Apropos Shyamal Majumdar's column "Post-retirement blues" (Human Factor, November 8), I have learned that there are three ways to lead a retired life gracefully. While age takes its toll in physical terms, there is ample evidence that cognitive ability and creativity do not dim with age. Recall Bertrand Russell, Thomas Edison and Mahatma Gandhi. So, post retirement, one should find ways of keeping mental agility active by reading books, writing letters to the editor, interacting with knowledgeable people, solving crosswords and so on.
Secondly, one should remain socially useful. Sitting idle creates a feeling of helplessness and an inferiority complex that accelerates aging. Helping family members in domestic matters or joining organisations that render social service could be helpful as well.
Lastly, one should remain contemporary in thinking, if not in living.
If possible, one could join a profession that provides all these three advantages - teaching and journalism, for example. Irrespective of the post-retirement career, this would make one feel energetic and cheerful despite the pains of physical deterioration.
Y G Chouksey Pune
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