Fifteen years young: AHIA’s Senior Citizens’ Forum

There are fresh challenges for members of our community who move here from India in their senior years. But there are special avenues that help them settle in, says VIMLA LUTHRA.

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Australia and India have vastly different social and cultural values. Migrating here in one’s old age can be quite hard – it takes a much longer time to settle down. Little plants replanted grow easily, but big old trees mostly wither and finally die

When I moved here in 1994, I could not meet a single soul from among the humanity around me, of my own age and background, who I could meet and greet and talk to in my own language. A social vacuum constantly reminded me of my loneliness.

In March 1995, came a boon from the blue. Bindu Kalra, Nalna Sajde and Anju Maini visited me at my home. They informed me that Dr Rakesh Sachdeva was starting a Senior Citizens’ Club as a sub-branch of Australia Hindi Indians Association (AHIA) and asked me if I would like to join. I would love to, I replied readily, but how would I get there and back? Don’t worry, they said, we’ll take the responsibility of transporting you.
Today, fifteen years on, these lovely ladies are still driving me to the monthly meetings.

I remember clearly that first meeting, held in a community centre in Castle Hill. There were a small bunch of people, many of who I was meeting for the first time. There was Rakesh Sachdeva, myself, Mr and Mrs Gambhir Sr, Mr and Mrs Gambhir Jr, Mr and Mrs Gakhar, Ishwari and her husband Vimal. And Mrs Dhir. To this day, I can’t forget Mrs Dhir, who came in a wheelchair from her nursing home. She wept constantly.
We introduced ourselves and learnt about each other. Bindu, Nalna, Rani and Anju, also present, served us snacks and drinks lovingly. At the end, we eagerly set a date for the next meeting.

The news spread rapidly and by the end of the month, there were enough interested Seniors for us to move to Parramatta Library. Members were happy to meet like-minded people and spend a few hours with the new friends.

Soon, people’s talents began to come to the fore and we began to have songs and poems, small talks and plenty of information. Mr Gambhir helped organise these little ‘cultural programs’, with Rakesh Sachdeva supervising. Soon we had people from various organisations invited to talk to us about issues that confront us – old age issues of physical and mental health, community care programs, etc. The entertainment programs took on wider scope, with picnics and cruises and music shows with leading Sydney entertainers. Bingo was introduced for our pleasure, as well as movie shows.

Amongst our members, we unearthed rich talent – we had poets and singers, writers and speakers, debaters and dancers! Like old gems, hidden for so long, they are all showing their true colours now and shining brightly. 
We have now been meeting at Westmead for years.

The first Senior Citizens Club in the Indian community here, it has grown, in fifteen years, from a tiny seedling into a large banyan tree – under the shade of which some 150 members relax. It has also forged the way for many other such clubs to spring up in different parts of the city.
The monthly magazine News and Views is praiseworthy. Thanks to it, we are rediscovering the values of our old life, and are always thrilled to see each others’ faces in it, glowing with warmth and happiness.

No doubt, running the Seniors Club is colossus work. It is truly the result of the never-stopping efforts of its executive members Dr Sachdeva, Mr Bajaj. Mr Tilak Kalra, Mr Yash Bhasin, Mr Rajendra Channa and others. Each of them manage different portfolios to run the movement effectively. Members are ferried to and from railway stations. A sumptuous tea is served every meeting.
Of course, behind every successful man, there is a woman. Each of these executive members is supported whole heartedly by their better halves. Sarita, Raj, Bindu, Nalna, Rani, Subhashini, Charanbir are all like Annapurnas serving tea ever smilingly.

Seniors in the Indian community keenly look forward to the second Saturday of each month. From every direction, they come to participate in an afternoon of fun.

I wish to thank the organisers, all of who have brought sunshine, warmth and happiness in our lives. Even the government has lauded their efforts: the NSW Government has awarded Dr Rakesh Sachdeva and Dr Yash Bhasin with Achievement Awards, and the Australian Government has recognized Dr Tilak Kalra, Santram Bajaj, Raj Bajaj, Sarita Sachdeva and Bindu Kalra for their selfless service to Senior Citizens