Age is just a number! The Khans in the Hindi film industry rule the
roost, don’t they? A 40-something tennis legend like Leander Paes still
aspires to win a medal for India in the Olympics. And looking beyond
the borders Pakistani Test skipper Misbah-ul-Huq still has the perseverance to become the oldest Test centurion in 82 years when he reaches the three-figure mark at Lord’s.
Let’s narrow it down to the 22-yards on the sub-continent! When Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and even Sachin Tendulkar are in their mid-thirties, speculations start building up. Sports journalists are given a space to write their obituaries despite these stalwarts delivering for their country.
Contrast this to Pakistan when Imran Khan in 1992 leads his side to a World Cup victory. Wasim Akram in his late thirties opens the bowling for his nation in the 2003 World Cup. And the most glaring example of it all, Misbah is still trusted to lead his country in the extended version of the game.
Forget celebrities like Misbah and Leander! The moment you approach middle-age, you encounter kids calling you “Uncle.” Even when you are in the midst of a chat in your locality, a youngster butts in and makes a sarcastic comment on the fact that you are ageing. One such guy who thrives on the pseudo notion of Communism asserts his presence riding on the shoulders of people who ‘use’ him to alleviate their boredom after office at a posh locality in The City of Joy.
Welcome to 2016! Respect is a word that’s lost its way into oblivion. Najma Heptulla is advised to put in her papers as a minister in the Indian cabinet because she is old. LK Advani is no longer a force to reckon with in Indian politics. Yes, Sheila Dixit (78) is the Congress party's Chief Ministerial face in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. But that's an exception since Congress has no other choice.
On the contrary a Sartaz Aziz in Pakistan is given ample freedom to guide Pakistan’s Prime Minister on foreign affairs. His archaic views and tendency to grab headlines ignored, open a newspaper and the ‘old’ man has his point of view.
When my father says, “It’s a different era,” I retaliate. But given my own experiences, I have no other choice than endorsing my father’s view. When my cricket coach Whatsapps me, I take my own time to reply. The reason is simple: There could be messages that hold more relevance in my life. Even I have the same notion.
Thanking Misbah for braving all odds to come to the rescue of your team against England, once again one develops this realisation that old is gold.
What veterans like me expect is respect as per their age. A sarcastic attitude towards our grey hair can be a source of laughter briefly, but guys you too will reach the same place after a certain point of time.
Let’s narrow it down to the 22-yards on the sub-continent! When Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and even Sachin Tendulkar are in their mid-thirties, speculations start building up. Sports journalists are given a space to write their obituaries despite these stalwarts delivering for their country.
Contrast this to Pakistan when Imran Khan in 1992 leads his side to a World Cup victory. Wasim Akram in his late thirties opens the bowling for his nation in the 2003 World Cup. And the most glaring example of it all, Misbah is still trusted to lead his country in the extended version of the game.
Forget celebrities like Misbah and Leander! The moment you approach middle-age, you encounter kids calling you “Uncle.” Even when you are in the midst of a chat in your locality, a youngster butts in and makes a sarcastic comment on the fact that you are ageing. One such guy who thrives on the pseudo notion of Communism asserts his presence riding on the shoulders of people who ‘use’ him to alleviate their boredom after office at a posh locality in The City of Joy.
Welcome to 2016! Respect is a word that’s lost its way into oblivion. Najma Heptulla is advised to put in her papers as a minister in the Indian cabinet because she is old. LK Advani is no longer a force to reckon with in Indian politics. Yes, Sheila Dixit (78) is the Congress party's Chief Ministerial face in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. But that's an exception since Congress has no other choice.
On the contrary a Sartaz Aziz in Pakistan is given ample freedom to guide Pakistan’s Prime Minister on foreign affairs. His archaic views and tendency to grab headlines ignored, open a newspaper and the ‘old’ man has his point of view.
When my father says, “It’s a different era,” I retaliate. But given my own experiences, I have no other choice than endorsing my father’s view. When my cricket coach Whatsapps me, I take my own time to reply. The reason is simple: There could be messages that hold more relevance in my life. Even I have the same notion.
Thanking Misbah for braving all odds to come to the rescue of your team against England, once again one develops this realisation that old is gold.
What veterans like me expect is respect as per their age. A sarcastic attitude towards our grey hair can be a source of laughter briefly, but guys you too will reach the same place after a certain point of time.
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