Beyond Retirement: 5 Incredible Indians Proving Life Begins at 60 and Beyond!(Part 1)

It’s an old white lie society tells us about ageing. A well-practiced and repeated whisper that says retirement is a “sunset”—when we grow old, and life is over. We are told to slow down, sit back, put our feet up on the rocking chair, and take it easy. We are given the impression that our best days are behind us and that the rest of our lives are just for enjoying a well-earned rest.

At Jagriti Dham, a luxurious old age home in kolkata we know better. Every day, we are witnesses to the fact that for so many people, retirement is not a sunset. It’s the opposite—it’s a sunrise—a new beginning, a second chance at doing those things that life before retirement didn’t have the time or space to let you do.

Through this article, we want to highlight and honour five amazing Indian senior citizens who have defied the “age barrier” and thrown it out the window. Ordinary people who showed that once retired, instead of slowing down, you can rewire! You can start again and do amazing things.

1. Bhagwani Devi Dagar – The Golden Sprinter (Age 96)

No one exemplifies ageing with such vigour and resilience as Bhagwani Devi Dagar when considering how to combine longevity and physical strength. When her friends in the same age group were slowing down, she entered the international stage at 94 years old. Playing her cards right at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland, she snatched the gold medal in the 100m Dash at 94 to stand head and shoulders over other competitors.

She doesn’t stop here; she achieved yet another two Bronze medals in Shot Put and Discus Throw. Mind blown? This woman is nothing short of magic. Dagar’s story reveals how dreams transcend age and reminds us to embrace the timeless beauty of pursuing our aspirations. You are never too old to nurture passions, find something new to try, or continue pursuing your favourites and achieve moments so extraordinary that they leave us all wondering and chasing. 

2. Padma Parikh—The Entrepreneur Grandma (Age 89) 

If you think that entrepreneurship is a game only for the young, you’ve yet to meet Padma Parikh. Affectionately known as “Padma Baa”, this grandmother of four is redefining creativity, purpose, and ageing one crochet stitch at a time. Crocheting had been her hobby for a long time—something she quietly perfected for years. But at 89, with the support and nudge from her granddaughters, the little act of love went big. She and her granddaughters founded PB Handmades—a brand that seamlessly weaves in craftsmanship, tradition, and love.

But what started as a creative outlet soon blossomed into a heartwarming global business. Today, Padma Baa’s handcrafted crochet items are loved and sold in over 10 countries, including the Netherlands, Australia, and Korea. Each of her designs reflects the warmth of her hands and a woman who won’t let age define her. Padma Parikh’s story teaches us something beautiful: A life filled with purpose can break through loneliness, ignite passion, and open the doors for surprising fulfillment. By turning her art into a channel for joy, confidence, and even employment for her granddaughters, she’s a reminder to all of us that creativity is medicine – a tool to heal, connect, and uplift, no matter our age.

3. Ramanathan Swaminathan—The Rocket Man (79 Years) 

If someone asked you what fuels the fire of your curiosity and imagination, what would you say? For Ramanathan Swaminathan, childhood passion led to a whole new world of play when his father bought him a Meccano set. Fuelled by his love for building and his curiosity about how things work, Ramji, as he’s known to all, put his imagination into practice from an early age. The spark that was lit in the young boy’s heart would one day bring India’s space story to a whole new level. 

Ramji is the Founder of Craftizan Engineering Models, an official Model Maker for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and an expert craftsman who, along with his team of 15 model makers, makes scale models of all the rockets, satellites, and space paraphernalia that we marvel at and the scientists and engineers at ISRO study. By hand-crafting replicas of the machines and marvels that power India’s space endeavours, Ramji and his team of model makers have created something that allows people, from scientists to school children, to gain a deeper understanding of ISRO’s programs and space exploration and development. 

In his quest to share his love for space with as many people as he can, Ramji has also created “India in Space,” a travelling wall museum that travels to schools all over India to ensure the country’s children get an opportunity to learn and engage with space and the ISRO’s achievements, often for the very first time. Ramanathan Swaminathan is a living, breathing reminder of how age is not a factor when it comes to fueling your passion and living your best life. Seven or seventy-seven, when you let your mind soar and fuel your curiosity, you can never know what heights your dreams can reach—Ramji has shown us they can quite literally reach the stars.

4. Thankamma Karusseril—Visionary of Compassion and Care (84 Years)

Instead of slowing down with age, Thankamma Karusseril started paying closer attention to the needs of people around her. She saw the loneliness and isolation that many elderly women in Kerala were experiencing. But it wasn’t the loneliness of being around people but of not having enough conversation, interaction, and caring human relationships.

Thankamma Amma didn’t wait for someone to fix the problem. She decided to take matters into her own hands. She went on to establish Manavodaya Pakalveedu, a daycare for the elderly women, where they could go and be among people, share stories, gain confidence, and simply be themselves. It’s a refuge that has given dignity and emotional nourishment to many in the community. Something that she had the foresight and compassion to see that was missing has now grown into a thriving haven for people in need. It’s not just loneliness that her establishment remedies; it has also given jobs to the young women who work there and care for these guests, acting as a generation-bridging centre. Thankamma Amma teaches us that empathy is a muscle that can only strengthen with age. She shows us that if there is anything that does not wither over the years, it’s care for our fellow beings. In fact, the older one is, the more one can care.

5. Godawari Dutta – The Timeless Guardian of Madhubani Art (93 Years) 

The idea that age does not define ability is displayed most beautifully by Godawari Dutta. At 93, she shines as a living jewel in India’s artistic heritage—a woman who has spent her life cherishing and protecting the famous Madhubani art of Bihar. Her life is a beautiful ode to lifelong passion. Awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India, Godawari ji helped bring Madhubani art from the walls of rural homes to the global stage. She not only popularised it across the world but also kept it alive as a vibrant, ever-evolving tradition for future generations.

Yet, what is truly inspiring is her journey of resilience. Through personal losses and heart-wrenching chapters of life, Godawari ji never stopped creating. Her art became her beacon – a flame that kept burning, illuminating her way even in the darkest of times. She teaches us that creativity isn’t bound by age; it can keep shining brightly, lighting up new horizons, year after year.

A second inning awaits you as well…

So here you have it—five spirited individuals who are a living testimony that Age is just a number. They have shown the way to lead a life after retirement that is vibrant, purposeful, and brimming with creative pursuits.

We at Jagriti Dham, a luxurious old age home in kolkata nurture and encourage this spirit. For residents to lead a purposeful, active, and happy life with the time and space to explore their old and new interests. To take up an age-old hobby, uncover a dormant talent or simply be at home in an ambience that is a refreshing change. That’s what the second innings at Jagriti Dham is all about. 

The question is—what will the next chapter of your story look like? If you would like to know how Jagriti Dham, a luxurious old age home in kolkata can make life after retirement a time full of activity, creativity, and companionship, please visit our website to start visualising your new journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is active ageing just about doing exercise and eating healthily?
  Active ageing is an all-encompassing term that involves keeping active in terms of health, mind and society. It’s about taking every opportunity to keep yourself healthy and secure and increase your quality of life, so remaining sociable and mentally stimulated is as important as being physically fit.
  
• Can I start doing something completely different or start up a new business after 60?
  It’s never too late to begin. The body and mind react well to positive healthy change at any age and the improvements to your longevity can be felt almost immediately. You should however always get the all-clear from your doctor for particularly strenuous physical activity, and take it slowly in the early days of any new professional endeavour.