Age is just a number

Ramdas Bhatkal, who completes 90 today, it actually is just a number as he plans to write books and a few performances in the near future

- Shruti Pandit

A self-proclaimed Gandhian, his day starts early when he goes for his three-kilometer walk. After doing yoga at home, a light breakfast and he is waiting for his executive assistant to come. At 90, Ramdas Bhatkal has a busier life than most of his age. Two strokes and one surgery have not slowed him down.

"I think I am 25, calendar and people say I am 90!" says Bhatkal with his signature smile. "On a serious note... I really don't count my age. Others do. They say I don't act my age. I feel like a 25/30-year-old and therefore I act like one!"

At 90, when most have made their will and are not planning anything new, Ramdas Bhatkal is in midst of research for the three books that he plans to write. And he confesses that he made his will just two months ago when some of his friends forced him to. "I just didn't realise that I might die now!" he shares. "So never made the will."

Which are the books that he is planning? "Three definitely... but actually I have a few others in my mind as well... but since everyone keeps reminding me that I might not have many days in hand, I say three..." Bhatkal clarifies. "First book that I am writing is a sequel to my earlier book – Mohan Maya – on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. In Mohan Maya, I've really written about Gandhi and his friends. In the new one I've tried to examine the impact of others on Gandhi.

The second is a compilation of articles I have written so far on Gandhi."