IT'S SIXTY NOW!!

                                                     

                                                                                      

(when retirement age was raised from 58 to 60yrs.)

It was a dinner party, lavish and big. Two colleagues – Mr A and Mr B were to retire from a prestigious bank by the month-end. Two of their juniors Mr C and Mr D who were going to benefit by getting promoted were hosting a farewell dinner at the house of Mr D.

The guest list was an assorted one and included bankers and government officials. Though they were all from different institutions and age groups, what glue them to one another was their insatiable curiosity about the careers of others, their perennial habit of comparing one another and of course the usual bitching and gossiping. That day, befitting the occasion, the conversation centered around retirement. Mr A, one of the retiring officers was contentment personified. “I had a full career. I have no regrets” he said. But Mr B, the other guest of honour was in sour mood. “But why? We are still hale and hearty. Why can’t we get two more years? Like our friends in RBI?” thundered the belligerent banker.

All eyes turned to the lone RBI officer present. Enjoying the privileged status, yet trying hard to conceal it, he said “Oh, come on. Don’t sulk. I myself am already vexed with this daily grind. If only we too retire at the age of 58” he sounded wistful.

Mr A agreed. “Yes, of course. We had our time and now we should give chance to youngsters. Otherwise the unemployment problem will rock the country. Just think about the thousands of poor unemployed youth of our land! If, we old people stick to our chairs, how will they get a chance? We should not be so greedy” he preached.

“As if his retirement alone would solve the entire problem”, Mrs C whispered in Mrs D’s ears. They both were the hostesses. The youngsters were visibly impressed by the magnanimity.

“But, Sir, you are an exception. Most of the seniors are like leeches”, chirped in Mr. E, a careeristic young turk, tongue-in-cheek. He was working under Mr B.

Mr B glared at him. If only looks could kill! But Mr E was unfazed. He was notorious for his devil-may-care-attitude towards people who do not matter in his scheme of things.

Mr D, in whose house the party was going on, sensed the heat and switched on the TV news in an attempt to divert their attention. But it was not to be.

After the usual blah-blah about national policies, the news reader suddenly announced in a cheerful tone that the government had decided to raise the retirement age to 60. That came as a bolt. Everyone was taken in by surprise. There was pindrop silence for a moment. Then there was a jubilant mood around.

The RBI man exclaimed, “What a pleasant surprise! So now you will also join our group. Congratulations” he said enthusiastically. But to others it sounded like pure jealousy.

B turned to E. “So now, young man, we have no choice, you see. We are officially made the leeches”.

E turned pale. He was well aware of B’s elephantine memory. He desperately made a mental note of never rubbing him on the wrong side in future and also his mind was racing to find ways and means to undo the damage.

Mr P from another bank was not far behind. He turned to A and asked sarcastically “So, Mr A, what will you do? Will you accept this extra time or retire by this month-end?”

Although dumbfounded, A was quick enough to gather himself. “Oh–ah-well-see-I am a humble disciplined soldier—always am. Whatever may be my personal views, I will follow the orders. If I am ordered to remain, I will. It is as simple as that.”

“See his hypocrisy.” It was Mrs D’s turn to whisper in Mrs C’s ears.

“But there is a thing called voluntary retirement, you know?” P did not want to let him go. Since quite some time it was a common sight in the social circles, A presenting a picture of looking forward to his retirement and B dreading the impending disaster.

Mr C, although enjoying the drama- thought enough was enough and addressed Mr B, “So, your wish is granted. You must be very happy”. There was a slight trace of disappointment in his voice which was quite understandable.

Quite contrary to expectations, Mr B was still in sour mood. Given his aversion to retirement, his bad mood was unfathomable.

“No” he glowered.

There was an uneasy silence around.

“You know what happened? Last week I got my house in Calcutta vacated and I had to go to the court for that. Only two days back I sent my family there with bag and baggage to get the necessary repairs done. I forced my daughter to reject a very lucrative job offer here and now she is sitting idle at home. My son had to pay a fat deposit for a house which he will be renting from next month. I had to arrange that too! And now they say ‘you will get two more years’. What for this borrowed time and at what cost” he was breathing fire.

Now all were in a better position to understand his earlier sour mood. They were full of sympathy for his unenviable plight!

All of a sudden A was a little skeptical. “Hey, did anybody hear the news properly? Did he mention the date from which the order will become effective? Will it be from this month or next month?” He was anxious to know.

