Age is but a mere number & ageing can be 'reversed'

Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi *

Yes, there is life post 60—even after retirement from the hectivity of professional working life, which can at times be a torment, unless one discovers something worthwhile to do. It is only now, well into my 64th year, I truly realise the pain of the old-aged persons walking past the Reserve Bank of India and Yojana Bhavan building on Parliament Street, longingly looking at the buildings, and wanting to get inside them.

Obviously retired, with no office to go to, and shorn of any other activity in life, the plight of retired persons cannot be explained in words. One must be in their shoes to feel their pain, anguish stemming out of boredom and a sense of being "useless" to themselves, their families, and societies. They are, for sure, farther from the truth as it is a state of mind, and they can lift selves up by altering their thought process.

And, or, taking up some physical activity that lifts their mood up and connect selves with active persons. In fact, those on the verge of retirement, must, in their personal and overall interests think up their post-retired life and resolve to make selves busy with something, anything, that will sustain and or kindle freshness into their respective lives.

I for one, never ever had the chance of getting lazy as my profession demanded, or to be very truthful, me to be continuously working—say a few hours a day but compensated me generously—and this was a motivation that drove me to stay active, professionally.

I guess, I got somewhat terribly lucky, but I know now many are, and must strive to find something to do, may be get back to their hobbies, relive nostalgia may be, for a happier life rather than spend the days, and nights, brooding. In this context, I must mention my chance encounter with a relative youngster, at 35, in the lift of my residential tower in a Noida colony, who was carrying a Table Tennis racket.

This led to my restarting the game, at the age of 64 and to discover one was still able to get the ball on the table, and get the forehand and even backhand going—and the fact that I was able to hold my own against players half, or one third or even one sixth my age was enough to take me on a high. A daily two-hour workout on the TT table, spent in the company of an assortment of players of all sizes, shapes and ages not only got self-energised but also brought down sugar levels.

It was around this time that one also got re-connected with some IT players of yore, with whom one has had nodding acquaintance as a fellow player at a Government-owned coaching centre in Lutyens Delhi.

In fact, such are the inspiring stories of the people from the sporting circuit, from even as obscure a game as Table Tennis (In India, where cricket is the only sport and rest of the disciplines are the also rans) that they can motivate just about anyone, because they have all the universal elements that make a success out of anyone—tales of commitment, dedication, hard work, perseverance, emotions, ambitions, goals, and hunger to succeed.

One such personality was Vinay Chopra, who as the National junior TT champion along with his school mate Manmeet Singh as a player was an icon to follow for us who had just started playing the game, with whom one got reconnected the other day by chance. Reliving the nostalgic days, playing local tournaments (and getting knocked out in earlier rounds), in conversation with Chopra and the fact that one had only recently gotten back to the table seemed ordained, as I got the occasion to feature the sportsperson in an article.

Yes, he and his achievements (as the National veterans' doubles champion) proving that age is just a number, and both age and ageing can be beaten back with sheer determination, and more important, through a thought process that banishes the very thought of lament or laziness of any kind.

Then my, sudden but somewhat unexpected meeting with another TT player of repute in them days as the Delhi University team member, Kapil Kumar of the Hindu College, was someone to be appreciated — both for his stylish stroke play on the TT table, and for his filmstar like good looks and height, and build — removed all doubts from my mind about age as it is nothing but a mere number.

It is his love, or more than that, passion for sports and table tennis that he has once again begun to take time out of his heavy work schedule, for playing, practising and more important, grooming younger players. Now in Mumbai for close to three decades, this Dilliwalah has made the city of dreams as his home and has adopted some younger players of Maharashtra and mentors them.

Few big names in the junior circuit in the State owe their game and competitive skills to Kapil. Incidentally even the mentoring thing happened by accident—as when he sought to start playing TT again and when at a centre, the coach was missing. When others saw his game, they began to ask him for tips and the coaching stint began.

Now, convinced of his ability to — win himself even at this stage in life and mould younger players as winners, Kapil intends to start a Table Tennis academy in Mumbai — if only the costliness of space does not come in the way. But if Kapil says he will do it, he will.

Kapil spoke to me on the express condition that I will not disclose his age, as in the industry he works it might spell his professional death. But am sure you will all realise that when he hangs his boots in his professional life, Kapil will also be having a very active, healthy, and interesting post-retirement life as he too proves day in and day out that age is but a mere number.

So, for the readers who are in my age group, drop your inhibitions if any and jump in and join any physical activity -- even as simple as brisk walking, or that sporting activity that occupied your mind as a kid and when growing up — and discover the joy of life all over again. Believe me you will be far happier than ever before.