Every time I meet an elderly couple, I wonder from where they derive that zeal and stamina. It is clear that age has not withered many.
It was at a relative’s house warming that I met an “old but young” couple - Mr. Arun Gokul Das (73) and his wife Vandana Gokul Das (68). But I couldn't guess their age based on their physical appearance.
As soon as I was introduced to the couple, the first thing he asked me was “Beta, how often do you, donate blood”, I was amused at such a question, but later embarrassed to answer. “The last I did was five years ago.” And all he replied was "to stay healthy you should donate more. Don’t worry I will motivate you.”
It was later I found that he holds one of the highest blood donation records in India. So far he has donated blood 157 times, starting right from the age of 18 till date. In his entire time span of donating blood, it was never deferred nor rejected.
“I believe that is the secret to my good health Every time I donate blood, new blood is pumped into the system. Donating blood makes you healthier; so why refrain from it, and, most importantly, no one has ever died of donating blood, but someone might if you don’t,” opined the veteran Rotarian, Mr Arun Gokul Das.
He runs innumerable camps and motivates many youngsters to donate blood. Moreover he has been a guest lecturer for many social organisations to profess the positives of donating blood.
“I find it very amusing when people question me on age and blood donation, I am 73 and I am healthy ; so why should I hold myself back from donating.” Attributing his mother to be his inspiration, he recollected an incident when she was hospitalized at 83 Then she heard that a patient needed blood which matched her blood group, She had no energy left in her but didn’t mind donating blood.
“Even though we couldn’t take her blood, I was enthused by her benevolence. That incident reminds me to never stop helping others at any age.”
If the husband is so wholehearted at 73 how can his counterpart be otherwise? Vandana Gokul Das pursues a different passion altogether. She sings Gujarati folk songs at wedding functions.
“I have lived a very active life all through, with my husband being part of many social organisations I followed his footsteps by being his helping hand. And once my daughter got married, I had nothing much to do. That’s when I decided to pursue my passion in singing,” stated Mrs Das.
Folklore songs have been going on for generations. But how many of us know that a wedding is incomplete without these songs, stated Mrs Vandana who revived the culture of folklore singing in weddings.
She has no professional training, but along with her another partner, she has added the fervour to many Gujarati weddings with her melodious voice.
“Weddings are incomplete without the traditional rituals. As much as the chants of the pundits are important when doing Pheras, it is equally important to sing the traditional folklore songs at weddings and functions. They don’t just have traditional value to it but they keep up the wedding mantra going.”
According to her, life begins at 60, when you have no in-laws pressure, parenting roles to fulfill, just one full long life that is all yours to do what you couldn’t do earlier.
It was at a relative’s house warming that I met an “old but young” couple - Mr. Arun Gokul Das (73) and his wife Vandana Gokul Das (68). But I couldn't guess their age based on their physical appearance.
As soon as I was introduced to the couple, the first thing he asked me was “Beta, how often do you, donate blood”, I was amused at such a question, but later embarrassed to answer. “The last I did was five years ago.” And all he replied was "to stay healthy you should donate more. Don’t worry I will motivate you.”
It was later I found that he holds one of the highest blood donation records in India. So far he has donated blood 157 times, starting right from the age of 18 till date. In his entire time span of donating blood, it was never deferred nor rejected.
“I believe that is the secret to my good health Every time I donate blood, new blood is pumped into the system. Donating blood makes you healthier; so why refrain from it, and, most importantly, no one has ever died of donating blood, but someone might if you don’t,” opined the veteran Rotarian, Mr Arun Gokul Das.
He runs innumerable camps and motivates many youngsters to donate blood. Moreover he has been a guest lecturer for many social organisations to profess the positives of donating blood.
“I find it very amusing when people question me on age and blood donation, I am 73 and I am healthy ; so why should I hold myself back from donating.” Attributing his mother to be his inspiration, he recollected an incident when she was hospitalized at 83 Then she heard that a patient needed blood which matched her blood group, She had no energy left in her but didn’t mind donating blood.
“Even though we couldn’t take her blood, I was enthused by her benevolence. That incident reminds me to never stop helping others at any age.”
If the husband is so wholehearted at 73 how can his counterpart be otherwise? Vandana Gokul Das pursues a different passion altogether. She sings Gujarati folk songs at wedding functions.
“I have lived a very active life all through, with my husband being part of many social organisations I followed his footsteps by being his helping hand. And once my daughter got married, I had nothing much to do. That’s when I decided to pursue my passion in singing,” stated Mrs Das.
Folklore songs have been going on for generations. But how many of us know that a wedding is incomplete without these songs, stated Mrs Vandana who revived the culture of folklore singing in weddings.
She has no professional training, but along with her another partner, she has added the fervour to many Gujarati weddings with her melodious voice.
“Weddings are incomplete without the traditional rituals. As much as the chants of the pundits are important when doing Pheras, it is equally important to sing the traditional folklore songs at weddings and functions. They don’t just have traditional value to it but they keep up the wedding mantra going.”
According to her, life begins at 60, when you have no in-laws pressure, parenting roles to fulfill, just one full long life that is all yours to do what you couldn’t do earlier.