It was a horrifying scene. Veteran Indian leader George Fernandes — who won a seat in Rajya Sabha as an independent candidate — taking oath in a state of absolute shambles. He looked weak, tired and weary and had problems reading the oath.
He needed assistance to walk, stand up and read out the script. The scene raised a big question mark on his ability to contribute in any way to the ongoing proceedings, given the acerbic and aggressive way in which our houses function. Now I do not have anything against Georgie boy. His career in Indian politics has been the stuff of brimstone and fire. He has always been a firebrand politician and as far as eye can see, one who has been honest
and forthright.
In a country where most politicians are afflicted with an acute case of megalomania, his khadi kurta, no frills demeanor and total disregard for Z security was a welcome change. But clearly now his best is past him. And it was rather unfortunate to see him in that state taking his oath. I know it is crass to ridicule the old. After all every one of us will get old someday.
In India the parliament is full of septuagenarians and octogenarians. Many of them come to the sessions in wheelchairs and doze off during sessions. They stumble on their dhotis, fall down in public gaze and faint while viewing military parades. If we look at the leading international leaders todaythe shift everywhere is towards young and vibrant icons. Obama is 47-just see him get off a plane, he looks like a man on a mission; Putin, who in the buff could easily give Daniel Craig a run for his money in a Russian version of James Bond, goes deep sea-diving in Siberia and is proficient in Sambo a Russian form of martial arts; Sarkozy well, he has Carla Bruni. Apart from doing what they are supposed to be doing, they lead jet-setting lifestyles and schmooze with style and élan. Crackling with energy and vitality, they have beer summits, go for beach holidays and have fashion icons as wives. Then why does India have to make do with dhoti and khadi clad fuddy duddies?
India as a society has always given immense regard and respect to age. Patriarchs hold court over joint families and make important decisions till the last day of their lives. It is a good thing that due to the societal structures here, the old are not ostracised unlike some Western countries, though now the trend is changing here too. It is okay in India if you are over 35 and still live with your parents. Sending old parents to old age homes is still frowned upon. But there is a difference between giving regard to age and letting age rule over the governance of the country beyond acceptable levels of perfect physical and mental health. Age is not a substitute for dynamism and efficiency. Eighty per cent of Indian politicians are well over 70, while 70 per cent of the country’s population is below 40 years of age. Senior politicians in our parties have acquired larger-than-life images, simply because of their length of stay and not for any great accomplishments made by them.
The average age of Indian Prime Ministers since 1947 is 65.2 years, which is more than the prescribed retirement age of professionals in government institutions and departments. While it would be wrong to say that all our young parliamentarians today are brilliant and bubbling with ideas right away, but they do give a youthful and progressive perspective and have many fruitful years ahead of them. The baba log brigade of Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Varun Gandhi, Milind Deora – photogenic as they are, still look like a bunch of greenhorns who often need to take a back seat and undergo the strict party ‘hierarchy’ before they can reach the upper echelons of power. These debates come up every few years regarding a legislation spelling out the upper age limit for leaders in our country, but such is the ideological vacuum in India’s foremost political parties that they cannot do away with their lucky mascots who are few and far between and getting older. Perhaps, we should shift focus and just think of providing extra care and specialised services to our beloved elderly leaders.
· Frequent cups of green herbal tea for its antioxidant qualities and tackling of those aches and pains. Maybe a Prozac for the ordeal of actually braving the taciturn circus-like sessions we see on TV.
· Light meals such as gruel, khichri, porridge and vegetable stews can be stocked up in the canteen. Though inside news is that only communists actually dine there, with all others rushing off to the nearest five star hotels. Surely all that greasy heavy food couldn’t be good for their guts.
· A tablet of digene after their lunch.
· Some of them could use a regular dose of laxatives. So maybe a lifetime supply of Isabgol.
· And for those suffering at the other end of the spectrum, maybe some free supply of adult diapers.
· Hearing devices with a special feature to block out shrill discourses by the likes of Mamta Banerjee and Mayawati. Surely all that ranting couldn’t be good for their hearts.
· Convert one wing in all houses and state assemblies into geriatric wards with an inhouse doctor/cardiologist/ nephrologists/ oncologist/ urologist/neurosurgeon.
· They could make some good money by becoming the brand ambassadors of leading hospitals in India. Imagine Manmohan for Escorts, George Fernandes for AIIMS, Karunanidhi well, he can just be the spokesperson for RayBans on wheelchair!
· Finally, a work from home option so that till the last day of their life they can lie down in bed and hold the proceedings via web conferences.
· If in spite of all these precautions, if someone kicks the bucket while on duty, an in-house undertaker would not be entirely out of turn.
Shivani Mohan is an India-based writer. She can be reached at smshivanimohan@gmail.com
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