A large number of senior citizens, braving early morning chill, gathered at Sector 18 Community Centre this morning to participate in a yoga contest organized for them by their Association. There were some 30 participants in the age-group 60 to 90 and about the same number of inspiration-seekers. Some of the participants had undergone knee and/or hip replacements and some others had a history of cardiac or pulmonary ailments. What bound them together was the will to prove to themselves and to the younger generations that they had the will and the never-say-die spirit to overcome all handicaps, and play an active role in Society.
The competition started at 8 a.m. and continued till about 10 a.m. There were five categories in all: two each for men and women and a special one for those above 85 and persons with physical disabilities.
Following are the results:
Ser | Category | Winner | |
1 | Women up to 70 years | Smt Vidya Sachdev | |
2. | Women above 70 years | Smt Kailash Rana | |
3 | Men up to 70 years | Col. Harjinder Singh | |
4 | Men above 70 years | Brig. Keshav Chandra | |
5 | Persons above 85 or those with knee/ hip replacements | Col HS Sarao |
The competition was judged by Inspector Ram Gopal of Chandigarh Police, an International Yoga Champion and other selected judges.
President of the Association, Brig. Keshav Chandra, 76, who himself participated in the competition along with several members of the Governing Body (including Vice President Surjit Kaur, who had recently undergone TKR of both knees), stated that games and sports competitions had now been thrown open to members of sister Associations as well. Physical exercise, combined with healthcare lectures and a sensible diet plan, goes a long way in countering old age infirmities, he said.