Tucked inside Meenatai Thackeray Udyan in sector 17 Vashi, a small 400 sq ft building hums with activity. The Jyeshta Nagarik Virangula Kendra — a centre for senior citizens to converge and catch up — has become the second home for many experiencing the evening of their lives.

“If I skip a day, it feels like something is missing,” Ramesh Vora, a regular at the centre, says. “It changed my daily routine.”

The centre, opened in 2022, is simple yet welcoming. Large glass windows let in soft light and a graceful chandelier greets visitors at the entrance. Inside, the air-conditioned room offers comfort — a space to rest, to laugh, and to reconnect.

Every day, the centre fills with familiar faces. There’s carrom to be played, books to be read, and conversations that flow easily. Thursdays are special — karaoke night — when laughter and music echoes across the garden, as members take a trip down nostalgia lane with classic songs and memories woven around it.

A television draws crowds during cricket matches, turning the room into a lively theatre of cheers and applause. And with free Wi-Fi, many stay connected with family or enjoy a casual browse through the news.

The centre, which can comfortably seat about 50, was the brainchild of Sampat Shewale, former NMMC standing committee chairman, after senior citizens of the area evinced the desire for a meeting place of their own.

“It took time,” he said, “but when I see them laughing and enjoying themselves here, every effort feels worth it.”

Friendships have deepened within the walls of the senior citizen centre. Potlucks happen often, and birthdays are occasions for celebration. Once a month, a free health check-up ensures members are cared for beyond just their social needs.

For Madhukar Jadhav, 62, moving to Sanpada didn't mean losing his old friends. “Earlier, we would gather under the peepal tree, sitting on the ground and chatting for hours. Now, we have a proper space where we can play carrom, debate, and share endless cups of tea," he said with a smile.

Omprakash Goyal, 80, a relative newcomer to sector 17, feels just as much at home. “Two hours here are the best part of my day. There’s always laughter, always a story,” he shared.

On important national days like Independence Day and Republic Day, members come together for special programmes — a reminder that even in their later years, there is pride, purpose, and community to be celebrated, says Anita Gupta, 75.

For many, the Jyeshta Nagarik Virangula Kendra is more than a place to pass the time. It’s a place where friendships blossom, memories are made, and no one feels alone.