A Park for Grandparents

Seniors from Mumbai?s Dada Dadi Park take part in cricket tournaments, talent contests and even have a record in the Limca Book to their credit. Run by the Pushpa Maa Foundation, this elders group is one of a kind. By Reshmi Chakraborty

Sometime earlier this year, an unusual Facebook update caught our eye ? a 16 vs 60 cricket match being played in Mumbai. The match was being played between seniors of the Pushpa Maa Foundation in Borivili and the youths of Silver Innings Foundation, an organisation that works with senior citizens in the city. The cricket team, along with several other activities for seniors, is one of the many initiatives undertaken by Pushpa Maa Foundation which runs Dada Dadi Park in Borivili, Mumbai. The Pushpa Maa Foundation was established by Shri Vinubhai Walia, who was the sole donor and inspiration behind it.

A senior at the cricket tournament. Pic courtesy: Silver Innings FC

The cricket team, which often wins matches, practices every morning. There are several seniors interested in cricket, says Suren Kothari, one of the committee members with the foundation, who spoke to us. ?Many of them gave up playing as life?s demands took over and have got back to the game with renewed interest in their retirement years. The number of participants at the practice sessions sometimes goes up to 60. Other sporting activities for seniors at Dada Dadi Park includes carom tournaments and chess,? Mr Kothari adds.

The foundation opens up avenues for seniors they would have earlier found difficult to access. Yoga training is available for those interested, as is computer education. Seniors interested in technology can join free computer training classes held by the foundation. The foundation also ensures that its members stay in shape by having doctors on board. ?We have tie ups with local hospitals, dentists, orthopaedics, homeopaths and eye surgeons, among others,? says Mr Kothari. They also offer free eye check ups, cataract operation at a concessional rate, distribution of medicines and medical check up camps as part of the health care facilities being arranged for their members. The senior citizens also have a musical team. Regular classes are held for members free of cost and members perform at various venues, with a choreographer coming in to train them in dance routines too! Very recently, the team was selected to participate in a TV show as part of a movie promotional.

The seniors from Dada Dadi Park

Created in 2006, exclusively for senior citizens, The Dada Dadi Park has three units in Borivili, Mumbai. The current membership number runs around 7000 senior citizens, with many on the waiting list. Members are charged a lifetime fee of Rs 102 and in return get several facilities.

The park centres are open daily (except Sundays and bank holidays) from 8 am to 9 am and every evening from 5pm to 7pm. Members are provided tea, coffee, milk or tomato soup, depending on their taste. There?s also a library, with a collection of books and newspapers in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English. ?They have their tea, read newspapers or books, watch TV,? says Kothari. Activities that mirror what many of these seniors would have done at home but here, as Kothari puts it, ?it?s done in the company of friends and without any obligation to anyone.?

Festivals are a big hit with the members and they celebrate everything with equal gusto, including even a Jalebi-Fafda festival! The seniors here have also created a record, which appeared in The Limca Book of Records for the maximum number of elders assembling and singing the national anthem. The enthusiastic lot also arrange picnics, apart from competitions with their other units and groups and contribute to charitable causes. A group that loves life and lives it to the fullest, the Pushpa Maa Foundation run Dada Dadi Park truly makes the most of the retired years.

To join or find out more details visit their webpage http://www.dadadadipark.org/index.html