An age for introspection, reflection and gratitude

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who turned 75 a week ago, generated much discussion and speculation on the relevance of that particular age, especially when it comes to our Prime Minister (PM)'s incumbency in office at that age.

- Gopalkrishna Gandhi

Bhagwat and others have since clarified that he did not mean to suggest that he or anyone else should call it a day on reaching that age. So, astu, or "be it so".

Yet I cannot but reflect on the thought there is something about being 75. Something. Not something good or something bad, just something.

Let me stay with India and Indian examples. India's first deputy PM Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel died in 1950, at 75. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964 at 75. But before the reader says, "Ayyo, this is so grim" or "Hai hai, this is just too morbid", let me correct the mood. Back in 2007, PM Manmohan Singh overcame a brief moment of danger with flying colours, at precisely the age of 75.

PM Singh had a midair brush with danger? Where, how? Well, the great good thing is that "finally nothing happened". That "nothing" happened like this: On November 11, 2007, Air India One flew the then PM safely and comfortably to Moscow; the PM was in Russia for an official visit that is now all but forgotten.

Everyone deplaned to a great welcome in Moscow's chill, ahead of a bilateral meeting that saw PM Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold crucial talks, reiterating the two countries' strong and unbreakable ties.