By Vincent Van Ross

For those who believe that it is time to hang up the boots and retire at 60, there is news. Life begins at 80!

In India, life before 60 is divided into three parts of 20 years each. Now, children get admitted to a school the moment they are born! That’s because you have kindergarten (KG), nursery and even prep in schools.

Traditionally, children used to start schooling at the age of five. By 20, he is through with his studies. Then he picks up a job and works through his prime age. By the time he is 40, he is tired with the job. Unfortunately, he is nowhere near where he feels settled in life. So, he pushes himself. And, at age 60 he is retired (re-tired)!

Now, some people are getting simultaneously tired and re-tired at age 40! Because of difficult targets and high stress levels, people get burnt out at a prime age. But, there are those who push themselves after 60. Rabindra Nath Tagore started painting at the age of 60 and went on to become one of the masters of Indian art.

Then there are those who push themselves beyond 80. They are the real achievers in life. They refuse to give up. If you are over 80 and feeling down, here is something to pep you up.

The US film director, George Cukor, directed his popular film “Rich and Famous” at 81! The American statesman, Benjamin Franklin, helped draft the US constitution at the age of 81. The British politician, William Gladstone, became prime minister for the fourth time when he was 82 years old.

Claude Monet, the French painter, was 84 when he completed his famous water-lily paintings! The Italian artist and sculptor, Michelangelo, produced one of his best sculptures, Rodandini Pieta, at the age of 88!

If you are amazed with what people in their eighties have done, here is what people in their nineties have achieved! Pablo Casals, a Spanish musician, conducted the Israel Festival Youth Orchestra at the age of 96. US film actor, George Burns, appeared in his last film “Radioland Murders” when he was 98 years old. Greek athlete, Dimitrion Yornanidis, participated in a marathon run at age 98!

If that is not enough, just take a look at how much the centurions have scored. Ichijirou Araya, the Japanese climber, climbed Mount Fuji at the age of 100! Alice Porlock, the British writer, published her first book when she was 102 years of age! Now, that is some achievement.

If you have had a full run of your life,…if you have retired at the age of 60 and feel that you have not achieved what you wanted to achieve in life, don’t lose heart. Begin now, it is never too late. Success knows no age!