The responsible status of senior citizens

Khekiye K. Sema, IAS (Retd)  

There are great many value systems of life and of living that were meaningfully tutored by nature and meticulously nurtured by our traditional ancestors on a firm rational footing. It saddens one's heart to watch the 'so-called' modern civilisation slowly beginning to efface our traditional gems. It likens a tired old warrior standing on a lonely hilltop nostalgically recalling the past glory as he watches the last rays of his fading generation slowly disappearing in the distant horizon like the fading rays of the sun. Each older generation feels the same as the new begin to eventually replace the old as it must. It is a never ending story. The status of the elder generation would be judged by the value system that they were able to leave behind for the next generation to follow.  

Traditionally speaking, the elder generation of the community in the past were a respected lot. Traditionally speaking, the younger generation in the community would only speak after responsible elders have had their say. This custom was not an arbitrary exercise of mindless seniority. The traditional saying that one does not acquire gray hair in a day fluently explains the depth of wisdom in this customs. The old would have crossed innumerable bridges of life and remember the challenges of each step that was taken...steps that each younger generation will also take as they too cross the same bridges. It was therefore a respected norm for the wisdom of the old to guide the new to maturity for a responsible progression of civilisation. Though times have changed the rationality of old values remain. All it needs is a gently nudged to keep the impatience of our younger generation constantly reminded that disrespect to the elders is disrespect to themselves for they lose the opportunity to absorb the values of life. This therefore is an effort to try and magnify the responsibility of our Naga elders, who have attained 60 years of existence and more and can rightly be addressed as SENIOR CITIZENS. We have a registered "Senior Citizen's Association of Nagaland" (SCAN) at a State Level that affords an open platform for all senior citizens to interact with each other...whether retired bureaucrats or private citizens with the exception of barring active politicians to maintain its identity as an Apolitical Association. The only qualification required for membership thereafter is that one should have attained the age of 60 years and beyond. Practically speaking the members of this forum would consist of people from all walks of life with diverse experiences acquired over the years. In a bleak scenario of Nagas not truly having a reliable apolitical forum to ventilate a matured unbiased opinion on any given subject of importance to help the masses to exercise their minds honestly, there is no other well informed platform comparable to SCAN to fill up this vacuum. The present reality is however rather disappointing  in that except for a very few dedicated elders holding the fort as Office Bearers, there is hardly any sign of our senior citizens wanting to participate despite being already registered as members.  

The one thought that I would wish all senior citizens to introspect in their quiet moment is this: Each one of us has been blessed with the opportunity to travel this road of life covering a longer distance than what is left before us. Each one of us has had the opportunity to pick up both the enlightening as well as disheartening experiences of life. The Almighty did not faze us through this process for nothing. He expects us to lend a helping hand by sharing those experiences with the younger generation that follows and guide them to avoid the pitfalls that we have otherwise crossed. It is incumbent upon us to return a portion of these blessings of experiences to those in need of it. It would amount to selfishness not to do so. Think about it prayerfully. The "Nagaland Senior Citizen's Association" (as it is presently known), will be calling for a General Assembly shortly. The date, time and place will be widely publicised in our local print media. We are hoping that the responsible status of senior citizens will be recognised by each one of us and expect each to enthusiastically participate and help leave an honourable legacy behind. We are hoping to spend quality time together to debate on some of the pressing current issues that needs to be addressed. It is for you to decide whether you are a taker or a giver... for the time to give is at hand. Hope to see you soon and God Bless.