The article, “Life can begin at 60, it is all in your hands!” (Aug. 2) was highly useful to elders. I can add five mantras that can benefit senior citizens:
11. Never lend money to others: Donate money for good causes, if you can but never lend. Most of the people are used to government loans that are anyway waived periodically.
12. Keep fit: Follow a regular exercise regimen that suits your age.
13. Give up your prejudices and hatred, if any: Be pleasant and helpful.
14. Lead a detached life: Obsession with personal things is a disease which aggravates with age.
15. Avoid expectations: Take life as it comes.
V. Balasubramanian,
Coimbatore
There is a song in Tamil which says, “A child can never be a burden to its mother.” By the same token, parents can never be a burden to children. But there is no denying that taking care of old, ill and infirm parents does put enormous physical and mental strain on children, and caregivers could definitely do well with some support from outside. Just as employers give maternity and paternity leave to take care of infants, they can think of giving some allowance by way of special leave to take care of old people.
Gulnar Khan,
Chennai
The basic ten precious principles of life make us understand what “happy life" is. It begins from our understanding. My grandfather is 78. He is still able to play shuttle cock, do cycling and conduct tuition classes and he fends for himself. He tells me, “I am still young.” It is psychological. We become what we think.
S. Arul Gnanapragasam,
Thumba
The present generation is sandwiched between the burgeoning needs of a society strangulated by inflation, and aged parents who look up to them for love, care and company. It has been compelled by circumstances to bring in a double income to balance household needs and basic necessities. In this situation, the aged at home tend to feel deserted, neglected and is forced to castigate their children as being selfish and self-centred individuals. One answer to this problem can be the launching of day care centres for the aged, where they can mingle with people of their own age, enjoy some indoor games, watch television with like-minded people and keep themselves mentally and physically active yet return to their homes in the evening. This would help in mitigating their problems to a certain extent.
Ameeta Nair,
Kochi
The English novelist Anthony Powell once said, “growing old is like being increasingly penalised for a crime you haven't committed.” We will not deny that old age as we know it presents frightening challenges to individuals and societies. There is nothing you can do to prevent the aging process. But old age can be an interesting and emotionally pleasing stage of life if social and structural obstructions are lifted and we create a culture of old age.
Ch. Durgaprasad
Srikakulam
Senior citizens don't have to tie everything up before they leave this world. The secret of eternal youth is to be a student throughout one's life. I recommend that you try to do something you really like and essentially never-ending so that when you die (which is inevitable) the unfinished nature of your challenge will be a mark that you have been here.
P. Muthukrishnan,
Chennai
