Senior citizens’ associations, need of the hour
   Date :14-Jan-2020

Senior citizens associati
 
 
 
By Prakash Kulkarni :
 
‘Ushakkal’, the name of our association’s souvenir, is very appropriate. Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you do not mind, it does not matter. Retired life is not a tired lifee, but it requires to be retreated and here lies the important of senior citizens’ associations. Everyone salutes the rising Sun and turns back on the setting one. Birth, growth, decay, and death are the laws of the Nature.
 
We cannot defy them, but we can sustain the agonies with ease with the help of various measures, and senior citizens’ forum is one of them. In job/profession, one has faced many onslaughts and in this phase of life, we require peace and tranquility. A famous poet has said, “What is this life if full of care, there is no time to stand and stare!” To watch the birds, trees, blue sky above, still waters below in the lake, sunrise, sunset, with thoughtless mind, appreciating the beauty of Nature gives us pleasure! Birds of same feather flock together, it is said. Similarly, persons of same age-group, nature and wavelength come together to form an association.
 
Senior citizens’ association offers a forum or platform to acquire the latest information of various fields, exchange our views, get relaxed by recreational activities, explore the ‘latent talent’ (so far remained hidden) by adopting innovative methods etc. It is truly said -- Rest and recreation replaces the rust received from routine, rigid rules and regulations. It is our duty to expand the base of our association by increasing membership. Functioning of the association should be in a democratic way without giving room for groupism, favouritism. All senior citizens’ associations should come together to raise thheir issues, problems before the authorities concerned for redressal.
 
At this age, many physical ailments engulf us. To keep them at bay, various measures should be adopted. Music also is a therapy that keeps away malady. A person becomes ill because his mind is never still! If you can bring peace in the cells, you are cured. Nevertheless, we should try to maintain balance of mind, equilibrium, composure. That is our prayer to the Almighty! (The author is former Regional Manager, Central Bank of India, Nagpur.)