Generation Divide

Srichand Arora

To an outsider, we would appear to be a bunch of predominantly elderly men and women on a roll. In reality also, most of us have well crossed the threshold of youth and technically, would qualify to be 'senior citizens'.
Yet, surprising as this may sound, there exists a striking generation gap within us which only we are able to recognize (if subliminally) and is invisible to all others. On the one hand, there is a carefree lot who can never be serious, are perpetually up to playing pranks and quite evidently, have forgotten to grow up. On the other hand, there are the serious and even intimidating types, self-opinionated but always held in high regard.

Cross-section of the mixed grouping

They are the classical oldies. But then again, this has nothing to do with physical age or appearance.
A prime example of the older generation would be Srichand Arora.

Yusuf Rassiwala

Nobody messes with him -- as indeed with Sitaram Hivarkar and Ved Prakash Grover and Santosh Tyagi and Harbans Kaur… Much as they are adored and admired, they are also kept at an arm’s length simply because of the way they conduct themselves. An invisible line separates them from the rest and nobody can dare to cross that line.
At the other extreme are the forever young-at-heart, as this example will amplify.

Geeta Sardana

Today, Shekhawat pulled up Yusuf Rassiwala for “playing phunti” yesterday and then lowering his voice, inquired mischievously what he was up to. Pat came the reply: “Do I check the kind of ******giri you are up to?” Both broke into uproarious laughter as only juveniles can.
This is the no-holds-barred spirit that also binds the likes of Ram Shankar Shukla, Nahid Khan, Nafisa Sayyad and Tara Chand Seth. Nothing stops them from playing the fool with others and vice-versa.
Significantly, there is also a third category, sandwiched between these two generations and they comprise a majority of female members. Ladies like Geeta Sardana, Khatoon Baig, Sunita Jajodia and Razia Khan can be refreshingly outgoing and happy-go-lucky, clearly defying their age. And yet, they can also turn chillingly staid and old-fashioned, taking everyone by surprise. You could call them the 'Tweens of Twilight Years'.
Harish Wadhwa:
* At heart, each one of us is young (actually 'very young') since it still beats for one and all with concern and care. The child in us will never die. Rather, the senior citizens will become children as they grow. It is logical therefore to have fun, joke, mock, feel sad, brood, back-bite, etc.
* I must have made at least 8-10 clicks today to read this blog...