Retirement

Most of my boyhood companions have either retired from their jobs or are on the verge of retirement. Officially I have a year left for entering that stage of life in which you never get a day off. Personally, I wouldn’t want to retire at all till the last breath. Being practical, I know that the best time to start thinking about retirement is before my boss does.

School reopened yesterday after a month’s summer holiday. Reopened partly, that is; the whole school will reopen when the monsoon ushers in a totally different mood in the state. As we got ready to go to school yesterday, Maggie remarked about the inertia that the one month vacation had built into her psyche. It is then I realised that I was waiting for the school to reopen. I hope my boss won’t think of my retirement too soon though I know that even he is restricted by the given system.

What actually buoys me up is the reward I receive from my students for my efforts. The results of the Board Exams were released yesterday and my students’ performance filled me with delight. I’m not an adherent of the Nishkam Karma doctrine of the Gita. I will not continue my job beyond a day if my students’ performances are not up to my expectations. I leave Nishkam Karma to the saints in the Himalayas and the emerging pundits in current Indian politics.  

But the prospect of retirement doesn’t threaten me the least. In fact, I’m well prepared for that inevitable phase of life. Reading and writing will continue to be my faithful companions. Perhaps, I’ll begin to enjoy many things which I never cared to notice hitherto. I’m pretty sure a whole new reality will open up before me.

A friend wished me happy old age on my last birthday assuming that I had turned 60 when I had only turned 59 in fact. I told her that even 60 is not old age now. I’m still young and will continue to be so till my last breath (hopefully). Let others retire. I shall recalibrate. I know how to make new beginnings.