(Trinidad Guardian) She has reached the remarkable age of 110, yet centenarian Dharmie Deo, affectionately known as Moyo, still does not wear glasses.
It was only about ten years ago that her eyesight began to weaken, and only recently did she start to experience memory loss. No longer able to cook or clean, as her health declines, she reminisces about her childhood, remembering stories from her father, Joot, an Indian indentured labourer from Uttar Pradesh, about his journey to Trinidad on the Fatel Razack.
Joot had been tricked into coming to Trinidad, and after he served his indentureship, he made his life in Trinidad, leaving Moruga to settle in Penal.
Last weekend, the community of Penal celebrated Deo’s 110th anniversary with cake, ice cream, song, and dance. A team from the Division of Ageing, led by Minister of Social Development Donna Cox, attended the celebrations and presented Deo with a Certificate of Honour.
Speaking to Guardian Media, her daughter-in-law, Baby, revealed that Deo still enjoys eating sweets and drinking Chubby. Baby’s husband, Kumar, is Deo’s last surviving child, and they reside in Digity Village, Penal.
Asked about her secret to longevity, Baby shared that Deo loved hard work and had spent most of her life gardening and selling in the Marabella and Penal markets.
Earlier in life, Deo and a group of friends spent weekends singing at weddings and farewells, as well as participating in the Divali Nagar and other Indian shows in her community.
She remained sharp until her late nineties, selling her produce and offering life advice to her 40 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren.
Baby noted that as a mother of seven, Deo had plenty of experience in parenting and was straightforward about raising children properly.
Despite losing six of her children and her husband, Deo has maintained her grace and quiet demeanour. The family’s home is situated atop a hill where the gentle breeze brings solace to Deo.
She prefers to eat lightly, saying, “I don’t like to feel full. These days, I feel heavy.” Her diet consists of homegrown chicken, crix, and quarter of a roti. She feels blessed to celebrate 110 years, expressing gratitude for her life. “I always said I would live to 110. Look, I made it. I don’t want anything in life. Anything I get, I am thankful.”
Baby said they were grateful for the time they have with Moyo and have all learned a lot from her.