“See his hypocrisy?”Mrs C again whispered.

“Don’t worry. He said the decision will come into force within 2,3 days-much before the last day of this month” someone reassured him. A was visibly relieved.

But P was still in a taunting mood. “But friend, I think your birthday was on the 13^th of this month. Isn’t it? That means you completed 58 years before this announcement.”

A was flabbergasted. “But-but-“ he stammered “Will I be denied of this? They can’t do it to me. How can they? I have to find out quickly then.”

“See, see” it was Mrs C again to Mrs D.

Smelling something fishy going on between the two of them, Mrs A came nearer. In a conspiratorial tone she said to Mrs D “See, people change their colours so easily. From tomorrow, the very people that are ignoring us since some time, will sing a different tune. Just be watching” with a slide glance towards a startled Mrs C. Everybody knew that of late Mrs C was indifferent towards Mrs A. If it was not for her good natured husband’s insistence, she would not have agreed to give this party at all.

Having had her say, Mrs A sauntered away. Mrs E, ever curious to know what was going on all around, joined them. Seeing Mrs D’s dejected face she enquired “Why are you so subdued?”

Mrs D hesitated a little before admitting, “Of course, I am” she sighed “If only this news came one day earlier, we would not have bothered about this party. Since morning I was toiling alone”-this with a glance towards Mrs C, who despite being the co-hostess, was so irresponsible as to arrive late along with the guests-“and all this trouble is a big waste! They are not going to retire” she sounded disappointed.

“—and we are not going to be promoted” Mrs C quipped in. “Added to that , Mrs A is cross with us now”.

Mrs E nodded sympathetically.

Throughout the dinner, the menfolk were discussing the related problems.

Mr S, a government official was repenting “Of late, I was very disobedient towards my boss. Thought he would be going home soon. Why, only yesterday I told him ‘I care two hoots for you’ Imagine! Saying this to my boss who would be around for two more years now! Must try to change my desk and go to some other boss.”

“Will it be possible for you?”E enquired enthusiastically. By now, his tongue was bleeding as a result of constant biting for a while.

Mr J who was due to retire next month was also worried. “I took my retirement for granted and virtually stopped working hard since two months. I delegated every thing to my juniors. Now I should start taking interest again and re-assert myself. Otherwise these fellows will swallow me.Oh, what a bore!” He beat his brow.

His wife chirped in. “It will be a tall order. You already lost the habit of working-either hard or light.” As the laughter subsided, she added, “From tomorrow onwards no preferential treatment at home for you. Don’t go on saying-‘I am a tired old man’ or ‘keep in my age in mind’ or ‘I need rest’ etc. etc.Be active and agile”

“My son got selected in this commercial bank. But it had to be against some retirement vacancies. I don’t know what will happen to him now” One father was worrying.

Suddenly there was a shriek. All looked at Mrs P. She was besides herself with joy. They were all puzzled. “My maid servant--bless her! You know. I am very lucky to have such a nice and sincere maid. But she was saying they would shift to their village next month after her husband’s retirement. But now, this means he will not retire and she will not leave. Oh my good fortune!”

“But in my case it is the reverse. My maid already accepted a new house from next month. What shall I do?”Mrs A lamented.

Mr D was airing his problems. “And that means the two good-for-nothing-creatures of my peon and driver will not retire for two more years. I have to bear with them till then. Oh, god!”

But Mr P’s face brightened. “A handful of my officers are really gems who are hard-working and sincere. Now they will remain for two more years. What a relief! I need not worry about finding substitutes for them now.”

The party came to an end. The guests started to leave after thanking the hosts who although a little crestfallen at their changed fortunes, put on a brave front.

“Shall I drop you at home, sir” E offered to B who refused rather bluntly. “No, don’t bother. My house is in the opposite direction.”

“No, sir. It is not a bother, sir. It is a pleasure, sir” E was pleading desperately.

“I will sue them if they deny me extension just because I was born before this announcement”A was threatening.

“So were all of us” P chuckled.

“I mean just because I completed 58 before this announcement”A corrected himself.

“See, see” Mrs C whispered after making sure that Mrs A was not in the vicinity.

Mrs D was staring at the disarrayed furniture, the piles of plates and dishes and the fast disappearing figure of Mrs C.