Yet, she remains spritely and mentally sharp, recalling the full names and characteristics of her close friends with ease.

She can even serenade them with wonderful tunes, as she did during a luncheon held at her residence recently to commemorate the third death anniversary of her brother, Dr Jagjit “Billoo” Singh Sambhi.

“I celebrate my birthday every day, just like I do for my most beloved late brother, whom I miss terribly,” she said during the event at her home on Jalan Assunta here.

Billoo, a former gynaecologist and ex-chairperson of the Malaysian Heart Foundation, succumbed to Covid-19 at the National Heart Institute in 2021 at age 90.

“I praise the Lord Almighty for my longevity, as I wake up daily with good health,” Jago continued. “Many of my aged friends are either bedridden or gone.

“I count my blessings to have led a complete life and be surrounded by so many wonderful relatives and friends.”

Notable guests included famed crooner DJ Dave aka Irwan Shah Abdullah, IJN chief executive officer Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim, and former Hulu Kelang state assemblyman Saari Sungib.

Even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has known Jago for a long time, sent her a bouquet with a personal message.

During the luncheon, Dave sang two nostalgic numbers – his popular song “Ingin Bersua” and Elton John’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” – in Jago’s honour.

“The fact that 100 of her closest friends are present today speaks volumes of the love and bond she shares with them,” Dave said.

“Words can’t describe her energy and enthusiasm. She wants to celebrate her life with us while we are alive, with fond memories of the past,” he added, calling her a “jaguh” (champion).

Jago, who graduated from Punjab University in 1954, previously served as Klang and Port Klang Wanita MIC chairperson and has long championed the welfare of Sikh women and the less fortunate.

Appropriately, she regaled her companions with anecdotes such as her inspiring chance encounter with Indian industrial magnate Ratan Tata decades ago.

“Ratan gave 70% of his earnings to charity. He related to me how, when passing a town in India, he had spotted legless children holed up in a welfare home. He donated 200 wheelchairs for them to become mobile.

“One of the beneficiaries asked to see Ratan close-up, so he could remember Ratan after death in heaven as someone who had touched the lives of the less fortunate.”

Jago concluded: “My advice to all is to be kind, humble and grateful for whatever we have.”