As part of my internship, I had the opportunity of attending a Happy2Age introductory session at the Crystal Centre, Raheja, Chandivali. Around twenty senior citizens joined us to learn more about what we do and how it could bring joy and positivity to their lives. We began the session with an ice-breaker activity -throwing a ball to introduce ourselves which helped everyone learn each other’s names. The initial hesitations melted away into smiles and giggles, creating an atmosphere of joy and playfulness as if they had returned to their childhood days.
Next, we played a group activity that involved walking around the room and following fun instructions, which brought more laughter and interaction among the participants. The mingling and shared excitement truly highlighted the power of community and togetherness. Our founder, Ms. Sugandhi Baliga, then introduced the vision of Happy2Age, emphasizing the foundation’s weekly sessions designed to engage seniors in activities that promote motor skills, mental stimulation, cognition, communication and a sense of purpose.
This session taught me a valuable lesson: age is just a number. Watching the seniors rediscover joy and realize they can still have fun and feel cared for was heartwarming.
Many of them let go of the belief that older individuals should be restricted to fixed routines or traditional roles. This experience has left me inspired and grateful to witness the impact of Happy2Age in transforming lives.
Mirelle Miranda