Mrs Sanmateea Beeharry, born in Valetta on 05 September 1921, celebrated her 100th birthday, this morning, at Fook Look Soo Hall, in Tranquebar, Port-Louis.
A ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to honour the new centenarian. The latter was gifted a cheque amounting Rs 21,836; another one to the tune of Rs 10,000 from the National Solidarity Fund; a bouquet; a centenarian medal; one certificate; and one mixer-grinder, by the authorities.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Marie Christiane Dorine Chukowry, the Lord Mayor of the Municipal City Council of Port Louis, Mr Moussa Cader Saïb, a representative from the Senior Citizens Council, and the close relatives of Ms Beeharry, were present at the event.
In her address, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo wished Ms Beeharry a prosperous life and recalled that the centenarians are the repositories of values and traditions and, with their rich life experiences, play an instrumental role as guides for the new generation. Every elderly person contains a wealth of knowledge, and can be viewed as living historical treasures, she said. She stated that it is heart-warming to celebrate the birthday of a centenarian and she expressed the wish for Ms Beeharry to remain healthy and live longer.
Speaking about the welfare of the elderly, the Minister announced that an app will soon be launched where the elderly will be able to report any form of abuse. Furthermore, she recalled that an additional 250 doctors have been recruited by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity who will effect home visits to those above 60 years or who are bedridden and receive a Carer’s Allowance. She also appealed to the elderly to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Latest statistics from the Welfare and Elderly Persons’ Protection Unit, Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, show that Mauritius has recorded, as at 02 September 2021, a total of 180 centenarians from Mauritius and Rodrigues. In Mauritius, the number of female centenarians stands at 142 and males 28 while in Rodrigues, the number of centenarians recorded are seven females and three males. For the month of September, ten centenarians will celebrate their birthdays. They all benefit from a monthly pension of Rs 21,710 from the government.
