Remember the famous dialogue delivered by Rajesh Khanna in the iconic movie ‘Anand’, “Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin.” (Life should be big, not long.)
Exactly! What is the point of living longer if one isn’t actually enjoying life? The pursuit of longevity seems meaningless unless it is paired with genuine happiness. Over the years, medical science has extended the average lifespan, but simply adding years to life is not enough; we a need to add ‘life’ to those years.
For too long, the focus was solely on increasing ‘life span’. Recently, that focus has shifted to ‘health span’ implying disease-free healthy living in later years. But why stop there? Why not aspire to have a joyful living (joy span)? Coined by gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight, ‘Joy span’ refers to the physical, mental and emotional well-being required for active and vibrant ageing. The ultimate aim shouldn’t be just a long, healthy life, but joyous living, a life rich in purpose filled with laughter and fulfillment.
Today’s retirees certainly get it. They are not interested in total withdrawal as advocated in Vanprasth nor do they wish to retreat into the quiet solitude of a Sanyas ashram. And rightly so, they retired from a job, but not retired from life! While they adore their grandchildren, they are not content living solely through them. They want a thriving life of their own.
Why not? Retirement doesn’t mean the end of the world; it is the beginning of the second innings. The years beyond sixty can be pure bliss provided one stays ‘swasth, vyast and mast’ (healthy, busy and happy).
Of course, for aging to be joyful, longevity must go hand in hand with dignity. That starts with financial independence. Planning for the golden years ought to start at a younger age, ensuring a part of the salary goes into a secure fund so one never feels dependent on anyone later in life.
Equally critical is physical independence. One must invest in one’s health and fitness. Daily walks and regular exercise are non-negotiable. Of course, it’s an ageing body. Like a vintage car, it needs a little denting and painting from time to time. Despite medical interventions, some health issues are bound to crop up. They are a part of life; one must learn to take them in stride.
True wellness, however, is a healthy mind in a healthy body. Keeping the brain agile requires mental workouts—Sudoku, crosswords, puzzles. Even traditional hobbies like knitting have immense cognitive benefits.
It is said, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, but the reverse is just as true. With nothing to do, life becomes boring and monotonous. Joyful living requires purpose. There has to be a compelling reason to come out of bed every morning. Research shows a strong relationship between active engagement and longevity. Retirees who stay completely disengaged face higher health risks, while those who stay actively involved often enjoy decades of vibrant living.
Our sunset years don’t have to be dull and dreary. We can bring color into our graying life by socializing, travelling, and staying deeply connected with friends and family. Friends are the ultimate tonic. Being around our peers lets us shed guard, act a little silly, and feel young all over again. As yesteryear film actor Sachin of ‘Balika Badhu’ fame, remarked at the Silver Economy Summit 2026, “There is no age for creativity. Intelligence can be artificial, but stupidity is always natural and original.” Let us give ourselves the freedom to unleash a little ‘original stupidity’ with old friends. Sing, dance, make merry with gay abandon, and get rejuvenated!
To borrow one last line from Anand: “Zindagi aur maut uparwale ke haath mein hai” (Birth and death are in the hands of the Almighty.) We can’t control the number of days we have, but Jab tak hai jaan (so long as we live), let’s make sure we convert our lifespan into joy span with a grateful heart.
(Published in Sunday Tribune, Spectrum Section on 23 August 2026)
