Our Duty to Old People

 Points: Different stages of life — Ripe experience of old age — Homage to old age is homage to life.

             Manes life passes through the different stages — Childhood, Youth and Old Age. These are like the beginning, the middle, and the end of a drama. Youth, it is true, is the most active and productive period of life. But old age has its role and charm too. An old man has the maximum experiences of life. He can advise best in many matters. Old teachers, old judges, old scholars are invaluable.
             A retired life need not be an idle life. It may not be strenuous but it can be fruitful. The society has a duty to its veterans — the old men and women. The Governments are nowadays establishing Old Men’s Homes. Some Associations are also coming forward. But individually we should pay respect to old men. This makes life graceful. There is a custom to celebrate the birthdays of the veteran people. The fiftieth, the sixtieth and the seventy-fifth years are observed as golden, diamond and platinum jubilee respectively.
             Life is a continuous process, from generation to generation. From parent to child, the river of life flows on. The old people are our lighthouses to guide the young sailors. One day the younger sailors will become old and become the lighthouses to guide the next young generation. This tradition is a treasure. And we must preserve it with care. Our duty to old people is nothing but our duty to ourselves, to our tradition, to the process of life itself.