SHILLONG: Renowned French writer Victor Hugo once wrote, “When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.”
And happy it was for the 12 octogenarians who were felicitated by the Seng Kynthei Wahingdoh at Wahingdoh Community hall on Friday.
The elderly women, who were members of the Seng Kynthei Wahingdoh in their heydays, looked cheerful and reminisced about their younger days.
The founder member of Seng Kynthei Wahingdoh and its former president, Litia Kharbani, who was also felicitated, basked in the afternoon sun at the end of the programme and informed that she would celebrate her 91st birthday in May.
The president of Seng Kynthei, Niloufer Laloo, said women would often take part in Dorbar Shnong along with men.
The octogenarians are still aware of their rights and did not miss the opportunity to cast their votes on Tuesday.
“They are still enthusiastic about getting the opportunity to exercise their right to vote,” Laloo said.
The young generation accompanying the elderly did not miss the opportunity for photographs and the octogenarians happily agreed.
The chairperson of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor, said Khasi society is known for the respect it shows to the elderly.
Theilin Phanbuh, the chairperson of the Meghalaya Women’s Commission, said the presence of aged people in a family “adds warmth to the place”.
She added that women should pave the way for the younger generation to learn about respecting elders “which is on the wane”.
Phanbuh also spoke about International Women’s Day under the theme “Press for progress” for women to press forward in life.
