by Richie Lasrado, Resident Editor, Daijiworld.com
Mangalore, Mar 17: With all the strides made in the medical field, with promotion of anti-oxidants aimed at arresting the ageing process and raising of the longevity level as a result of a better quality of life, very rarely do we come across nonagenarians or centenarians in modern times.
A seventy-plus acquaintance recently received a birthday card which read: "Do you know the secret of your looking much younger for your age?" The punchline inside screamed: "Because in the olden days, they used to make things to last longer!"
Marian Pais
True, besides health unaffected by pollution or toxic elements unlike modern times, our seniors and ancestors, during their prime years, had a better, disciplined way of life. Without having to go for gym sessions or jogs, they had a lot of built-in exercise - 'in-house' workout in the truest sense of the term - what with household chores like drawing water from the well.
Today's is a fast-moving world. Gadgets like grinders, washing machines and remote-control have reduced us into couch potatoes. Lack of exercise and a deadly combination of 'Hurry-worry-curry' has contributed to the alarming rise in the incidence of diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol et al.
Adorning the gallery of rare centenarians amongst us was Marian Pais of Saripalla, off Kulshekar, Mangalore, who, after a life of fulfilment and contentment, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2007.
Those were the days when Italian missionaries were engaged in the service of the poor, esp of the Koraga community. Fr Corti, Fr Gaviraghi and others were the pioneers in this service. Fr Gaviraghi gave Marian Pais, then still in his early twenties, the charge of helping the poor. There was opposition from vested and feudal interests.
During the tenure and even after the demise of the missionaries, Marian continued to serve the poor and helped them to be empowered and taught them to resist the oppression and harassment from the feudalistic landlords. In all, he served at eight centes - Naravi, Peradi, Venur, Nainadu, Madantyar, Ujire, Bangadi and Kadaba - aggregating to a whopping 57 years. In 1986, he had a fall, resulting in grave injury to his legs and hands, which forced him to seek voluntary retirement. Otherwise, he would have served the community much longer.
After a momentous record of long service, Marian Pais called it a day on the morning of Friday, March 16, 2007. His final rites took place in the Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar the same evening, in the presence of a large gathering.
He is survived by wife Cecilia, sons Boniface and Calistus and daughter Eugene.