The GURU I Know

I am aware of my limitations in penning a few words about Guru because whatever one writes about him will be minuscule to what the human being was. With my heart full and my eyes brimming with tears, I have nevertheless decided to take the plunge in penning about Guru, my very dear friend.

I first met Gurudas Kamat in the year 1976 when we were students at the Government Law College. I took an instant liking to him because of his easy approach-ability and his strong magnetic personality. Guru approached me when he stood for elections as the Class Representative.  He addressed the class requesting for votes and his gift of the gab left all of us speechless. Instantaneously, I had decided to support him and the election results were a no brainer. Guru emerged victorious and from then on our friendship bloomed. We took to each other instantly and there was never a day we were spotted without each other at the college. The daily routine of going to college was that Guru would come to my house, picked me up and both us travelled together. Most of the days he had lunch at my home and my parents liked him so much that he was served all the South Indian delicacies which he relished to his heart’s content. Thus began the friendship which lasted for forty two years when the Gods chose to take away Guru to their Heavenly Abode on 22^nd August, 2018. The news of his premature untimely death was too shocking and I literally slumped to my couch not believing what I had just heard.

The flame called Guru had extinguished. This flame which had lit many peoples’ lives and touched, moved and inspired a million lives had been suddenly snatched away from everyone’s midst. Crestfallen and heartbroken, I informed our friends’ circle who were too shocked for words. Such was Guru’s impact on people. It’s just sad and brutal that I will never see him again.

Guru was a born leader and when joining Government Law College itself was an active member of the National Students Union of India. Born to middle class cultured parents, Guru acquired leadership capabilities right from his school and college days. Guru had so many admirable qualities, a few of which I would love to mention:

·         He was a charmer with an infectious smile and had a charisma that was unparalleled.

·         Endowed with the gift of the gab, he had excellent persuasion and influencing skills

·         His attention to details was frightening but he could perceive things beyond the ordinary

·         Had a delightfully impish sense of humour and wit 

·         He showed immense courage and fortitude in whatever challenges were thrown at him, and always had his friends and opponents guessing about his next moves

·         For him, ‘what is right’ was more important than ‘who is right’. Hence, had his convictions and beliefs too strong for anyone to dare.

·         Extremely quick on his feet, he could come up with strategies instantly

·         Highly devoted son to his parents, an extremely loving husband to his wife Maharookh whom he often referred as his ‘Everything’, and Sunil, his son was the apple of his eyes

Stepping into our college days, we had real fun. In the three years we spent together at law college, I have been to every ‘who’s who politician in the country’ along with Guru. It was a great learning to see him meticulously prepare write ups, press releases, points for discussions with leaders and would want me to go through them and give suggestions as a third person would see it. We would spent hours in the law canteen and discuss everything under the sun consuming copious cups of chai --- calling it chai pe charcha. He would always have an opinion of his own on most of the subjects since he read voraciously and interests spanned from politics to movies to music to sports and you name it. The most intriguing part was that at all times he needed someone to accompany him. He would never ever go anywhere alone …. He loved company. And he had me to tag along and I learnt a lot being with him. 

I remember an incident when we hopped into a cab and realized that the cabbie did not know the address where we wanted to go. In his inimitable style, Guru asked another cabbie for the address who knew the same. Not wanting to disappoint the cabbie in whose cab we had already sat, he asked the other fellow to lead us and told him we would follow him. Till this day this arouses laughter imagining the scene where there was an empty cab ahead of us which we were following and both of us sitting in the cab behind. This also brings out another trait in Guru that he would ensure he does not leave anything to chance. Every evening after college Guru and I would go to his wife, Maharookh’s office, and then travel by train to our respective homes. Those were the times my friend Guru was dating ‘his to  be beautiful wife’. For Guru, his wife Maharookh was (is) his Universe. I remember the Pani Puri, Bhelpuri, and Lassi the three of us had most of the  evenings. Ice creams would be additional if the wallets were heavier.

