The age we all hate

Recently I was at my Brother-in-law's cousin's wedding ceremony. I was there to accompany my Brother-in-law, who travelled miles to attend this wedding. Hardly I knew people over there. I had formal conversations with everyone out there. And I was just waiting for lunch to start(An interesting part of any ceremony, at least for me). It was around 10 AM and I had almost 3-4 hours more to spend. I was bored and none of the ritual happenings over there grabbed my attention( I just need attention). I almost spent 1 hour there in conversation with relative uncles(GST, Demonetisation, Modi, Job, Marriage, Bengaluru traffic etc). Then I found that I have no topics left to make our conversations interesting. I was asked by my sister to meet a girl at the wedding, but my curious eyes couldn't find her anywhere around. I had nothing more interesting things to wait for, other than to wait for, to see the girl who probably has no interest in me.

I silently went for a brisk walk in Shri Shiva Bala Yogi Maharaj Trust( Here was the wedding ).  The Ashram was huge and most of its area was covered with greenery, like anyone else I love the greenery around and started walking towards the deeper areas of the Ashram. I don't know whether I am Atheists or Agnostics, but surely I was not willing to go inside the temples over there. While I was walking in the small park, suddenly I came across messages written on small boards throughout the park. Most of them were related to mediation and good work. I started reading each one of them and clicked pics whichever impressed me. 

   I was listening to FM 95.0, and there were some nice Hindi songs on air and enjoying the songs. I went a little deeper into the park and I found two old ladies sitting on the chairs looking at the park with millions of lost dreams in their eyes. They were just sitting silently. I felt their silence had more to express than their words. They were in their seventies. That drew my attention and I started walking towards them. An old lady, close to 80 years old was walking with a walker and in her other hand, she was carrying a small bag (dustbin). I rushed to her and asked her to give me that bag so that I can help her. Initially, she didn't understand what I meant, but later she understood and said: "Mein karlongi beta"( I will do it myself, son). I asked again, and she refused and moved from there.

I was clueless and looked aside, there was a board in Kannada "Hiriyara Mane "(Old-age home). For a moment I was speechless. I read it again, it was written Old-age home. I felt pity seeing that board and I couldn't dare to go and speak with those old ladies. They seemed to be missing something in their life, I was very much eager to give my ears to listen to their stories but I just couldn't dare anymore now.

 Had they ever thought at any point in their life that they would land up at this place and situation? I certainly think not. No parents would wish this for their kids. It takes huge courage to take such a decision of sending parents to an old-age home. All parents may not be lucky enough not to land up here, but some may have no option other than to choose this ill-fated choice.

How sad is this? I really wonder what all these people go through in their daily routine of life, how people criticise them, what people talk about them behind, what all these people miss, their kids, grandkids, relatives, friends, good neighbours and many others. It is not easy to stay here in old age. Everyone has their own problems, and we don’t find any compassionate ears to listen to the stories.  

First of all, old age is a curse to mankind if one is not healthy and not surrounded by dear ones. I don't think anyone would enjoy old age rather they accept it. Then just imagine someone here at old age houses who have not heard from their loved ones for years.  

Unfortunately, I didn't grow up my childhood with my grandpa and grandma. I always miss them. They left the world early. Whenever I see old people I wish I had grandparents who could have told me stories, given their laps to sleep, and could have certainly shared life lessons, who could have protected me from my parents whenever there was a need. This makes me happy to speak with old age people, I try to see my grandparents in them.

I started sensing the good work of the Ashram when I was walking out, but my initial thoughts were different. Initially, I was thinking why do poor people get looted easily like this in the name of GOD? Why someone chooses this route and start cheating innocents? When do our people realize this and act on it? But while coming back, I was thinking of all the good work of the Ashram. The old age was neat and very clean. The people staying over there seemed to be enjoying and content with how they are living. I am sure Ashram would be running some educational institutes and some social activities.

Whenever I argue with any of my intellectual Atheists friends about God's existence, I conclude by saying this, "Let us agree to the disagree !!! Finally, the truth is the concept/belief/real existence of the GOD is to constantly and with compassion to provide good food, shelter, education, health, peace, and much more to the millions of needy and elderly people. 

Let us be grateful that whoever did this (GOD), did it for goodness and humanity(to protect our very much proven life-living practices which are to date applicable to our lives). We should be thankful to the creator of this concept. Let this keep going ". Let us not try to kill this just to prove that we are intellectual. Personally, I have taken great advantage of various religious trusts throughout my life. 
http://meltingmanasu.blogspot.in/2013/01/blog-post.html

I wish to start an old-age home, Kalyana Mantapa (Wedding-Hall) and hostels, where boys/girls hostel and Kalyana Mantapa can be made put up together in the same place. All three services would be free. Boys/Girls should take care of and give company to old-age people and Kalyana Mantapa would supply food and a charity to trust, all boys/girls and old-age home people should be invited to all the functions and should be felicitated on the occasions. Whoever comes here to attend occasions can choose to donate. And most important people should be approached to stay not to be sent by kids.

PS: Most of the images are situational and from the internet. Photo credits to the internet.