation), acting and conveying succinctly  gems from Tirukural. Ms.Sundera Gopalan stole the show with her one act play  taking the role of an eighty year old  mother-in-law and her middle aged daughter –in-law. The  former complains  about the latter being away most of the time at Dignity Foundation leaving her to take care of the house . ‘What’s so attractive and interesting at Dignity Foundation to make her daughter-in-law regularly visit  the place? ’ she wonders not very pleased at the thought. The younger lady  in her inimitable style convinces  the elderly lady  of the various benefits of  joining the Dignity Foundation and succeeds in making   her  a member. Once the  mother –in- law begins attending  a few meetings she turns into an admirer of the Foundation’s activities and decides  never to miss its  activities  henceforth.

Ms.Aruna Damodaran and Ms.Lakshmi  of Dignity Foundation  made the evening memorable with their lively anchoring.

n.meera raghavendra rao