The Maharashtra United Nations Association (MUNA) in collaboration with Indian Federation of United Nations Association (IFUNA), New Delhi and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for India and Bhutan, New Delhi observed World Health Day 2012 on 13 April 2012 in Mumbai at Jabir Hall, Islam Gymkhana, Marine Drive, South Mumbai at 5.30pm.

At the outset, colourful balloons with the placard carrying theme of World Health Day 2012 “Ageing and Health – Good Health adds Life to Years” were released against the magnificent background of the blazing red setting sun in the azure blue waters of Arabian Sea from the terrace of Islam Gymkhana by the Chief Guest being assisted by the girl students of Anjuman - e - Islam Begum Sharifa Kalsekar English school.
The formal function started with the formal singing of National Anthem. This was followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp by the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and the Speakers of the evening.

Mrs. Mohini Mathur Executive. Chairperson of MUNA extended a warm welcome to Director UNIC, Secretary General of IFUNA and all those present in the hall. She spoke about the relevance of theme “Ageing and Health “and said this is extremely relevant in contemporary society. She further added that today with nuclear and dispersed families and an increase in life expectancy a new method has to be adopted to support the cause of senior citizens. She said UN has several policies and programmes for elderly which United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki – Moon in the international year of elderly 2009 emphasized the need to treat older people as they are both agents and beneficiaries of development.

The dignitaries on the dais were felicitated with beautiful crystal trophies and flowers. MUNA Youth members presented flowers as token of affection to the Diplomats of South Africa, Malaysia and Iran and other nations. Mrs.Meena Srivastava and Prof. Dr. Varsha Rokade were felicitated by Mr. Kapadia and Dr. Dhebri, members of MUNA Governing Council.

Mr. A.A.Syed Secretary General of MUNA elaborated the aims and objectives of MUNA and its activities such as observance of UN designated days, organizing debates, conferences, seminars, quiz competitions, walkathon and youth activities to promote and propagate the ideals of United Nations. He also mentioned about the active participation and support from IFUNA and UNIC. Mr. Syed further explained the continuous hard work carried out by MUNA for last more than four decades.
Dr. Sheshadari Chari – Vice President of IFUNA, New Delhi said about the importance of observance of UN designated days such as world health day and he shared his experiences of working with United Nations.

Distinguished Guest Speaker on the Panel H. E. Niu Qingbao, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Mumbai and former Deputy Mayor of Nankai District, Tianjin Municipality addressed the gathering and shared statistical information about the issues related to health amongst the elderly population in China. H. E. Niu Qingbao further explained about the theme in detail with comparative analysis between India and China.

Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra D. Bapat Professor Emeritus Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at the Seth G. S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai and Ex-Vice Chancellor Mahatma Gandhi Mission University of Health Sciences and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences was also on the panel of Guest Speaker.

Prof. Bapat addressed the medical problems of the elderly. He stressed on various aspects of naturotherapy and healthy life style for senior citizens. He explained to the youth the importance of balanced healthy life with right kind of food, sleep and exercise for longevity and disease free life in old age. He also explained various myths and realities about health for aged.

Guest of Honour Mr. Suresh Srivastava, Secretary General IFUNA, New Delhi and Vice President WFUNA, New York complimented MUNA for organizing various programmes with unique and innovative ideas. He then explained the role of government for protection and promotion of rights of senior citizens. Mr. Srivastava further added that government needs to be more sensitive towards the problems faced by elderly and said “Welfare and Maintenance of Parents and Senior Citizen’s Act, 2007” needs to be implemented in its true spirit.

The Chief Guest for the evening Mrs. Kiran Mehra – Kerpelman, Director United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for India and Bhutan, New Delhi read out the United Nations Secretary General’s Message on the occasion of World Health Day 2012.

It is worth mentioning here that Mrs. Mehra-Kerpelman has been a Senior Communication Manager at the ILO, as Chief of Web, Information Production and Dissemination Section for the Department of Communication, prior to which she was the Managing Editor and Production Manager of the ILO’s flagship magazine World of Work. She was also responsible for initiating and organizing events, including the commemoration of special UN days. She has also visited many countries around the world with eminent journalists assessing work ethics.

