“Great genes, a vegetarian diet and a good family” – that’s the secret to a long and happy life according to a 103-year-old.
Shanta Mulji celebrated her milestone birthday with those nearest and dearest to her at Blossomfield Grange care home on New Year’s Day.
Shanta was born in Gujarat, India where she grew up.
At 25 Shanta got married and soon after the wedding the newly weds embarked on a 19-day ship journey to Tanganyika, a British colony in East Africa, to begin their life together in the small town of Tanga where they lived for 12 years before moving to Dar es Salaam, the capital city, in 1959.
Shanta was a housewife who devoted her life to raising her eight children and running the household, as well as caring for her 11 grandchildren and looking after other family members.
She also had five great-grandchildren.
She enjoyed numerous holidays throughout her life, including trips to Florida, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Spain, Greece and other destinations, and loved Indian or Bollywood movies and spending time with her family.
Shanta’s husband died in 1981 at the age of 62.
Shortly after she moved to the UK and has lived a healthy and happy life, and isn’t the first in her family to reach centenarian status.
One of her older brothers lived to be 100-years-old, and another reached 99 years of age – a blessing she credits to her family’s good genes.
Shanta has never been admitted to hospital or experienced any serious health issues, and has never required any medication.
In honour of Shanta’s birthday, a special celebration was organised at the Worcester Way home, complete with balloons and cakes baked by the home’s head chef.
Shanta said: “I don’t feel or look 103, but it’s exciting to be celebrating another big birthday!” and when asked what the secret to a long life was, she said “having great genes, a vegetarian diet, and having good family around” certainly help.
Jag Singh, General Manager at Blossomfield Grange, added: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Shanta. As a much-loved resident at Blossomfield Grange, it was amazing to mark this tremendous milestone with her and hear her very good advice for living a long and happy life.”
