By Michel Outridge

ON Monday last, Babnie Major, called “Aunty Baby,” celebrated her 95th birthday, and she revels in this achievement.From her favourite spot — a couch by the window of her Little Diamond, East Bnak Demerara home — she showed a keen sense of local and international happenings when the Guyana Chronicle visited, displaying her bubbly and ever-pleasant personality.

She was recently celebrated by the Little Diamond Mandir as the oldest villager and she treasures the token she received from the pandit and devotees as an indication of the respect and admiration she has gained.

Deeply religious, Aunty Baby would sit by the window overlooking the mandir to listen to the service whenever she is unable to attend. She credits her long life to God and as a devout Hindu, she visits her altar every morning and prays constantly.

Aunty Baby has outlived her husband and her only son, but she has scores of relatives, including two great-great grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and four grand-children.

She originally lived at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, but left that village and moved to Little Diamond when she got married at age 16.

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She stopped vending vegetables about 30 years ago as it’s time to relax now, she says, content that she has lived a good and full life. Moreover, she boasts about her travels to eight countries as an additional boost to her self-esteem.

This kind-hearted woman enjoys good eyesight and has no health complications, although a fall four years ago has made walking a bit difficult.Aunty Baby is a vegetarian and is cared for by a relative who is the live-in caretaker, who prepares her meals.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that she is very thankful for the life she has lived thus far, even though she endured many hardships as a young woman. In celebration of her birthday, she has planned a puja at her home on Saturday.

Her favourite quote is: “Don’t covet what’s not yours and be contented.”

Despite her age, Aunty Baby still handles such routine matters as paying bills and has even supervised construction works at her home.