In her address Mrs. Mehra remarked that the Spanish language had actually got it right. The word for retirement in Spanish is jubilaciὀn (jubilation), meaning celebration and happiness and as UN Secretary-General says in his message, “Increased longevity is a cause for celebration and something to which we all aspire”.

Mrs. Kiran Mehra – Kerpelman appreciated the initiative taken by MUNA and congratulated the Maharashtra United Nations Youth Association (MUNYA) in organizing this programme to observe World Health Day 2012.

The students of Department of Human Development, SNDT Women’s University performed a skit focusing on intergenerational gap and elder abuse. The play was very well enacted and left a great impact on the audience. The play was directed by Mr. Suraj Joshi, film director from Bollywood with credit of making many Hindi and south Indian movies. MUNA appreciated and recognised the support of Mr.Suraj Joshi and Prof. Reeta Sonawat of SNDT Women’s University.

A band of youth group called ‘Addiction Band’ performed a fusion of various music forms like Indian Classical, Rock, African, and Arabian. Mr. Ojas Bhatt was the lead vocalist and also played the percussions. Mr. Varun Parikh and Mr. Ujas Vaghani were on guitars.

On this occasion MUNA recognized few senior citizens above the age of 80 who have made significant individual contribution from the metropolis of Mumbai such as freedom fighter, ethics in Business, international relations and social service. The recipients of the abovementioned awards were Mr. Mathuradas H. Mehta, Mr. Zainuddin Bandukwala and Mrs. Havovi Godrej-Dotivala.

As a token of appreciation and due credit for the support and cooperation extended by the Maharashtra United Nations Youth Association (MUNYA), students of SNDT Women’s University and youth Band “Addiction”, certificates of appreciation was given to them at the hands of Mrs. Kiran Mehra Kerpalman –Director UNIC, Mr. Suresh Srivastava Secretary General IFUNA and Ms. Mohini Mathur Ex. Chairperson - MUNA. A special hand of applause was given to Mr. Malhar Choudhry, Mr. Mohammed Ashrafi, Abhishek Srivastava, Bhargav Golla and Sankalp Devasthali who worked tirelessly to make this programme a success.

The function ended on a very cheerful note when Mr. Kishore Kuvavala enacted his laughter therapy. Mr. Kuvavala along with his team has made a chain laughter record where 260 types of  laughters  were made in one minute i.e. more than 4.3 in one second on 5th June, 2011 at Nana Nani park , Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai the same is registered by Limca book of records and  India Book of Records and published in their 2012 record book.

MUNA expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the management of Islam Gymkhanna in general and President Mr. M .Z. Siddiqui in particular who is also our Treasurer in MUNA for his cooperation and support to MUNA and the gracious gesture rendered by him for providing many facilities here.

The programme was compared by Mr. Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh, Secretary MUNA and President of Maharashtra United Nations Youth Association (MUNYA). Mr. Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh during the programme mentioned that “recent information shows that by 2025, those above the age of 60 shall be more than the children below the age of 5’.  Are we prepared to take up the challenges of elderly population with respect to their various social, health and financial needs? Therefore we need to create awareness and sensitize youth and other members of society”.

Executive Chairperson MUNA Ms. Mohini Mathur congratulated Mr. Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh for his hard work and zeal in organizing this programme along with MUNA office bearers and youth team. Director UNIC Mrs. Kiran Mehra – Kerpleman seconded Ms. Mathur.

MUNA also expresses it’s heartfelt thank for the support rendered by 1. Boxco Logistics India (P) Ltd., 2. Amin Trust 3. B.H.Antia Late Ervad Hormusji Pestonji Antia  4. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and 5. Principal Mrs. Shermin R. Syed, Head - Anjuman - e - Islam Begum Sharifa Kalsekar English School.

Dr. Govind N. Chainani, member of Governing Council MUNA proposed vote of thanks. This was followed by high tea at the terrace of Islam Gymkhanna.

MUNA also requested the invitees and guests to write their messages for World Health Day on a banner specially made for this occasion. The said banner was then handed over to Director UNIC Mrs. Kiran Mehra – Kerpelman for display at UNIC New Delhi. United Nations information Centre for India and Bhutan at New Delhi displayed the banner along with the written messages on its splendidly at a very prominent place in UNIC office for creating awareness about the issues of elderly.

The programme received adequate coverage by print and electronic media, namely Asian Age, Afternoon DC, Navbharat Hindi and News 24 channel amongst others.