The Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity honoured, today, Mrs Marie Judith Charlot, a new centenarian, during a ceremony held at the Domaine de Rico, in Quatre Cocos. Affectionately known as ‘grand mère Tela’, Mrs Charlot attributes her longevity to the grace of God and her family who take good care of her.
Mrs Charlot, born on 14 November 1921, was gifted a cheque amounting Rs 21,836; a bouquet; a centenarian medal; one certificate; one mobile phone; and one microwave oven, by the authorities. The Senior Citizens Council offered the centenarian a gift in kind while the National Solidarity Fund presented her with a cash gift of Rs 10,000.
The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin, the Member of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of Committees, Mr Sanjit Kumar Nuckcheddy, and other personalities, as well as the close relatives of Mrs Charlot, were present at the event.
In his address, Minister Balgobin stated that ceremonies, such as the one being held today, are special as centenarian birthdays are not marked everyday and should be celebrated when the occasion presents itself. He recalled that Mauritius and the world are undergoing through a rough phase with the COVID-19 pandemic and that is why big gatherings of people are restricted to protect the population.
The Minister expressed the wish for Mrs Charlot to remain healthy and live longer as well as to lead a blissful and successful life. Government is working hard to continue providing support to the elderly in the form of old age pensions and other assistance schemes. Mr Balgobin further lauded the contribution of the elderly to the progress of the country.
Mrs Charlot was born in the village of La Laura, Bel Air Rivière Sèche, in a family of four children and she was the youngest child. Grand mère Tela got married at the age of 24 years and she gave birth to six children (four sons and two daughters). She has nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Moreover, at this age Mrs Charlot, who lives with her 62-year old son, still enjoys cooking her own food. She walks with a walking stick and has no major medical issues.
The Welfare and Elderly Persons’ Protection Unit of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, show that, to date, Mauritius and Rodrigues have recorded a total of 183 centenarians. They all benefit from a monthly pension worth Rs 21,710 from the government.
