Age Defying Role Model!

Struggles and Achievements

Being born in a large family with five siblings, it was difficult for my father to educate all of us. I being good student, my father was very keen that I complete at least my graduation, something that my father was not able to achieve. My father was very happy that I was not only able to complete my graduation but also my post graduation. But the journey was not easy as my father was the only earning member in a family of 10 members. My eldest brother gave up his education to take a job to support our family. The other siblings didn’t study beyond 12th standard. I was encouraged by my father and elder brother to continue my studies. Since our family was big, there were times when I did not get the quiet environment required to study in the house. I would often stay up in the night and sit under my father’s bed with a candle to study and that hard work paid off.

It was difficult for my father to pay my fees, buy books for me but he managed it somehow so that I could complete my studies. I had the option of going for Medicine, Architecture and Engineering but since it meant spending a lot of money I chose to do B.Sc. and M.Sc. I completed my graduation in Organic Chemistry and went on to complete my post-graduation. Immediately I took up a job in a British company called Hickson & Dadajee and in about an year and a half was selected for Colour-Chem, a multi-national company which had a German collaboration.

Then there was no looking back! I started from being an operator and then slowly learnt all the processes then handled plants. In two years time I was appointed as the Laboratory Head after which I was given the charge of starting Intermediate Plant for which I was sent to Bayer and Hoescht in 1969. I was sent to Germany for training for 4 months for learning the process of Intermediate and on my return we successfully manufactured Intermediates. In 1974 I was promoted as Production Manager for Colours. I was also sent to Colour-Chem, Roha from 1978 to 1983 to set up the factory and plant there which I did successfully but didn’t accept the offer of going there to head as the Factory Manager there as my daughters were yet to complete their education. I accepted the post of a Technical Manager so that I could return back to Thane after successfully commencing and running of the factory.

After retiring in May 1992 as Production Manager Colours, I am still doing Consultancy till date which is indeed a very satisfying career for anyone. I have been working from 1957 till date which is 61 long years. I may think of retirement once my grandson is settled in his job.

Childhood Memories

I remember very vividly one day I needed to buy a notebook. We lived in Girgaum and my father worked in Carnac Bunder. The notebook cost 6 paise then but yet was difficult for my father to buy it for me. But since it was needed urgently in school, my father walked with me to the Bookstore, bought me the book and then went walking to Carnac Bunder since he did not have enough money to travel by tram. That time I realised what hardships my father had to undertake so that I could complete my education. That moment I had made up my mind that I was going to complete my graduation as education was a very important factor that could get us out of this situation. I wanted my father to experience happy days once I completed my education. That is why I took up a job but unfortunately he didn’t live too long and died soon after I got my first job at Hickson & Dadajee.

Another cherished memory of my childhood I can say is that of my best friend, philosopher and guide who was with me throughout my childhood, youth and married life. He was Bhai Kotkar with whom I could share any of my problems and each time he came up with the most appropriate solution. Unfortunately he did not live very long.

My Family

I was born in a large middle class joint family comprising of four brothers, two sisters, parents and grandparents. My Father used to work in a British private firm Metcaff and Hodkinsons, as a Clearing Survey agent. I am the only person in the family who could fulfil my father’s dream of completing Post-graduation.

I got married at the age of 29 and had a happy married life for 52 years. I lost my wife 2 years ago. My wife was a Commercial Artist from JJ School of Art and worked in a private firm. She had to sacrifice her career for the family as my job at Colour Chem Ltd. required us to stay at the company quarters at Thane, which was far away from the station and in those days modes of transport were very limited. I have two daughters both post graduates, elder one in Commerce and the younger one in Science. Both are pursuing their careers. My elder daughter Anarkali worked for 13 years with Dignity Foundation, a perfect job she was looking for, to do something for the society and enhance her people’s skills. After Dignity she changed her field completely working for Sharman, a centre for the Prevention & Treatment of Lifestyle Diseases for 2 years and now she’s working with Orthofit, a pioneer clinic in Foot, Ankle and Biomechanics Care as Manager PR. Aparna my younger daughter was in the US for 8 years where she worked at Bowne Business Communications as Project Leader for Inventory Management Systems till 2006 and now is working with FIGmd as Senior Technical Content Writer. I have two sons like son-in laws, one an Advocate at Mumbai High Court and the other a Post Doctorate in Polymers. I have a grandson who is an IT Engineer and a MBA. He has already got a job in Deloitte Consultancy.

Fitness Mantra

My day begins at 6 am daily. I wake up and first thing I do is Pranayam and a little bit of Yoga everyday. I have also been doing Jala Neti for 30 years which helps keeps my sinus clear, no headaches and mental stress as it benefits us by removing the excess heat out of our brain.

My house is at 3rd floor and I need to climb at least 3 to 4 times a day. We do not have a lift. Every morning I go for a walk of 2 to 3 kms. Later I also need to do bank and other work for which I need to go down. I do not use any other mode of transport but prefer to walk as it is faster in the traffic and it helps me keep active. Once I have finished with outside work my home work takes my time. Besides exercising I feel a good and balanced diet is very essential for anyone to keep fit.

