On Women’s Day, 104-year-old woman sets a healthy example

New Delhi: In an era when even youngsters and newborns are diagnosed with chronic diseases like diabetes and depression, a 104-year-old woman is a living inspiration for many Delhiites to lead a healthy life. Kartar Devi, who has been conferred a special award for women, doesn’t only live a disease- and drug-free life but continues to do chores like a young lady.

The sparkling eyes of Ms Devi have been eagerly waiting for Sunday, when she will be awarded a prestigious award on the occasion of Women’s Day from parliamentarians Najma Heptullah and Meenakshi Lekhi.

Talking to this newspaper, Ms Devi said it is indeed her pleasure to become a standard for her children and younger generations. Without any dependence on medicine, walking stick, hearing aid or reading glasses, Ms Devi leads a healthy life and does household chores.

Born in Pakistan, Ms Devi was married at the age of 20 and settled in Delhi with her family after Partition in 1947. With no formal education, she learnt to read and write Gurmukhi from her elder brother, who also taught her horse riding. Basking in the sun and shelling peas, Ms Devi recalls her days of youth when she used to visit the nearby village on horseback. “I was passionate about horse riding. It was a time when hardly any girl was allowed to learn any form of art. I am glad I did.”

Besides practising her hobby, Ms Devi also worked relentlessly to make ends meet in the new city. She took up her hobby of stitching as a mean of income and she stitched clothes for herself and neighbours and earned. “I have also been a working woman,” she says with a grin. Even today she stitches for her great-grandchildren who love to wear clothes made by her.

Her son, Narendra Kumar Nagpal, recalls his mother’s bravery when Ms Devi rescued her home when a few armed thieves entered her home. “I was young then, when a few thieves barged into our home intended to rob gold. It was our mother who rescued us.”