Online edition of Sunday Observer

Centenarians surviving beyond their 113th year are extremely rare. It is thought that only one 115-year-life can be expected in 2.1 billion lives. And O.T. Engonona in celebrating 114 years of life, has joined a rare group of centenarians, of whom only two cases have been verified. According the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest living woman, from Morley Michigan USA was born on January 21, 1887, while the oldest living man was born on January 22, 1889 in Sardinia, Italy. Although there are no written records to authenticate Engonona's age or her exact date of birth, the Centenarian Study Team claim that they are able to determine her age through verification of events related by her and certain other documented evidence that are available.

"There is no better achievement in life, than living life to its full measure." If a philosopher hasn't already coined the phrase or something akin, it is time someone did. For, as demonstrated by a charming little old lady, who happens to be the oldest living Lankan, life beyond the expected realm is indeed a significant achievement. It is especially so, in this age of instant food, disposable values and ephemeral shelf life, where it is easier to replace than repair, let go than hold tight and lose hope than have faith.

Perhaps living longer than anybody else is even more significant than climbing the tallest mountain, running the fastest marathon, or owning the biggest business-empire. For, as an American philosopher once said 'To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach'.And O.T.(Othalange)Engonona, frail, hunched and traces of past beauty still visible on the lined face and wrinkled skin, has certainly had no teachers to guide her in the long winding road to 114 years of living. Not even a formal school education.

Born the youngest in a family of six siblings in Thalpe, Mihiripenna, Galle, way back in late 19th century (1889 or there about), Engonona's life has been tale of hard work, little leisure and less monetary reward. But she has had plenty of contentment in life, living and in her family.

Her earliest recollections are of accompanying her mother and grandmother to a nearby 'Walawwa' to de-husk paddy. "The lady of the house would give me a plantain and two hoppers and ask me not to be naughty," she reminisces, looking back, a long way back, to a lifestyle that's almost alien to a generation growing up with fast food and hi-tech equipage.

Engonona receives the official invitation to the OPA AGM from Dr. Ranesh Wijesinghe while her three daughters look on. Pix: Thilak Perera

In a life of constant work, she remembers grinding coconut husks to make ropes, rolling the ropes between her now callused palms, crocheting lace and being always involved with some kind of work or the other. Schooling was a non-issue, though attempts to give her an education of some form failed after a fisticuffs of sort with the visiting teacher. "I was very naughty, and he beat me, so I hit him back," she cackles in reminiscence.

But she has no regrets. What she missed out on formal education, she learnt from a greater school called LIFE. And those lessons have given her the wherewithal to lead a contented life that has been replete with love and laughter and a certain sense of quietude, despite the ever present hardship. And also nurture a family of six progenies - two sons and four daughters - of her own.

Three of her daughters, the eldest already close to 80, live with her in a tiny brick house that has no water, electricity or plaster casting for the wall. The youngest daughter is the sole breadwinner and works as a house-help for a doctor in Colombo. And life is hard.

Not one to complain, Engonona, although nursing dreams of having at least one electric light bulb in her home before she dies, accepts the hardship as part of life, and prefers to dwell on the good tidings of past and present that have given her contentment and joy. "I have my health and I had a loving husband who never ever said a harsh word to me," she says with pride, recalling what was perhaps a grand love story, with all the elements of melodrama and histrionics.

Quite a beauty at her prime, the fair slim-built Engonona was courted by her dark and somewhat un-handsome cousin 'Charo Aiya', a handyman who did carpentry and odd jobs to make a living. Engo's father opposed the match, and Charo, being the heroic sort, threatened to commit suicide by jumping into the sea, if Engonona was not given to him. "He truly loved me," she say with firm conviction, recalling that she had to fake her age as 24 (she was then 22) to get married. She also remembers returning from the registrar's office on a horse drawn carriage and hearing people comment that "there was a black crow on a king coconut".

Charo Aiya died at the age of 61, leaving Engonona to face the future with their children, three of who have married and three of who have remained single.

Today, the lone survivor of a generation that has departed long since, Engonona, is a frail shadow of the beauty and the hard worker she once was. Her skin wrinkled beyond comprehension, her vision and hearing fading, unable to walk or stand on her own, she however remains in good health for a person her age. Full of pep and forgiving to a fault, she also remains a proud embodiment of life, demonstrating that surviving the obstacles of hardship, loss, hurt, pain and sorrow is a bigger achievement than doing something heroic or doing something for self gain. And it is for this reason that the OPA has invited her to be the 'honoured guest' at their Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held at the BMICH on September 18.

clean bill of health

The Centenarian Study Team of the Centenarian Friendship Society (CFS) which recently identified O.T. Engonona as its 25th centenarian, has given her a clean bill of health, saying that she doesn't have any major problems other then generalised body aches and pains and weakens which is common in the elderly. She doesn't have diabetes, high blood pressure or any other major illnesses.

The team headed by Prof. Colvin Gooneratne began their study programme in April 2000, as part of long term programme to gain due international recognition for people over the age of 100. The social objective of the study is to foster respect and honour for human life by recognising the centenarians as having achieved a unique position in life.

The team which last year dedicated a special orchid to the centenarians and named it 'Vanda 100 Centenaria' plans to visit the North and the East, including Killinochchi before completing their studies. Other members of the team include Prof. Herbert Aponso, emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, Peradeniya University, Dr. Dennis J. Aloysius, visiting lecturer PGIM and Family Physician; Dr. Ginthanjan Mendis, Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Viraj Peramuna, M.O. Base Hospital Puttalam, Dr, Ranesh Wijesinghe, MO Colombo South Teaching Hospital and Edward Arambewala, co-ordinator of the project.

O.T. Engonona, the guest of honour at the Annual General Meeting of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) will be creating history of sorts at the BMICH on September 18. For this will be the first time the Organisation, which is very specific about its membership, will be honouring a non-professional for her achievement in life.

Engonona was given an official invitation to the event by Dr. Ranesh Wijesinghe, MO Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila and member of the Centenarian Friendship Association. Housebound for a long time, her journey to Colombo will be as novel an experience, as being garlanded and honoured by the professionals, who will have Karu Jayasuriya, Minister of Power and Energy as the Chief Guest.

The OPA in recognising Engonona's achievement of living for 114 years will be honouring not just Engonona, but also human life, which has become a disposable commodity, in a world of murder, mayhem, and the pursuit of wealth at any cost.