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)
Beautifully written Rama. So true, we have to add life to years and not years to life. For that friends are the best tonic
Thanks Alka for your kind words . Friends are not just a tonic but inspiration too. We look up to our seniors. They are our role models.
Dear Rama you deserve accolades for putting the titles of films in right perspective for our age group. Rather than Vanprasad the focus is on “Zindagi na milegi dobara “. We are lucky to have collection of intelligent colleagues who appreciate, are concerned and ready to help . Being with friends from different stages of life is rejuvenating.
Keep writing dear .
Wow ! This is so apt! ‘Zindagi naa mile gi dobara .’ Thankfully you didn’t quote a dialogue from DDLD ‘Jaa Simran jee lee apni zindagi .’😉
Jokes apart , we are blessed to a ‘life’ after retirement. Thanks to our beautiful MCM family.
Thanks vini dear for your lovely comment.
Dear Rama ji
Deep philosophy in simple language, delivered with wit and a catchy twist.
I find that retirement has taken the load off my head, and now I can indulge in so many different things, with time in my ‘muthi,’ as they say!
Absolutely no intention of stopping after retiring from the job!! Job was part of life, not life!!
Well said Vibha .‘ Job was part of life, not life.’Coming from a conscientious professional who gave 100 percent to whatever role she was given, your comment shows how mature you are.
Vibha , wish you a long purposeful retired life.
It is a motivational blog for the seniors ,who suffers from emotional problems and loneliness.It is full of positivity and optimism.
Thanks Garima for your kind words. 🤗😍
Very meaningful article dear Rama!!I agree with what you have suggested in your patent style!!Sometimes body dose not behave because of unavoidable medical reasons but I feel inspite of physical limitations one can live happily and meaningfully if one has positive mindset and thankful loving heart and spirituality also helps miraculously to face odds of aging with a blissful smile 😊
Wow Yes Neelam , I agree with you hundred 💯 . Not everything is in our control. Health can really be a daunting challenge. However, the way you have expressed so beautifully, we can override the health issues with spirituality and a positive mindset. And here we have the best example in you who remains spirited and positive..
Wishing you a long blissful purposeful life …. Always smiling.. 💕💕
Harr gharri baddal rahi hai roop zindagi chhaaon hai kabhi, kabhi hai dhoop zindagi , har pall yahaan Jee bhar Jio, jo hai samaa Rama kall ho naa ho. Khush raho, interact karro, ladies have an upper hand, enjoyable kitty parties, regular satsang in localities, yoga in parks,yoga at home , aurr health supplement ke liye Nari kee Bakwaas suno. Bas retired life is cool and Jhinga lala.
Sachch mazaa aa Gaya . Isi tarah hanste raho , hasate raho ..
In a way you are right Narinder . We women work a lot yet don’t miss out on fun.
Thanks Narinder for giving an interesting twist to the article.
Dear Rama always very well scripted article citing punch lines from different films in right perspective. I like the punch line “joyful living “. Yes at times in pursuit of materialistic things n responsibilities we forget to pair longevity of life with genuine happiness. This is easy to say life mein maza nahin hai but hardly do any effort to seek. But times are changing fast like minded people or retirees are forming groups to travel or keep themselves busy in some or the other joyful activity. This is adding more years to their life. Bindas jee rahe hain.
Uma , sahi kaha . Let age not be a limiting factor, ‘ khul ke jiyo ‘ so long as you can .
Thank you so much dear for adding to my ‘joy span’.
Wish you a long , healthy joy span .
One’ s retirement years can be fully enjoyed if one is healthy, busy and happy( swasth, vyasth and mast). It is our dear friend Rama who has discovered the ideal tonic for this state of mind and body – one’s true friends who make you laugh and share your joys and sorrows. The real motivation is their company and inspiration.Also keeping oneself fully engaged in some activity or another keeps one mentally agile. This is how one adds life to years. A delightful piece indeed!
Thank you so much dear for the beautiful summary of my article.
Praveen, I owe these words of wisdom ‘vyast , swasth and mast’ to Mrs Veena Kapoor who shared her philosophy in her retirement speech. I feel blessed to have friends like you in my life .
Wishing you a long healthy joy span .
🤗🥰
Adding joy span to life…
Your Article beautifully paints all shades as life advances..
Remembering Anand movies solacing sentences… Jindgi bri honi chahieye…
True living through grandchildren solely gives way to better options of offering kids help whenever required n letting parents make them ready for coming life…
Enchanting of Vedanta words… Vanprasth…. N Sansant Ashrams…
Rejenuvated… Being forgotten long… But still relevant indirectly…. In indirect sense…
Yes big gratitude to medical sciences for timely diagnosis n blessing longivity….
Compelling reasons to get up from bed sounds very good to add joy to life..
Friends n family… Around.. Silly jokes.. Yes.. Memories of old movies.. School days n teachers adds great spice..
Yes.. Lamba jiye.. Healthy.. Meaningfully… N joyfully… Prayerful slogan of all of us…
Sunset years are for others.. Donating.. Self searching..
N lo your summing up… Stretching Joy Span in life.. Write up give us intellectual.. Romantic.. Tintalizing feeling all over..
Be blessed always..
🎊🎊
Di , mein kya kahun? Bowled over by your detailed analysis elaborating every aspect I touched . Beholden to you for the way you always read intensely and give your thoughtful comments.
A big THANKS di .
Wishing you a long healthy joy span .
🙏😍🙏💐🙏🙏😍🙏