Margao: A resounding call was made to senior citizens to continue to be productive in their lives beyond their retirement. The call came at an event held by All Goa Senior Citizens Federation to felicitate the Help Age India head (Maharashtra and Goa) Prakash Borgaonkar.

The federation felicitated Borgaonkar and thanked him for his support to the association and senior citizens under the HelpAge India organisation. They thanked him for his contribution to the community for the past 35 years and wished him well for his life beyond his retirement.

Speaking on the occasion, Borgaonkar said it was important for the elderly to continue remaining productive even after retirement. “My experience for the past 35.5 years has been wonderful. I have realised that age is just a number, time will pass and you will be old but the thing is to be productive even in ageing and that is something that people need to understand. Productivity is the main issue. Active ageing means that you should be fit to take care of yourself because today no one has time for others,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion was president of the All Goa Senior Citizens Federation Diogo D’Costa, who said, “HelpAge India has been continuously helping us by arranging medical camps and medicines for our senior citizens and we are grateful.”

One thing that Borgaonkar has focused on was value education and that is something that needs to be highlighted among children today. If good values are instilled in children at home and in school, I am certain that many of the problems that senior citizens face today will be reduced.”