THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY !

THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY : A RETIRED PENSIONER'S VIEWPOINT ! A country whose President and Prime Minister , and majority of the cabinet ministers are between the age bracket of 60 to 70 and 70 plus , the 58 to 62 years allotted for retirement of govt / semi-govt officials is unjustified , if only age has been taken into consideration for that policy. When Heads of countries and people at the helm of affairs can be achievers and successfully sail through at the so - called Vanprasth age why cannot the others ? Talking of the most affluent country , the 46th President of The United States of America is almost an octogenarian. Even his predecessor was a boisterous septuagenarian ! But ofcourse their country has not determined any fixed retirement age for the general masses who like their State heads can continue to work as long as they wish to and till health permits them . The sexagenarians and septuagenarians in general are at their active best as they are by then relieved of their parental responsibilities and familial duties .That is the time when they can focus most on their profession and careers . With their maturity ,experience and expertise they can prove to be assets in their workplace and for their employers .Personally for them too this is the time when they start loving and enjoying their work afresh for their creativity and gusto are at the highest level . Retirement though expected and which they have reconciled to, puts an end to their high spirits. At a time when they are most enthused and energetic and when their potential can be tapped as they are at their flowering best , their dynamism comes to an abrupt halt. It is true that in an over populated and still - developing nation like ours the elders after that age need to step down gracefully and make place for the younger generation. After all our employment crisis does justify the retirement age ! Retirement for some brings immediate relief as after a tenure of 30 to 40 years of active service , the break comes as a welcome change .It also provides them the free time to pursue their passions and interests.The spirited and enthusiastic are able to fructify such aspirations that paucity of time did not allow them to till they were employed. For many who have nothing much to look forward to , the post retirement period is just a countdown to the inevitable end . However, for most , the cessation of a steady monthly income is a cause of concern and anxiety .Not all are fortunate to have got over their family commitments and are the sole earning members thereby being in dire need of their jobs. Some schemes should be implemented that can provide employment to those retired personnel who are eager and willing to work , thereby their services can be utilised . The pension scheme , no doubt affords a lifetime of financial security but since it is taxable , the relief is not very heartening. Pensioners are not entitled to any allowances , even the routine hike of dearness allowance is termed as dearness relief for them . But this word relief is misleading as the taxes imposed on pensioners hardly make it a proposition of relief. It is ironical that people who are being given ' relief ' are being levied with taxes of the same slab as the salaried are !! Where is the RELIEF then ? Considering the longevity of lives , the extended life spans due to advanced medical aid and general wellbeing , retirement should be extended till the time an individual can work or till one wishes to and till one's health permits .That will be in the national and personal interest ! The recent declaration coming from the PM 's office regarding the extension of retirement age is a positive , pragmatic and productive initiative , provided it is enforced and does not remain one of the many tall claims!