For members of old age home,the event was about games,gifts,great food and fun It took little coaxing for Florence from a village near Mangalore to break into an old Konkani song,which everyone seemed to have heard and yet wanted to hear again. After all,the resounding chorus in the room had just certified her reputation as a singing star of the day. Besides,she had just won a prize in a contest and had got herself photographed. She sang with the enthusiasm of a child and later blushed like one too. Moments like this made the onlooker forget that the venue of the impromptu concert was,in fact,supposed to be an old age home. For the record,this was a visit to the home by the Marriott Group of Hotels. During the interaction on Saturday morning,the staff of the hospitality department of the hotels spent some memorable moments with the elderly. The two-hour visit saw lots of games,gifts,great food and fun. Located in a tranquil pocket of bustling Andheri,the institution is run by a charity organisation named Little Sisters of the Poor. Set up in 1958,it gives about 150 senior citizens a place they call home,which runs completely on public charity. On Saturday morning,all the inmates left their troubles behind to play housie,sing their favourite numbers and crack jokes about each other. After more than an hour of laughter and fun,the lids were lifted from the food brought especially for the occasion. On the menu for the day was piping hot pulao,fish curry and lots of fruits and cakes. As Fernandes summed it up,Its a very,very lucky day today. The visit was organised as part of the Joy of Giving Week on its last day on Saturday. The week,which started on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2,saw many of the citys big names and organisations get into charity mode and lend a helping hand to those in need. With the Marriott Hotels spending some precious moments with these senior citizens,the week saw a befitting end. Speaking about the visit,Joslyn Pereira,from the Renaissance Hotel of the Marriott Group,said,We visit this home and spend time with them quite often. However,this being a week dedicated to charity,it was all the more special. We are happy we could bring about at least some difference in their lives. As the time came to take leave,there were beaming faces,handshakes and blessings all round. Stepping forward hesitatingly,Vincent said in halting English: We.very enjoyed., and then said in a heartfelt expression of gratitude in his native Tamil: Rhomba nandri!
