By God's grace my father will be turning 68 early next year.I write this not to celebrate his birthday (in advance). I write this in recognition of the place of elderly men and women in the society.I write this to tell the world about the untapped wealth within these heroes.I do this because we suffer from the disease of ignorance.The disease of looking at shiny and gold-like things.Not ugly ones.The disease of rating persons by their looks and not what is within them.Yes!This is the path we've taken.
Elderly people are custodians of knowledge.They are libraries.They are depositories of information.With them you find all contents.They connect the past with the present.They carry with them unedited version of facts.They tell you in black and white.Their content is easy to read and comprehend.It doesn't require much - only paying a visit to them and you get connected to the past.This is the untapped wealth.
Elderly people are the moral compass that the world needs.Their lives are full of lessons.Unique lessons - only found within them.They have seen all.When they give examples,they talk of real life situations.Not fiction.They talk reality.They literally walk the talk.When you talk about marriage,for instance,they know it all.
They are the cultural link between generations.Culture is in their veins.It is part of their blood circulatory system.They are the pillars of societies.When you see them you see the true picture of their respective societies.They know the society inside out.They are capable of describing the genesis of the society.Wow!These guys are resourceful.
History is bestowed on them.When you eliminate them,you erase history.Hence play a pivotal role in shaping a society.History is an identity.It shows who we are,where we came from,what we believe....and you can find all these within these forgotten chaps.History becomes complete when their input is taken into consideration.
They are walking dictionaries.Look at this - how many amongst us can speak our native languages fluently?I guess this is a tall order for many of us.A language doesn't exist in a vacuum.It needs people.And you know what? These elderly guys know it.They have it all.They speak the "uncorrupted" version of the mother language.
They are a source of entertainment.With their stories and riddles they transmit wisdom.Their education isn't tiresome.They educate and entertain at the same time.Their education is original.It is not "doctored". It is pure, clean and ready to consume.
Food for thought : What if someone opens a Center for the Elderly and tap these riches from them.Wouldn't it be a lucrative business?
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