Pedro Lazaro celebrates his 103rd birthday on Tuesday
GomantakTimes
22/2/2022 is a very special day in the Leitao home in Varca as centenarian Pedro Lazaro celebrates his 103rd birthday.
Surrounded by family, and friends, Lazro enjoyed Tuesday afternoon from the comfort of his chair.
'Lazarine Bhav', as he is popularly known in the coastal village, was born in 1919 and believes his longevity is mainly because of the love and gentle smile of his 6 children, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The centenarian has survived three waves of Covid-19 and is fully vaccinated. Up until the pandemic, he frequently went out for walks. Since social distancing began, he has been staying home.
According to his son, Paul, his father has spent only one day in hospital in 103 years, and even today, he doesn't like to take medicine.
Lazaro has lived an extraordinary life too, till the age of 95, Pedro, who has never driven a car or motorcycle in his life, used to sneak out of the house to catch a bus to Margao. During his heydays, Pedro loved playing football, tennis and billiards. His favourite hobby is gardening which he continued till he was 99.
Senor Pedro Lazaro with his wife, Alice.
Gomantak Times
Pedro remembers his past in East Africa, when things weren't easy and having escaped the war in Uganda during the period of the 70s when President Idi Amin has ordered the expulsion of the Asian minority from Uganda.
"In 1979, we came to Goa from Uganda with what we had," his wife, Alice, 88, told Gomantak Times.
Following years, the couple slowly built their life in Goa. "Raising and educating six children was a difficult task. But by the grace of God, we accomplished that too. It is very satisfying to see our full house today. This satisfaction is the key to our longevity," says Alice.
