Being a senior citizen, and being anointed one officially by virtue of having retired at a certain chronological age, is both a blessing and a bane. It is a blessing because one is relatively free from the confines of official rules and regulations,though in India the plethora of laws ensures that one still has to work within the system.Nonetheless, the sense of relief is tempered by the realization that we are all social animals,and no one is an island,however much we would like to carefully cultivate the youthful ideal of the lone hero single handed defying the system.
At the same time,it is also a bane because one is increasingly and repeatedly, reminded of one's age by all and sundry,with the appellations Uncle Ji and Aunty Ji being freely thrown around. One is tempted to ask, why counting of the years has suddenly become so important for the rest of the world, ranging from the taxi-driver to the vegetable seller. Then one takes what comfort one can get,from the fact that at least one is not being relegated to being called Pita Ji/Baba Ji and Mata Ji. The Baba Ji appellation does not sit comfortably.
MPSingh
At the same time,it is also a bane because one is increasingly and repeatedly, reminded of one's age by all and sundry,with the appellations Uncle Ji and Aunty Ji being freely thrown around. One is tempted to ask, why counting of the years has suddenly become so important for the rest of the world, ranging from the taxi-driver to the vegetable seller. Then one takes what comfort one can get,from the fact that at least one is not being relegated to being called Pita Ji/Baba Ji and Mata Ji. The Baba Ji appellation does not sit comfortably.
MPSingh
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