Yesterday I came across a old man who was at his best in pouring out his Post-retirement blues. He had qualms about his wife not bringing his morning cup of tea even after 10am, how she pesters him to help her in the kitchen for breakfast and then ask him to go to the market to get vegetables. lets assume this man Mr X, like Mr X there are many Mr Y and Z souls who have desperate stories to tell. I have seen these grey haired, frail souls passing their time sitting at the railway stations, No police or Ticket examiners ever confronts them. In the evening, they assemble in the parks or auditorium grounds to share their experiences.
This is a reality bite! A social malaise! A long journey overcoming many hurdles in life finally reaching the dead end! Mr Lad (name changed) is such a man who lives alone with his wife in a big flat in Mulund, I met him when I was a residing in Mulund. He two children are in gulf and US. He was compelled to sell the flat he was occupying for the last 40 years at his work place away from Mulund. The reason- His elder son had purchased a flat here for investment, he was not interested in giving it on leave or license. he longed his parents should enjoy their fag end of their life in the new abode. He, thus compelled them to bury their memories of 40 years and live in his luxurious new flat.
"Don't you feel nostalgic?" I asked him once , "Yes, Terribly". There was a sadness in his voice, "Why did u agree?" I wanted to ask him but I restrained, fearing it may offend him. But one winter day when the cold wind was almost freezing him, sitting on a garden bench, he opened his heart in sheer agony, alone in that big house with his ailing wife, he feels frightened, One day his wife fainted due to severe pain in the abdomen. Doctor's diagnosed it as chronic peptic ulcer. He had his son and his wife to come back to India and live with them, But they were helpless. They excused. For Mr Lad this excuse was not convincing, it was the greed for money they were living there, he secretly confessed. In fact he realized his son wanted somebody to look after their new house!
Perhaps this is a common trend one could notice anywhere. After the joint family system, 'finally we two' concept have crept in, especially in cities. The youth, acquiring high academic qualification by their brilliance are migrating abroad, leaving their aged parents behind. For these youngsters, it is a search for greener pasture, and sentiments have no role to play.
When opportunities, are knocking their doors it is unfair to detain them, More money means happiness. "Our life is almost ending, let them build their future" Mr Gidh had a very logical explanation to the issue. He is a retired Bank officer, and currently re employed in an equal grade in central govt. office at Fort. The assignment was like a wind fall, he said ecstatically. His two sons are also abroad and daughters is married and settled in Indore, Though he is better of financially, his health betrays quite often. He had a mild attack years back and he is diabetic too. His wife throughout the day is worried till he reaches home, after a long tedious journey from church gate to Borivli.
"Why don't you leave your job and sit at home? Are you still in the need of money?"No, for him it was not the money that mattered, At home it was difficult to spend time, Daily chores become a boring affair, By remaining active one could reduce the depression.
These instances open a Pandora's box. Who should be blamed for such crisis, the shattering family ties? Why we could not create more opportunities for us in our own country? And why are we not able to remunerate the youth according to their eligibility? These questions could initiate a serious debate, isn't it?
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