The Man Who Wrote A Book At 101

Subramanian’s father S Thiagarajan wrote a book at the 101. His son gives us a peek into the late centenarian’s incredible life.

We landed at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru one fine afternoon on the short flight from Coimbatore. My father and I were returning home after celebrating my father Thiagarajan’s 100th birthday in a befitting manner with all religious fervor attended by friends and relatives. My father was in good spirits after consuming the tasty veg sandwich given during the short flight. I had also bought him a cup of ice cream, which was very tasty for him but he was shocked to learn its price. All the passengers had departed, and we were waiting for the wheelchair.

My father became impatient and took his walking stick in his hands, ready to get down from the steps and walk across. I knew perfectly well he can comfortably do that even at 100, but I had to restrain him for two reasons. First, the airline staff would wonder why we had booked a wheelchair in the first place, and second, it will take unduly much time to reach our car with his slow and extra cautious walking. I even suspected for a moment that the hostesses might be a bit confused as to whom the wheelchair was meant for – for me (age 74) who looked older or for my younger looking father (age 100).

100th birthday celebration of S Thiagarajan

After a couple of weeks, my father strolled one day into my room, where I was relaxing with a newspaper, and declared he is thoroughly bored, and he wants some exciting project for him to remain engaged. Having run out of ideas with his past projects, I promised to come up with something in a couple of days. Luckily that evening, my former colleague, Mr. Upadhyay, called to enquire about the ‘Poornaabhishekham‘ as the 100th birthday was called and regretted that he could not attend the same at Coimbatore. He specifically requested an elaborate chat with my father as he wanted to hear from him firsthand the secrets for his healthy longevity, cheerfulness, and excellent mental and physical fitness. While promising to arrange for the discussion, I realized that he has just given me an idea to keep my father engaged.

I suggested to my father that he write a book based on his personal experiences on how one can age gracefully and enjoy life. I pointed out that he is still eager and comfortable to work on his laptop; he has the experience of having written half a dozen books on his hobby and passion ‘Photography,’ though some decades earlier. I recalled many young and old becoming awed looking at his sprightly demeanor at that age. I reminded him about the incident at the nearby Post Office where he drew his pension. After seeing his age record on the computer screen, the lady at the counter rushed and did a ‘Sashtanga Namaskaram‘ then and there in the busy office to the wonderment of the staff and customers. The Postmaster informed my father of being the rare centenarian in the Karnataka Postal Circle drawing double the pension. She went on to seek practical tips and suggestions, stating she would be retiring soon from her service.

The informal release of ‘Start Life Afresh At 60’

Catching my enthusiasm and realizing the value in my proposal, my father consented to put the required effort. I provided him with a selection of reference books from my library. He set about his task right earnestly, and the result is his book ‘Start Life Afresh at 60’ published in June 2019.

Later, at a formal launch in Coimbatore, my father summed up in his short speech that at old age, adopting especially a more flexible approach, positive attitude to life, cultivating an attached detachment, and remaining engaged in some productive activity or other about which one is passionate – all these matter much and will make a significant difference to the elder’s life. He stressed the importance for one to remain mentally and physically active. He pointed out that he did not miss his morning rounds with slow walking for about an hour and stretched his limbs despite his age. His recent book project kept him mentally energized for almost a year. Now he is delighted to see the outcome and its usefulness to many in their life.

My father suddenly and unexpectedly passed away peacefully in the first week of September 2019.

The consolation was that my father lived to write and see the finished book and its success and the readers’ acclaims. Deepa Cherian, a young finance professional from Singapore said that the book gave her some profound insights into the mind of the elderly and how to be prepared for the topic that we all avoid discussing until it hits us personally – aging.

“The author shares how to deal with health challenges, which gets amplified with the passing of years and the need to keep both bodies and minds healthy. Another fascinating aspect he shares in the book is the need to change with the times, acquire new interests (like he did with his computer skills and writing a book), and be receptive to the ideas of the new generation. There are several lovely snippets in the book like the ones where Mr. Thiagarajan shares the thought process he goes through when getting ready to go out, or his reaction to seeing his granddaughter’s fiancé sporting a beard. All these are written in simple and engaging prose, which makes completing the book a breeze. It is a book that not only helps us be more empathetic to our aging parents but also prepared for old age. This book is an inspiration for the elderly to embrace old age and see it as a new beginning. I finished the book with great admiration for Mr. Thiagarajan, who not only lived a long life but lived life to the fullest.’

Prof. Dr. V.M. Iyer, the renowned Orthopedic Surgeon, Sholapur, Maharashtra, and an octogenarian, thanked the author from the bottom of his heart, wishing he had come across this book some 30 yrs ago. “I would recommend this to everyone in their fifties. Their other life would be a memorable one. There are so many things in the book worth appreciating/emulating,” he said.

Such feedback gives one satisfaction that the author’s enormous efforts at his age in writing this book proved to be worthwhile in helping senior citizens and provided a glimpse to the youngsters of an aged person’s life and requirements.

True to the quote by Socrates in Plato’s Republic included in the book which says, ‘There is nothing which for my part I like better (Cephalus) than conversing with aged men; for I regard them as travelers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom I ought to enquire, whether the way is smooth and easy, or rugged and difficult,’ the book ‘Start Life Afresh at 60’ by the amazing centenarian Thiagarajan illuminates an exciting path for our senior citizens to take in their golden years.

In case you want to buy a copy of this book written by the late centenarian, you can order on the following two links:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9385745336/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_YjmDEbW161DR7

http://startlifeafreshat60.saanviemporium.com/

You may also buy copies by writing to Subramanian at  subramanian.t47@gmail.com.

Image Courtesy: Members of Thiagarajan’s Family