Page 3 - Seniors Today Dec 2019

From The Publisher

The Pawar of Age

How old is old? In India, 60 used to be considered some changes. The problem, as I see it, is that our
old. One retired at 58. Indians worry about society no longer values older people. They are
ageing; very few think they will be fit and healthy seen to serve no useful purpose in society and
in their old age. Since we have no social security their wisdom is taken to be outdated and values
money is a big worry. Whether our children will redundant. I think this is rubbish. We need to
look after us in our old age is always a nagging step up, know our wisdom and claim the role of
fear. Redundancy and loneliness are some other wise elders.
issues. TV, film and advertising seem to present Now, in my late 60s, I still think life is great; I
old age in a poor light as to make life seem look forward to the remaining time I have, be
depressing with limited opportunities. However, it a day, a year or whatever. At the end of it all
in the last 15 years there have been some major I believe I have had a wonderful life and will
changes, where Indians over 65 are still in the continue to have a wonderful life because life is
active workforce and one in five people over 70 is what you make of it. Look at Sharad Pawar and
still working. decide, “How old is old?”
Now comes a 79-year-old man who completely
changes the definition of old age. Sharad Pawar
proved that 79 is just a number and that he’s no
lion in winter. He sprang back with ferocious Best wishes,
energy and delivered a huge knock-out punch
to his detractors and deserters, even unseating
those with the most powerful lineage. He has
fought cancer, he has fought political adversities
at every level. For the senior generation I think he
is a role model as far as will power, tenacity and Vickram Sethi
determination are concerned. Sharad Pawar is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
the Mike Tyson of India, and in true sense Pawar
is Power. It’s time we rethink our perception of
ageing.
When we start seeing these later years as having
potential and opportunity to continue to grow,
develop and contribute to others, we might see
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