Babuji turns 100 with lessons of a lifetime
An invitation to attend the 100th birthday of my friend’s father took me by surprise. Usually flooded with invites to attend birthdays and weddings of friends and relatives, an occasion to celebrate the centenary by Babuji, as he is addressed by one and all, came as a welcome relief.
In today’s times, leave aside reaching the milestone of a century, keeping oneself healthy and fit even during middle age is a formidable challenge. Though infectious diseases have been controlled by advances in medical science, lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart ailments and thyroid disorders have affected people in a big way, which in turn has increased mortality and morbidity of the middleaged around the world.
Therefore, a chance to meet the centenarian, fit as a fiddle, was a matter of intrigue and honour for me. Close friends and a few relatives converged on his house boasting of a herbal garden, an ayurvedic pharmacy and a cowshed with two cows on the outskirts of the city to celebrate the occasion.
Babuji, an ayurvedic physician, welcomed everyone with a warm hug and cold kinnow juice. Seated in a semicircle in the lush garden, interacting with the man of the moment was a rewarding experience. During the long conversation, Babuji was introspective on many occasions.
I would like to highlight some pearls of wisdom he shared with the fortunate few.
He said stress is like birds flying around you. They may disturb you many a time but don’t let them build a nest in the mind.
Staying close to nature in the context of your diet and habits is the panacea for almost all ills.
Staying busy in every age is the surest remedy to keep illness at bay. As they say, happiness moves on busy feet.
Diseases of acute onset may be construed as an act of God but of all chronic diseases, man himself is the author.
Helping out the needy and deprived can bestow you with inner calm and joy that no wealth and privilege can buy. “I examine scores of patients daily and administer herbal medicines I prepare. Seeing a smile and a ray of hope on their faces keeps me going,” he says.
Last but not the least, Mr Exercise, Mr Diet and Mr Sleep are the best friends of a man. Daily exercise, mindful eating and a relaxing sleep are a must to stay healthy.
The sumptuous lunch in the caressing warmth of the sun was followed by homemade icecream of cow’s milk, which was enough to pamper our senses to the best in the salubrious surroundings. We assembled for a group photo with the seasoned centenarian, who stood ramrod straight, before bidding farewell to the man whose valuable lessons to lead a healthy and fulfilling life will stay with us forever.
May you live long Babuji and keep serving humanity in your own little way. No prizes for guessing what we received as a return gift: Chywanprash made in the herbal pharmacy under the watchful eyes of the Vaidyraj, of course.
STAYING BUSY IN EVERY AGE IS THE SUREST WAY TO KEEP ILLNESS AT BAY. HAPPINESS MOVES ON BUSY FEET