Working hard on the sugar plantations, in rice fields and rearing cattle for several years all contributed to the long and healthy life enjoyed by Etwaroo Pabaroo, fondly called “Sanchari Mai.”

The Uitvlugt resident celebrated her 102nd birthday November last year and is quite spritely for her age. She has no medical complaints other than the fact that she is not able to walk due to a fractured hip she suffered from a fall about three years ago. Nevertheless, her eyesight, hearing and speech are commendable.
Sanchari Mai was born on the island of Leguan in the Essequibo River. She was married at the tender age of 13 and it was then that she moved to Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara. There, she worked at the sugar estate as a weeder and cane cutter and lived in a logie, ( a long, flat building that several families lived in). During her lifetime, she also worked in rice fields and reared cattle.
Her parents came to Guyana as Indentured Labourers to work on the sugar plantations, and to date Sanchari Mai still speaks Hindi. Her grandchildren, whom she resides with, said that she may have learned the language from her parents and others, as East Indians from that time maintained their language and culture from India.
In addition, they said that while she did not say much about her mother-in-law, she talked about her father-in-law who had also come from India. Her granddaughters recalled stories she had told them, including one which said that her father-in-law would not take water from her when he visited, and that she would have to keep her head covered whenever he was around. These are both traditional Indian customs.
At the time when this reporter visited her home, Sanchari Mai had just gotten a bath and was relaxing with her family. Her voice was very strong as she told her granddaughter “jhaldi nah” which means “hurry up” in Hindi.
One of her granddaughters fetched her  a slice of cake and a glass of water, which she consumed with no help. Her family related that she eats regular food and can do so on her own.
Sanchari Mai mothered three children, two sons and a daughter, and has outlived her husband, children and siblings. She also has 15 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren and 27 great great grandchildren.
The Guyana Chronicle had visited Sanchari Mai November last year when she celebrated her 102nd birthday with a small get-together with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
At that time, her granddaughter, Krishna noted that while she and her children all wear spectacles, Sanchari Mai has no problems with her sight. She even demonstrated by asking her the colour of her rag, to which she responded quite positively “blue.”
Her other granddaughter, Golyn, advised that while her memory is not very good, she recognises her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she lives with. Golyn also noted that Sanchari Mai never forgets her parents. When asked who her parents are, she stated confidently, “Mangru and Bhagmania.”