Page 60 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024

fter watching Live to 100:
Secrets of the Blue Zones (2023)
on Netflix, I was inspired to find
others in the community who’d
lived to 100 (or rather, are close
and still going strong), to ask
them for some pearls of wisdom.
Not only did I get insight into
the secrets of their longevity,
but they also gave me a peek
into their lives well lived, their
precious memories, and other
priceless advice.

Wisdom from superagers
in the community.

B Y R UB Y SIRINAR ANG

I vividly recall the events when World War II started around the 1940s.
I heard sirens, and my parents held our hands and showed us the way
to hide safely. I wasn’t scared because I had my parents with me all the
time. I also remember bad floods, which made my family temporarily
relocate to a 2-3 storey Thai-style wooden house until the water receded.

What technological and social changes have you lived through?

There wasn’t much technology available when I was a child. Back then,
news was communicated in the Indian community via announcements
JANAK GAMBHIR made at the Hindu Samaj Bangkok. In fact, the invention of the
85 years old telephone occurred years after my wedding! It was a big deal to have
Housewife black and white TV, which eventually gave way to colour TV. My kids
got me a smartphone four or five years ago and showed me how to
What are some of your earliest childhood use WhatsApp so we could stay in touch. But beyond just making a
memories? Any historical events that you remember? connection, I discovered a new realm of knowledge. I’ve since developed

I remember growing up in a loving and respectful environment, and a strong interest in, and curiosity about, Indian politics.

being 3rd eldest among 10 siblings, I distinctly recall that I was my Those days, social gatherings were usually in people’s homes. We had
eldest brothers’ favourite sister, and a mother figure to the younger ‘plathoo’ parties, later Tupperware parties, and then ‘penang pot’ parties.
ones. I used to love singing, and in fact performed on stage in school Wedding ceremonies were simpler then, with most held in homes and
and won first 1st prize, a THB 20 reward. The name of the song was main rituals in the Hindu Samaj Bangkok. Of course, over the years,
“Nirbal Se Ladai Balwan Ki – Toofan aur Diya”, and I still remember our social way of life has changed dramatically, and celebrations are
the lyrics today! more fancy and glamorous and celebrated more in hotels.