More Seniors Set Foot in SFV

Of late there has been an influx of seniors to SFV. Either by themselves or with their children. And it is a pleasure to welcome them. At this rate the day may not be far off when SFV becomes synonymous with a retiree’s paradise. Anyway, here are a few with whom I rubbed shoulders.

If you spot a tall, lean gentleman with a long-range-zoom camera hanging around his neck and looking up the trees and bushes, quite oblivious to the humans around in the park, rest assured he is Mr Shankaran. He moved into Ebony recently. He is an avid bird watcher, and always has Salim Ali’s (Ornithologist) book by his side. If you are in his good books, you can trust him to share with you a vast photo-collection of birds, butterflies and what have you, all clicked from our surroundings. He is very much in tune with Nature too. The other evening  we were both sitting at the Joggers Park. Suddenly he asked me if it was the noise of ‘cricket’ that we heard. I looked around, and reassured him, “No sir, they are playing tennis, and it is the sound of the ball hitting the ground.”  “I know that, but I mean the hissing sound from the bushes - the insect cricket I mean, also known as cicada,” he overemphasised just to bring home the point he can distinguish between cricket (game) and tennis. 

Speaking of Nature, we met Mr Pruthi Raja, from Maple (he’ll forgive me if I didn’t get his name right). He was on a reconnaissance visit from his established home in Mysore. To move or not to move to SFV, still haunts him. He said he retired from the Water Supply Department. We jumped at it and asked him if he could help us get Cauvery water connection a little early. He clarified that it was not exactly the job he was connected with. Anyway, post retirement he is engaged in Natural farming. “And what exactly is Natural farming, sir?” the rest of the seniors asked him in unison. “To grow a natural boundary with shrubs and trees high enough, rather than erect an artificial fence, check what the soil can take, rather than forcibly grow what you wish; plant trees, shrubs, that will attract butterflies, birds all of which contribute to the natural farming. As we dispersed after a prolonged discussion, he suggested forming a WhatsApp group of those present. A good sign. Also he shared with us he was leaving for Mysore early next morning, but would re-visit earlier than originally planned. Welcome. Half the mind made up, we guessed.

Bird watcher, natural farming specialist, doctor, professor, engineer, IT professional, banker… SFV abounds in assorted professionals and hobbyists. To add yet a new dimension, we have a High Court judge as well in our midst. Mr Subramanian (Maple) retired as a High Court judge specialising in intellectual properties, based in Chennai. “So did you have an occasion to deal with the historic patent rights obtained in US by some Indian-Americans for turmeric, and also the Basmati rice, both of which took India by storm not long ago?” I asked him. “Yes I dealt with both the cases, and with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research preparing an exhaustive list of several such items in use in India for centuries, we delivered a death-blow for anyone to ever attempt patents on such products. The US government promptly withdrew the patents.” 

In sharp contrast to these hyperactive individuals, we met a sober Mr Narasimha Sastry (Ebony). He retired from the Railways. He subscribes to the principle, “Never speak unless spoken to.” The best concession he ever extends, however, is an infectious smile. With his son and family he stays in Ebony physically but his heart is still in L&T South City where, he boasts, they have better infrastructure - everything at a stone’s throw. He is not alone. Quite a few other residents too feel similarly when they move in. It takes a while to begin count one’s blessings. Fortunately he was so appreciative of the Ram Navami celebrations that it prompted to ask, “When is Ganesha festival due?” Early symptoms of getting into the groove, I felt.

Then there is the elderly couple, the Ranganathans (Maple). On the threshold of eighties, the couple never miss their daily quota of one-hour walk in the evening - slow but steady. The lady serves as a great source of strength to him to brave certain age-related challenges. At the Ramanavami celebrations she whispered into my ears from behind if she could render a bhajan number. I wish I could say yes to her. But I was not the organiser. So I pointed out to her the persons managing the events. She seemed less inclined to approach them. Let’s hope we will have an opportunity to hear her next time.

Mr Srinivasan (Oak) moves in the Joggers Park practically unnoticed, as though calculated to draw the minimum of attention. Yes, the same man with that three-line vibhuti  adorning his forehead. During a chat, it transpired he is from Nurani village, close to mine, and that he studied in the same school as I did. Not just that. In Bangalore we both lived in Anand Nagar and attended the same religious festivals, and had many common friends. Strangely, we had never bumped into each other, nor could vouch having seen each other. And, at the family level, his sister is married to my colleague’s brother. To cut matters short, if only my sister were present at the conversation, given her who is whose who relationship-connecting acumen, she would have established that the two of us are distant cousins.

V V Sundaram

Maple 3195

13 April 2017