Senior Citizens Feted For Their Contributions To Society
By Khairunnisa Ibrahim

Bandar Seri Begawan - A warm and festive atmosphere filled the Manggis Ballroom of the Hua Ho Mall yesterday morning when more than 600 people turned up to celebrate the senior citizens of Brunei Darussalam in recognition of members of this golden generation's achievements and contributions towards the development of the nation.

The celebrated guests represented residents of Brunei aged 60 years and above from the country's four districts. Dressed in their best outfits, they mingled with one another and were entertained by a selection of performances by fellow senior citizens. A booth set up to provide free health screening also received brisk action from the guests throughout the event.

In her welcoming speech, the Director of Community Development, Datin Adina Othman said the Golden Citizens Day celebration aimed to demonstrate the nation's appreciation and gratitude for the contribution of the elderly. "It is also hoped to foster closer and tighter relations amongst those present and to promote the adoption of an active ageing lifestyle," said the chairperson of the event.

The Active Ageing practice, advocated by the Department of Community Development under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, promotes the involvement of the elderly in various activities and incentives that can contribute to the improvement of their physical, mental and emotional health. The department has also been actively promoting better care and concern for the elderly through its Caring for the Elderly family project.

The project, launched on June 22 last year, provides volunteer services and other forms of assistance to cater to the welfare of the elderly and includes the involvement of family members, non-governmental organisations as well as concerned individuals.

Present at the ceremony was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa (Rtd) Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Mohammad Daud, along with other senior officials at the ministry.

The minister took the podium and recited poetry, which was insinuated with light-hearted advisories for the elderly, including the virtues of keeping promises, eating correctly and practising good deeds. His pantun, a traditional form of poetry, was warmly received and applauded by the audience.

"(The poetry reading) was very enjoyable, and the way the messages in the pantun was conveyed was more effective than the usual speeches given by government officials," said Ahmad Bujang a 60-year-old headman of the Lorong Sikuna village in Kampong Ayer.

Among the highlights of the event was a Taichi performance by the Brunei Muara Taichi Association. This form of martial arts is long considered as greatly beneficial health-wise, with its slow and tranquil movements said to promote longevity, fitness and provide stress-release and mental relaxation. The animated performance became livelier and more memorable when the audience joined in, with the guest of honour and the honourees of the event copying the motions amidst much animated chatter and good natured banter among all those present.

The occasion yesterday was a belated celebration of the International Older Person's Day, which falls on October 1 annually. As of November 2006, there were 16,543 registered old-age pensioners in the country.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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