The same old story
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In the film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Benjamin played by Brad Pitt says, “It isn’t so bad to be old”. In India, till quite recently, old age was seen as a time for well-earned repose. The old were seen to be wise and worthy of respect. Today, old are seen to be dispensible. Notice, how politicians who are above the age of 50 are pilloried for being fuddy duddys who have outstayed their welcome. Congress party general secretary Rahul Gandhi wants young people to stand for elections and we are told often enough that India has one of the youngest population in the world. Why is youth being considered to be so important and old so undesired? As a nation, should we not ask for the best and brightest people to govern us or even guide us? Why should age define who or what we can become? Once upon a time, the differences between the two genders were upheld for reasons for strict division of roles: women were meant to cook and clean, and men were expected to bring home the bread. Similarly, we are once again drawing rigid boundaries where one age group is being demonised as being useless after a certain age and another age group are being seen as a pancea for all the problems that afflict this country. The divide serves nobody well and if this nation has to do well, then we need to harness the best of every age group without discrimination. By encouraging a thought process where the old are seen as no longer being important, we will create a huge burden on society and lose out on valuable skills that every generation gathers on their way to old age. Like Benjamin in the film, we need to realise that being old isn’t all that bad.
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(6 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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March 26th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Old is not undesired. Our PM is old, we do not mind because we respect his learning and wisdom. There is also a certain “angry old man” of rut yatra fame, but he is so doddering now, Mayawati is showing him how feeble he is
March 25th, 2009 at 1:56 am
In Indian Politics, Old do not want to leave the chair for young. They want to make 1950s decision and this era.
Think of our Ex-President Shankar Dayal Sharma, that bloody man was not able to walk 2 steps, but was not
to leave the chair for young and fit person. Even shamelessly even went ahead for 2nd term.
In Indian Politics 80% are bloody old chaps, with their 1 leg in kabar. And remaining 18% are bloody criminals.
And 2% are with shades of gray.
This is destiny of india.
Out of 100 Indians 99 are Corrupts, STILL INDIA IS GREAT.
March 4th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
If the old were ‘wise and worthy of respect’, they must be wise enough and command respect. They have seen the world for longer period and reared up the subesqunet generations to know it all — how to handle an inexperience youger generation.
And, as far as Indian old people are concerned, I don’t agree with the notion that they are an ignored lot.
The Indian political scene is dominated by the old, from an erudite PM to a rustic railway minister. As far as I can see, ordinary old people are enjoying the resurgent economy in the comforts of their homes, not necessarily in metros. Yes, old among very poor people, especially farmers, are being ignored, which is a burning topic. And, here, perhaps the youth have a role to paly. What do you say?
March 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Insecure of future in their old age, the parents wouldn’t be that much forthcoming in investing in their children’s growth. Parents would rather think of that frightful truth of the life–old age. A catch 22 situation it would be for everybody. Educating children even at the cost of their own financial security will be a huge risk which few would like to take. And it would be perhaps then that side-effects of western ways of life would be on a full blown display even here!
March 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Ageism or age discrimination is a problem in western societies that they are addressing. Here we have sometimes undue respect for old people. In politics, there are some old people who want young generations also to have the same hatreds they had in their times which were very bad. This infecting of younger people with old divisions and hatreds should be unacceptable. It makes it very hard to respect old people who need therapy to overcome their turmoil of experiences that have made them like this.
March 4th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
A well known fact which says OLD IS GOLD,has to be replaced.majority of old members seems to be thinking in there own way.which requires everyones thought and idea
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March 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
old is not useful - that thought starts from home. in this age of nuclear families, the kids grow up with ayas and we think everything is just fine. how did we get some of our sanskars / culture - grandmother telling us about stories of ramayan / mahabharat, we taking her to the temple or the religious discourse. it was a give and take relationship - of difficult and happy times together; and more importantly passing on of experience and wisdom of and through the ages.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I think its more a problem of ones perception. Even when today we are having many young politicians, one can’t confidently say that they are productive n delivering. Moreover they are just another flag holders of their family lineage……… I haven’t heard of one who has created a name of his own. Either his/her parent is a big-wig politician or a business person or a beaurocrate.
Moreover even in business organisations a fine mix of both are found. Enterprises that have sustained for a long time, their board normally do consists of majority old n learned members.
N yes i am not talking of family owned enterprises.
So lets focus on efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, sustainability and happiness and above all national integrity………… irrespective of the source it is coming from.
Jai Hind!