As my parents grow older, they seem to live in each other's shadow bereft of individual identity. It did not used to be this way when I was growing up. They were deeply unlike each other and strife was the order of the day. Over the years as their energy to die on every hill has faded, they have morphed into this unified persona which does not exercise much if any independent thinking. The one way to see some of the old spark in my father is to discuss politics with him. The recent events in Kashmir made for a lot of animated conversations and brought home some sobering realizations about old age. It seems like his field of vision has narrowed to what is immediate and in proximity.
When he speculates the future of India a few decades out, he does so from a position of nonchalance. He will not be around to be part of it. What matters more is today, the next month and the year. His radius likely does not extend past the city limits of Kolkata. Given such lens, his views surprise me at first but upon consideration they make perfect sense for his context. If geriatrics like my father comprise a size-able part of the voter base, the country would not likely get the elected representatives it deserves or the governance that will serve it best in the long-term.
Unlike the youth who may tend to be apathetic or the middle-aged who are too swamped in their day to day problems, a lot of old people like my parents have the luxury of time to be influenced by the most effective propaganda machinery they are exposed to. I do not have to argue with him but I am fascinated by his world view that is simply not possible to change.
When he speculates the future of India a few decades out, he does so from a position of nonchalance. He will not be around to be part of it. What matters more is today, the next month and the year. His radius likely does not extend past the city limits of Kolkata. Given such lens, his views surprise me at first but upon consideration they make perfect sense for his context. If geriatrics like my father comprise a size-able part of the voter base, the country would not likely get the elected representatives it deserves or the governance that will serve it best in the long-term.
Unlike the youth who may tend to be apathetic or the middle-aged who are too swamped in their day to day problems, a lot of old people like my parents have the luxury of time to be influenced by the most effective propaganda machinery they are exposed to. I do not have to argue with him but I am fascinated by his world view that is simply not possible to change.
Comments