REVISE THE STORY OF NEEDY OLDER PEOPLE

 

Retirement from the job if one is employed has been the most defining moment in the life of an individual. In the US, it is escape from work, from cold and from obligation. It takes you to a life of Golf and time with grandchildren.

In India, it could be the demotion to the back bedroom of the eldest son's home or elsewhere. No one values you anymore.

A recent study unveils that by 2047 there will be more people in the world over 60, with more money and education than any other time in history than children under 15. It further states that the longevity economy is already enormous enough to be the third largest after US and China.

With people over 60 becoming increasingly fitter, wealthier and full of zest for life, the  indication is that the story of needy older people needs to be revised. However, for much of human history, retirement had not been in existence. Old age was the final and harder chapter of working life. 

The book, 'The 100-Year Life', by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott tells us that the longer your life, the more your identity reflects what you craft, rather than a reactive response to where you began.

We can see a variety of careers waiting for us when we cross the threshhold of 60.  While savings  provide the baseline of security as you age, new skills and sustained relationships are set to take you to a fruitful life ahead in your journey.

Considering that a 100 year old human is still a human, research shows that the single strongest predictor of happiness in life ater retirement is the quality of your close relationships. 

..............................

Based on the editorial in Times of India of  21052026

WIFE NOT A DEEMED MAID

 

Bombay High Court, this month (May 8) dismissed a husband's plea for divorcing his wife on grounds of cruelty.

The Honouable Court made it explicit that a wife's refusal to perform daily chores did not qualify as mental cruelty.

The judgement reads:

"Mere failure of wife to do chores such as cooking, cleaning does not automatically amount to cruelty  as marriage is a partnership of equals, and not a service contract and the wives are not 'deemed maids.'

This is a welcome judgement in the Indian context. Here, marriages occur in general by parental choices. Male chauvinism relegates the woman to cooking and household chores in addition to managing her own job if she is employed. The society expects the man to dissociate himself from such mundane tasks at home. 

Marriages dissolve when the woman questions this equation. 

REJEESH AND ELVIN

                                                   REJEESH AND ELVIN 

                                                          NATURAL

SI SE PUEDE

 When I came across SI SE PUEDE in Times of India of 20 May 2026 in the article on Billie Jean King,  curiosity made look up  the Web. 

Here is what I learned.

SI SE PUEDE                 

"Sí se puede" is a famous Spanish phrase that translates to "Yes, it can be done" or "Yes, you can." 

It is an empowering, motivational motto frequently used to rally people together and overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

Context & HistoryCivil Rights:

The phrase was coined in the 1970s by labor leader Dolores Huerta during the United Farm Workers (UFW) strikes and hunger strikes led by Cesar Chavez.

Politics: 

It later gained global prominence as the Spanish equivalent of the "Yes, we can" political slogan.

Literal Meaning: 

Literally, "sí" (yes), "se" (it/one), and "puede" (can) represent a passive, collective capability—meaning "it is possible".

Usage

Examples
Encouragement:

 ¡Tú tienes que estudiar mucho, pero sí se puede! (You have to study a lot, but yes, you can do it!

Collective Motivation: 

Vamos a terminar este proyecto a tiempo. ¡Sí se puede!

We are going to finish this project on time. Yes, we can do it!

For a deeper look into its historical roots, you can check out the Sí se puede - 
Wikipedia

BILLIE JEAN KING EARNS A COLLEGE DEGREE

 BILLIE JEAN KING EARNS A COLLEGE DEGREE

Billie Jean King raised her right hand in triumph.

Not for victory on the tennis court.

This time she was celebrating earning a college degree 65 years after she first took classes.

The 82 year old sports and equality icon received her bachelor's of art  in history from the California State University, Los Angeles on 18th May 2026.

She said,"It's never too late.  Whatever age you are, whatever your abilities are, go for it if you want it."

Her whole life she had committed herself to working toward equality and inclusion for all.

She held the view," We can never understand inclusion unless we've been excluded."

She punctuated her statement with, "Si se peude!" 

It meant, "Yes, you can!"

When queried, would she go for a master's degree now, the reply was highly motivating.

"I just think it's wonderful to always keep learning."

Times of India

20 May 2026

TO DO WELL FORGET WHERE YOU LOST OUT

 

John Mathew had been a man of principles. 

He was teaching in a private school, Golden Valley High School, at Nellimoodu.  When the strength of the students grew to three thousand, he had woked tirelessly to set up a branch of the school under the same mangement at Kanjiramkulam. He had hoped he would be posted as the Head Master at the new school as he had been the senior most teacher at the Golden Valley High School. 

John was frustrated when the mangement posted another teacher quite junior to him as the Head Master at the new School.

Later, John was offered the Post of the Principal of  a thriving school near Uduppi in Karnataka. The management knew the capabilities of John well. 

We were good friends. John had forwarded the photos and a description  of the school, he had joined to me.

I replied:

Good place you are helming

John responded:

Thank you so much for your love, guidance, correction, and appreciation.

I wrote back:

To do well, forget where you lost out. Those were yesterdays. 

It is today that matters.

When your todays are good, your tomorrows cannot fall behind.

Take care of your responsibilities.

Fail to win

John replied:

Thank you so much for your sincere words. I know these are  real words, because you know me. I know, I have to be very careful at  the administrative front. 

I commented:

You ought to.
You can

TWO YEAR OLD AND EIGHT MONTHS OLD AT THE KEYBOARD

 

                  TWO YEAR OLD AND EIGHT MONTHS OLD AT THE KEYBOARD