The Hindu Business Line : <I>Old timers' quandary </I>

Old timers, approaching the age of 75-80, often find themselves in a quandary. The days they were young and growing up seem the very acme of perfection and excellence, whereas the present times, especially the members of the present generation, seem superficial, slip-shod, unfeeling and self-centred.

A Matriculation of the 1930s, they assert, is worth half-a-dozen Ph.D.s of today, because when they were in schools and colleges, they had giants as their teachers thanks to whom they were more aware and brought up better.

What a contrast when they look at the teachers and parents of today! They are not alive to their responsibilities towards their wards and offspring to the needed extent, leading to the degeneracy and crumbling of standards and values that they see all around.

No discipline, no cleanliness, no respect for law, corruption everywhere and utter disregard duties and obligations.

Taking all this into account, the old timers have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the country as a whole is going to the dogs.

With a deep and distressed sigh, the fretful fogies take the names of some Galahads of public life of 60-70 years ago, to point out what masters of the English language, what great teachers, writers, orators, achievers, leaders in various walks of life they were, and how the planet is nowadays peopled by puerile pigmies!

Are things that bad? Not really: The youth today is more adventurous, enterprising and better informed, but since their interests are different, they keep to themselves, giving an impression of indifference.

Also, pace of life has become more punishing, competition more severe and demands more exacting.

In view of these pressures, observance of niceties and decencies in family relationships and social intercourse may sometimes suffer.

Taking the totality of circumstances, however, the sum of the good and the bad at all times remains constant. Old timers can, therefore, calm down.

B. S. RAGHAVAN