"Dilip Kumar was forty two and Saira Banu was twenty-two when they married. He is sixteen years older than me, did you know?"
I didn't. I was in an old age shelter on the Gurgaon-Faridabad border and chatting with JP Dutta. At the age of 78 years old, he still remembered his favourite Guru Dutt song and enthusiastically narrated the plot of Jugnu, a 1948 film starring Dilip Kumar.
For elderly people battling loneliness, the most precious gift one can give is time. Just someone to listen to their anecdotes about days gone by and a way for them to relive their favourite memories. As a part of The Quint's #SpreadTheLight campaign, I decided to visit an old age shelter and celebrate Diwali with them; by gossiping about Raj Kapoor, singing songs and gorging on ladoos.
So guys, just take out a few minutes from your day, not much to ask, and #SpreadTheLight . And while you are at it, upload your videos and photographs on Facebook and twitter or write in to spreadthelight@thequint.com. Don’t forget to challenge three of your friends to #SpreadTheLight and tag The Quint.
Happy Diwali!
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