Dharmie Deo, a Moruga native who now resides in Penal, has reached the impressive age of 110. Born on April 27, 1914, she now holds the esteemed title of supercentenarian, designated to those 110 years old and older. Her father, according to relatives, was an Indentured Labourer who came to Trinidad from India on the Fatel Razack thus laying the foundation for her lineage.
Deo is the mother of seven. However, six of her children have passed. Her husband also passed sixty-nine (69) years ago. She is also the grandmother of approximately forty (40), great-grandmother of twenty-three (23) and great-great-grandmother of approximately twenty (20) great-great-grandchildren.
The quite petite supercentenarian has no secret to longevity simply maintaining a routine of eating twice per day. Her diet consists of modest portions of chicken, crix, and a quarter of roti. In her youth, she delighted in “spreading the pal” and singing at weddings and attending cultural celebrations such as the Divali Nagar and festivities for Indian Arrival Day. However, due to age-related issues, she now participates less frequently in these events.
To mark the occasion, her family hosted a celebration at her Penal home. Joining the celebration was Ms Crystal Felix, Inspector II of the Division of Ageing, who presented Ms. Deo with her Certificate of Honour and Achievement. Ms Deo also received a food hamper courtesy of the Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Senator the Honourable Donna Cox, and a birthday cake from the Kiss Baking Company.