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MRK's avatar

Wonderfully written article by Ashvini sir and a stark reminder to many of us middle aged folks to enjoy life which is a one time opportunity!! Hats off to his bravados post the age of 60 especially learning flying...true determination!! Happy 80th to you sir and here's to many more!! A century beckons!!

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Tarun Kunzru's avatar

Thank you Ashvin... Truly uplifting! The song by Brian Adam's - "18 till I die", is the spirit we must all imbibe. Always look forward and doing / experiencing new things. Old people dwell on the past but the young talk about the future. Keeping fit is key.

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Krupa Murthy's avatar

Welcome to the Exhilarating 80's, Brigade.Hearty congratulations. I wish I could shake hands and say " Let us celebrate what we feared was old and frightening 🫣

Did we ever imagine we would reach here when we were in " Maharaja's " Let us sail the waters smoothly and enjoy what it has to offer!!!

Wonderfully written Ashwin! Keep it up!!

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Shahji Jacob's avatar

Remarkable thatAshwin achievement after becoming a Sr.Citizen. Great. But what would be the case if age actually caught up with him? IT also depends on having a partner who also thinks that age is a number

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M R Prasanna's avatar

I will ask Ashvin to reply.

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Ashvini Ranjan's avatar

Dear Shaji,

What if age catches up and what if your partner does not 'tango' with you etc etc. Look there is no end to ‘What ifs’ and you will not go beyond the starting line. My wife to begin with did resist. When I was determined, she relented. At 80, I just signed an MOU for a ten year research project and I am the lead partner. I will go on until age catches up. Who knows, it may not even catch up. Even if it did, I will, like Lakshmi Raman says, exit with my boots on ! 😊

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Shahji Jacob's avatar

Great. To think that you had the guts to sign up for a 10 year project at 80. Yes, I appreciate your effort to ensure that you have your boots on even when you do ultimately exit this wonderful world.

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Shahji Jacob's avatar

I agree about the fact that there is no end to" What if's" It

's not that I have been afraid to move.I have visited Sikkim, Meghalaya, Kashmir, Vietnam, Bhutan, Bangkok, and even planning on a New Zealand tour this Dec if all goes well. I am also blessed with a partner who had added Varnasi and Ayodhya , even while travelling with me to all the above places and even walked all the way to Tiger's nest in Bhutan even when nearly touching 70.

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Lakshmi Raman's avatar

I'm quite amazed by all that Ashwin has attempted after crossing 60. Wonderful to read about it and his adventure in senior years. Keep going Ashwin. Life cannot be lived just being frightened of anything and everything.

Even in the matter of age, gender plays a part. Women are reminded more about their age than men. I remember when i was 33 and in Chennai, talking to someone and being told, "Oh, now you've had children, what else is there left? All done" said in the sense of my life purpose being over. This happened more than once! Statements like these angered me. Like Ashwin, I think I did a lot more after 60 including travel, attempting new types of assignments, signing up for courses, learning to work online and so on. Although my body does remind me now and then of my age 74 (through aches, twinges of pain and a reluctance to get out of bed in the mornings), overall I'm having such a wonderful time. And age giving me the privilege of speaking my mind without any terrible consequences! I want to meet my end with my boots on.

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M R Prasanna's avatar

Superb account of your dalliance with age!!

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Mani Srinivasan's avatar

Remarkable, what Ashvani has done after 60.. inspiration to all..

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