Bangalore: At the time of Independence, life expectancy of the average Indian was less than 30 years. Today, thanks to better healthcare, people are living longer with the average life expectancy doubling. Those of us who are relatively healthy and have access to proper medicare can expect to live well into our 80s, if not 90s.

And that is the problem. We retire at 60 and face the yawning gap of a good two or three decades ahead before we move on to the Great Beyond. How we spend this period is up to us. It can be a learning experience if we choose to.

But many find life after 60 difficult and either suffer or inflict misery. Initial retirement euphoria over, their family takes them for granted. The most respected person hitherto is suddenly asked to do little things and subject to common digs such as "Anyway you are free," and the nastier "What is the big thing you do otherwise?"

Keeping busy

Keeping oneself busy is the trick, say the happiest of the senior citizens. "Cultivate reading habit and keep yourself engaged for your own sake (not for others)," says Kannada lexicographer G. Venktasubbaiah (94). Reading newspapers and books itself will show a way out for the people who are ageing. "You cannot cultivate the habit in the evening of your life. Do it when you are young," he advises.

Retired government servant and septuagenarian B.M.N. Murthy finds 24 hours a day are not enough for what he wants to do. He suggests that people should know what interests them most and cultivate it. Septuagenarian advocate G.S. Anasuya, who goes to her office even now, sometimes is tempted to say old age is a curse. But probe her further, and she holds forth on her interest in old film songs and how she keeps up to date reading All India Reports, besides giving advice to younger lawyers.

Not that old age is without its burdens, especially when the body does not keep up with the spirit. Mr. Venkatasubbaiah needs to relax after every two hours of work. "I might take a nap and get back to work." He works for four to five hours a day in addition to his reading. He has a deadline on hand: to finish his work on classical poet Kumaravyasa "when I turn 95 in August." Also, he is at ease with people far younger than him.

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