I have been suffering from Diabetes since 1976 but due to exercise and controlled diet and leading a disciplined routine, I have been able to keep my sugars under control. I feel that to lead a Healthy and Active life one must eat everything in moderation, exercise regularly and must be mentally active also and of course do regular health check ups.

I retired at the age of 61 from Colour Chem and had decided that I wanted to keep working atleast for a few more years. And I had the backing of my wife, daughters and sons-in-laws. But didn’t realise that I would be working even today at the age of 86 and will continue to do so as long as my health permits and I can travel alone. For my consultancy work I travel to Ahmedabad for 4 to 5 days in a month, where I live in a Hotel and travel to the factory since my work involves dealing in dyes and pigments required for manufacturing colours.

My wife passed away in March 2012 and since then I live alone at Thane. Both my daughters wanted me to come and live with them but since my health permits and all my friends, my bank related work etc is all based in Thane and home being in the heart of Thane close to station and market, I find it convenient to stay at Thane. Living alone means maintaining the house which is a full time job but no regrets I am enjoying this new role though I do miss my wife and other family members.

I am a very social person and have lots of friends and most of my friends have been there with me in all stages of my life. I still meet my school, college and Colour Chem friends and often go out for weekend picnics with them. Earlier I was not very fond of the new technology maybe because I thought I would not be able to cope with it but since the time I have been using the smart phone, I have been able to keep in touch with family and friends through Whatsapp, I surf the net for interesting news articles, work related material. So actually speaking my day begins at 6 am and I don’t realise how it is 11 pm.

Active Ageing

An active senior citizen according to me continues to live life the way he/she has been doing for years depending upon health status. Once you retire at the age of 60 in India, these days you can expect to be living at least 20 years post retirement due to rise in longevity. So you must decide what you want to do post retirement, whether you want to work or do social work, plan your finance properly, keeping in mind the inflation rate etc. Your spouse and you should be well equipped to live alone especially because till then your children would be married, some maybe living abroad or living elsewhere. Must continue exercising, have a controlled diet. Learn new things, like new technology like smart phones and computers.

Mobility and Independence are of utmost importance as one ages and hence it is so very essential that one continues to work as long as possible so that the mind and brain are being utilised constructively.

I think I would rate myself as 3.5 on a five point rating scale of active ageing. Though I am active but there’s so much scope for improvement, doing newer things, learning new things. There’s so much to be done in life and age cannot be a bar.

Secret to Happiness

There’s no secret formula as such to happiness as happiness is a relative term. I may find happiness in a certain thing but the same may not be a source of happiness for someone else.

For me a peaceful and happy married life, being honest and loyal to each other is a key to happiness in life. And I am indeed lucky to have shared 52 years of togetherness with my wife and I was able to fulfil many of her wishes and desires. Unfortunately she had to sacrifice her career for the family and was always there with us whenever we wanted her and that too with a smiling face. She was an artist, a culinary artist as well and she derived happiness from cooking the most wonderful dishes for us and presenting it nicely.

I also believe that one should never lie, learn to accept your mistakes and work hard. These are the qualities I learnt from the Germans as I worked in Colour-Chem a multi-national which was a German collaboration and they emphasised on the importance of these qualities which helps develop an individual. And I have benefitted immensely from this learning.

Another important point I would like to make is that everyone needs money to lead a comfortable life, agreed but money cannot be the only criteria for happiness. It is love and understanding amongst family members and the willingness to sacrifice for one another which are ingredients of a happy life.

Wishlist

On the top of my Wishlist -I want to see my grandson Pranav who’s an IT Engineer and an MBA in Marketing & Operations from NMIMS Mumbai, become the CEO or partner of a company. Hope this dream of mine is fulfilled. I also wish to actively participate in organising his wedding function whenever it happens.

One thing that I was not able to do though I really wanted to was to do Ph.D as I had to take up a job to support my family. Given an opportunity I would like to fulfill this wish too.

Above all, I always want my family to enjoy their lives to the fullest and I wish to remain healthy and fit, independent and mobile as long as I can.

My Message

Based on my personal and professional experience I have learned that hard work, honesty, perseverance, determination to achieve a goal is the key to success.

Enjoy life but at the same time follow a disciplined life, eat healthy, exercise well and remain healthy. Do not criticise or judge others easily as we do not know what they are going through.

Life is short and maybe we have just this one life to enjoy, stay connected to family and friends. There can be a time in everyone’s life at some time when he or she has to live alone, if you have good friends, you will not feel lonely.

My principle in life has always been -“karmanyevadhikarastema phalesukadachanama karma-phala-heturbhurmatesango ’stvakarmani”

I believe that one should work and not expect much in return. The pleasure of doing work and enjoying it should be the main motto.

Every new day is a gift to us from God and we have to make the most of each day. I want to continue working as long as I can so that I can utilise and share my knowledge and experience as much as possible.

P.S. This story is shared by Mr. Rao’s daughter Mrs. Anarkali Velkar, who is a passionate social worker and a wonderful human being.