3 Elders share moments that gave them joy, and moments they regret

This series is being started to capture moments that men and women cherish most or regret most as they start getting old.

 In the first part of this series, three Senior Citizens reflect on three moments that brought them happiness and three moments that they wish had never happened.

Group Captain Anil Vohra (Retired), 62, Noida

# Three happiest moments

• I am proud to have joined the armed forces and served the nation. The first time I went to the academy, the first time I donned the uniform, everything about my time with the armed forces was memorable. The uniform carries a weight to it, and it has given my life immense meaning.
• The birth of my children – Arjun and Krishna. Also, every time our family gets together is memorable. We are Khatris from Peshawar, Punjab. It is a rare clan. The family is very close to each other. We are five brothers, spread all over the world. But we remain connected with each other, and it is always memorable when we get together in our joys and even in our grief.
• On the more recent side, I picked up golf. I have a big circle of friends, and a bunch of us get together to play. Batch mates, course mates, friends made along the way – neighbors and people you come across. It makes for a good time. And the conversations during the game is as memorable as the game itself.

# Three biggest regrets

• I lost my dad when I was four or five years old. I regret his loss, and that too at such a young age. I never got the chance to interact much with him. I believe I would have been an even better person.
  
• Although I was a good sportsperson, I regret not making good use of that. I played most sports – tennis, squash, cricket, chess, swimming, hockey, you name it. I played with Kapil Dev. But after I joined the forces, I did not pursue it as actively.
• I regret that I am not a multi-millionaire. Not for the assets, I live a comfortable live. I believe I could have helped people structurally. People that are needy, ill, not able to make ends meet. Even now when I reach out and help others, there is only so much that I can do.

 (As told to Siddharth Pandey, a freelance writer based in Noida.)

 Shri Jagdish Dubey, 84, resident of Bhabua (Bihar), Retired as Primary School Teacher

# Three happiest moments

• All the children in the family are getting a high-level education. Someone is pursuing medicine and someone is pursuing law. Even girls are progressing well in their studies. I feel very happy that all the children in the family are doing well in their studies.
• I always respected my parents, and I always listened to them. I am delighted that I have been an obedient son. Whatever my father said to me. I proved to him that I can do it. This gives me happiness that my father guided me on the right path.
• My father had some extra land left even after equal division. So, he told me to give this piece of land to his youngest brother since he believed his brother needed it more as his family was big.

# Three biggest regrets  

• I wasn’t getting a job when I was around 20 years old. With each rejection, it left me wondering: will I ever get a job or will success ever be on the menu? Even after completing a training course, I had to struggle a lot.
• When I was around 25, there was such a situation that my father’s brother had gotten separated from us, which I feel very bad about and regret deeply. I think if all of us had grown together, there would have been much better development for us.
• There was a get-together of all the village members. A lot of people had come to the function, and some of my friends had promised me something. But they didn’t fulfil their wishes, so I felt hurt.

 (As told to Akash Dubey, Second Semester BAJMC student of School of Media and Journalism, DY Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune.)

 Shrimati Maya (name changed), 74, Bhubaneswar

# Three happiest moments

•  The birth of my children, watching them grow up and start families of their own. My youngest daughter used to say that she never wants to get married, but in the end, she also found someone she loves.
• When my husband’s brother passed away due to cancer, things were very bleak. The house was silent like a graveyard. The kids and I, we worked very hard in those times, trying to comfort everyone. There is a difference between mourning and drowning in grief. We made sure no one drowned.
• I am proud of some of the meals that I cooked, especially for my husband. He loved eating, especially fish. He used to tell me that I could have been a chef. I remember those compliments every time I cook.

 # Three biggest regrets

• I regret not working in an organization. Being a housewife is hard work too, but I was a smart child and I got good grades. I would have liked to see what I could have done in a professional setting. But those times were different.
• I regret some of the fights I had, including some with my children, and even my husband. I don’t know why, but I was very quick to anger in my younger days. I would like to understand why, but I suppose that will also remain a regret.
• I regret not understanding why I was quick to anger in my younger days. (Laughs) Yes, I am afraid this is the third regret you will get.

 (As told to Siddharth Pandey, a freelance writer based in Noida.)

Read also:
Pride, emotions define Republic Day for Senior Citizens