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It’s India’s 61st Republic Day today! I don’t know why most writers and columnists compare the age of a republic to those of their public? Citizens turning 60 begin their journey of being ‘senior citizens’. Of entering that phase of their lives, when employability is indeed a challenge. Sources of earnings begin to dry up and one begins to look for activities to keep themselves busy and achieve fulfilment in their lives. While some may sulk in the guise of relaxing and taking life easy, some do turn enthusiastically to take up their hobbies, causes or social activities with renewed fervour.
But is comparing the age of a country with the age of their citizens really proper? On one hand we have us mortals living with the prospect of battling old age medical and social challenges, and on the other hand, we have that immortal spirit of a nation that could live for hundreds, thousands of years! Isn’t a 60-year old republic, more like an infant finding its feet to walk all over the globe? Isn’t that what India is just beginning to do – ambling like a toddler all over the globe, flaunting its new-found speaking abilities and finding many amused and willing listeners all around?
However different it may be, doesn’t stop Shobha De from writing this piece titled "India reaches retirement age", published in the Bombay Times page 3, which but for the said confusion, makes good reading. Or for that matter the “Spirited at 60” on CNN-IBN by Nilanjana Bose and her team, featuring some senior citizens, defying old age challenges and living life with renewed fervour. I so thoroughly enjoyed watching it!
We all come across such spirited senior citizens showing youngsters how life could be so much different, if only one chose the path of living one’s childhood or younger days and doing all those things that one always wanted to! Remember Sulochana Haldankar kaki who is sculpting and painting at 75 for her show booked at Jehangir Art Gallery?!
There are a couple of other stories of similar such people who have touched my life. I just called on one of them last evening and chatted up for a couple of hours. Someone who is running marathons just to inspire young walkers in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park to begin running for a healthier life – and breaking records, winning medals - only as a result of his passionate indulgence in life after retirement!
I plan to feature this phenomenonal senior citizen in a post coming to you at The ArticKles Blog soon. Watch this space for more such posts! Isn’t that something more like the tickler getting tickled?
Happy Republic Day to all Indians!
5 comments:
Reaching a landmark, be it in history,or in personal life or in any sphere of activity, by itself lends some aura to the individual or entity achieving the same. Somehow or the other, attaining 60 years age has become a benchmark for everyone as an achievement to claim oneself as a Senior Citizen. One retires from active service but if one determines himself he can still maintain his youthful self. This is the time when one does some soul searching and introspection to assess his balance sheet of life. One reminisces his achievements vis a vis his goals and tries to reconcile his position. He will prepare a plan for his future based on the past and try to iron out any deficiencies faced and set the ball in motion to achieve them. In a similar strain, India has just completed its 60 years of Republic. The architects of our nation should now do some introspection and assiduously plan for the future. Let us keep in mind the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda in these words -
" Let us all work hard, my brethern; this is no time for sleep. On our work depends the coming of the India of the future. She is there ready waiting. She is only sleeping. Arise and Awake, and see her seated here, on her eternal throne, rejuvenated, more glorious than she ever was - this motherland of ours".
nandu
Well said, Nandu maam! It is certainly a juncture in ones' life and naturally, one takes time to reflect and plan for the future! But then maybe the country is just 60 years young toddler, considering that it has many centuries to flourish and nurture its citizens, i thought? Swami Vivekanand's words surely will hold good for a long time to come. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here on my blog! Do read my past posts too!
Would you like to read my post INDEPENDENCE--REPUBLIC.
indiaoftomorrow.blogspot.com
Very definetely, we cannot compare the life of an individual to that a nation. We have had a most wonderful Ancient histroy and it beckons us.
I am reminded of a book I had boorowed from the British Council Library on 'Square Pegs' It had an article on the begining of democratic rule in Britain. I remember not the name of the PM. A magazine editor was very much against the PM on the way the institution of Govt was conducted. He wrote various articles in his mag. The infuriated PM, passed laws which would be targeted specifically at the mag, without in any way mentioning it by name. The editor was put into great difficulties, but somehow managed to stay afloat.
It reminded of the way things were during Emergency days. Britain overcame it. So are we.
HUM HONGE KAMYAB. JAI HIND
Ashok
60,in a nation's life is nothing at all. We are still toddlers. But you can't blame 60 year olds to mix things up! May be I am speaking too soon!
Looking forward to the promised stories.
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