ETERNALLY YOUTHFUL

Dear Readers,

We publish a letter from one of our readers in this column meant exclusively for senior citizens. You too can express your views. –Ed.

In South India, people generally do not have the concept of learning ways and means to spend their old age productively and usefully. Septuagenarians and octogenarians use the garb of their old age and indulge in small time tittle-tattle, draw people into gossip, keep blaming others without reason, foment misunderstanding among family members and such other pastimes, wasting the beautiful days of their lives which an never be got back. Due to this not only are they not peaceful, they do not allow others to go on with their lives in peace.

Senior citizens can help their families in whatever manner they can.  In families where there are children, they can help children get ready to school or college by doing odd jobs. They can do their own work without expecting others to cater to their needs. They can spend time usefully by reading papers and magazines. They can help the family by folding dry clothes, help lather clothes or brush them which can be performed while sitting or learn some easy handiwork and enjoy creating beautiful things. (If these are given as gifts family members will also be happy.) They can attract their grandchildren and children by making vadams, appalams, pickles, vathals etc.  Since they are also engaged productively they will be healthy and happy. By resorting to useful and productive means of living, they can thus find a way to live youthfully even during old age, which will keep the joint families bound together by love and happiness. We can find senior citizens in the North as well as in foreign countries who are always active and busy.  If our senior citizens so desire, we can reduce the number of the burgeoning old age homes, even do away with them. It is left to the hands of our senior citizens.

PS: These views do not apply to senior citizens who are ailing and unwell. If healthy senior citizens understand our views, that would be fine.

With love,

K.K.Bhuvaneswari,
Plot No. 1869 (1st Floor),
I Block, 26th Street,
Anna Nagar West,
Chennai 600 040.