By Pola Singh | Malaysia |
There are gatherings we attend, enjoy and soon forget. Then there are those special occasions that remain in our hearts long after everyone has returned home. The 80 Plus Golden Seniors’ Malaysia Day celebration on 14 September 2026 was one of those memorable evenings.
About 50 enthusiastic seniors came together in Petaling Jaya for what became much more than a dinner. It was a celebration of friendship, our Punjabi heritage and, above all, our love for Malaysia—the country in which most of us were born and raised, and which gave us the opportunity to build meaningful lives.
The evening began on a deeply patriotic note. We stood proudly to sing Negaraku, followed by three spirited shouts of “Merdeka!” We then joined in singing Saya Anak Malaysia, a song that expressed what many of us felt in our hearts. Whatever our ethnicity, religion or family background, Malaysia is our home. We are proud Malaysians, and our individual journeys form part of the larger story of this nation.
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For many of us, that story began with our parents, who came from the Indian subcontinent with little more than courage, determination and hope. They arrived in an unfamiliar land and worked extraordinarily hard to build better lives for their families. Many laboured on estates, worked on the railways, joined the police force or accepted whatever honest employment was available. Life was difficult, but they seldom complained.
They endured hardship so that their children could receive an education, find respectable employment and enjoy opportunities that they themselves had been denied. They taught us to work hard, live within our means, respect others and never take our blessings for granted. Their sacrifices laid the foundation upon which our generation built its life.
Our own upbringing was not always comfortable. Money was limited, and every ringgit had to be carefully spent. We learnt to share, make do with what we had and wait patiently for the things we wanted. New clothes were often reserved for festive occasions, and food was never wasted. We may not have possessed much materially, but we were rich in family bonds, values and community spirit.
Those early struggles shaped our character. They taught us discipline, perseverance, resilience and delayed gratification. Most importantly, they taught us gratitude. Looking around the room that evening, I could not help reflecting on how far we had travelled—from modest beginnings to lives of dignity, stability and purpose.
Among those present were people who had served Malaysia and their communities in many different capacities. We became teachers, civil servants, professionals, entrepreneurs, administrators and community leaders. Some contributions were highly visible, while others were made quietly within families, workplaces and neighbourhoods. Whatever their scale, all helped in some way to make Malaysia what it is today.
Malaysia has given us the space and opportunities to grow. It gave us schools in which to learn, institutions in which to serve, careers through which to progress and a relatively peaceful country in which to raise our families. No nation is perfect, and our journey has not always been smooth. Nevertheless, when we look honestly at our lives, we must acknowledge how much this country has given us.
Such gratitude should not end with words. It should inspire us to give something back.
At this stage of life, giving back does not require wealth, an important position or a grand project. It may mean sharing our experience with younger people, supporting someone in difficulty, volunteering for a worthy cause or offering companionship to a person who feels lonely. Sometimes a telephone call, an invitation to a gathering or a few encouraging words can mean more than we realise.
For me, helping to bring our seniors together is a form of sewa—the Sikh principle of selfless service. Sewa reminds us that service should be offered sincerely and humbly, without expecting recognition or reward. When we serve with the simple intention of making others feel happy, valued and included, we cannot go wrong.
I have received so much throughout my life—from my parents, my community and my country. Now it is my turn to give back. If my small contribution can bring seniors together, put smiles on their faces and help them feel less isolated, that is reward enough for me.
The organising committee—Dr Hemat, Datuk Sarjit Singh Sekhon, Preton Singh and Jasvinder S. Ahluwalia—deserves our heartfelt appreciation for creating an evening filled with warmth, laughter and fellowship. The singing, conversations, photographs and video reminded us that growing older does not mean withdrawing from life. We may walk a little more slowly, but we can still laugh heartily, sing proudly and enjoy the company of old and new friends.
The warm messages received after the celebration confirmed that the evening had touched many hearts. One participant described it as “a resounding success” and looked forward to more such gatherings. Inderjit Singh wrote: “Dear Pola, great job—you made our day. I cannot thank you enough. I sincerely appreciate what you are doing and how well you are doing it.”
These generous words are not praise for one individual, but serves as an encouragement for everyone who contributed to the occasion. No successful gathering is ever the work of one person. Its true spirit comes from all those who organise it, attend it and bring their warmth, enthusiasm and friendship to it. Overall the comments meant a great deal to the Organising Committee because it confirmed that the gathering had achieved its purpose. People returned home feeling happier, more connected and grateful to have been part of something meaningful.
A video capturing the joy and patriotic spirit of the celebration can be viewed here: 80 Plus Golden Seniors’ Malaysia Day celebration.
At 80 plus, every gathering is precious. Our remaining years should not be spent waiting for others to make the first move. Let us meet more often, renew old friendships, welcome new friends and continue creating joyful memories together. Let us also remember the sacrifices that brought us here and remain grateful to the country that allowed us to become who we are.
Malaysia has given us so much. Now, through sewa and in whatever way we can, it is our turn to give back.
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Dr Pola Singh, who retired as Maritime Institute of Malaysia director-general in 2011, is also the author of ‘Uphill — The Journey of a Sikh-Chinese Kampung Boy’
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