Amongst our circle of friends, Guru was very much loved. When he was in our midst, he was the connoisseur of all eyes (women included but Maharookh kept them at bay). He had a lot of personal and political anecdotes to share and it was fun to hear him. He was our direct passage to both National and International news, and he was adept and astute in understanding the nitty gritty. I can hardly remember paying any restaurant bill when Guru was around. Guru was a foodie and loved to eat different cuisines and each time try a new eating place. I have to confess that all the best restaurants and hotels that I had been was courtesy Guru. Quite a lot of weight that I carry around, I owe to Guru and his fondness to satiate the appetite of his friends. Of course, all of us will miss his enormous enthusiasm and energy, his greater than life stature and his immense love and affection.

Guru was brilliant in academics and he topped the LLB exams of the Bombay University. Soon thereafter, he joined Phiroze Vakil to practice law. But it was short lived since his calling in life was Politics. He grew from strength to strength in Politics from a young leader leading the Youth Congress in the country to Member of Parliament in Mumbai for five terms to becoming the Minister of State at the Centre. It was through sheer hard work and dedication that he scaled great heights hitching his wagon to a star. I can recall that in one of the elections he was contesting, the application form of the opponent candidate had a technical fault. The opponent candidate called Guru and confessed there was indeed a technical fault that could debar him from the elections. Guru assured him that he will not complain and  that he contest without fear. This was the magnanimity and largess of my Guru. 

The amount of affection and love he had generated during his life was seen to be believed. Thousands of people had lined up to pay their last respects and homage to Guru with several of them in uncontrollable tears. Many of them were poor people whose hearts Guru had touched by his untiring efforts, hard work and dedication. Befitting his stature and the great human being he was, he was draped in the National Tricolor Flag, and State Honors were offered through gun salute and sound of the bugle.

Left to me, I will go on and on. Truly, a piece of my heart is forever broken with Guru moving on. His time had come and he was dear to the Gods. What else to say but  “That Death lays its icy hands on Kings too”.

I miss you Guru .... too much.

Doling (Dollying) out my learning

My friend Dolly has been literally pestering me to write. Dolly is a great friend and difficult to say ‘No’ to someone who can harangue and harass you with love. Thanks to Dolly, I put pen to paper.

Was wondering what to write and I chanced upon some ruminations of my first job in the Corporate world. I finished my Masters in Labour Studies, and those days in 1981 we did not have a Placement Cell in our institute. One had to literally slug it on his own ….. cold calling and applying to corporates.

Those were the days in 1981, when jobs were scarce as compared to today where there is abundance. Joined an engineering Company as ‘Labour & Welfare Officer’ with high hopes and aspirations to make it big. Joined the HR Department and was assigned the role to look after Canteen, sports and recreation, labour administration, court cases and conduct meetings with the workmen. I was all starry eyed and full of energy and curiosity. I had my tasks set out and found the role very interesting. The learning phase is always. After a lapse of six months, the new clothes started fraying at their edges and things weren’t as milky and honey.

The Company’s Directors had serious difference of opinion which earlier to a starter like me was not apparent. The issues surfaced and many of them were with respect to siphoning of money, non payment or delayed payment of wages, an acute shortage of provisions in the canteen, and simmering unrest amongst workmen. Since my role consisted of conducting meetings with workmen, I was given the ominous task of convincing the workmen about payment of wages, and also about the shortage of provisions in the canteen, As time passed, there was acute delay in payment of wages extending to two/three months, and food was unavailable in the canteen for several days. 

I remember addressing the workmen in groups at the shop floor and attempting to convince them every other day that things will shape up. I remember the palpitations inside my young body and can still feel it.I remember coming up with novel justifications to ensure the status quo ante. I assuaged the feelings and anxieties of workmen so that they do not take aggressive stances which might end up in labour unrest situations like a strike or lock out.  I even requested them not to queer the pitch since any disturbance would be to their disadvantage.What was conveyed to me by the Company’s senior management, was being conveyed by me to the workmen at large. Things did not improve and I had to sing the same melancholic tune of scarcity and dearth of funds. But most of the times, I had to eat a humble pie and apologize because promises made to the ear were broken to the heart. These instances of apology became more a rule than an exception and I experienced dissatisfaction.

The starry eyed youth was disappointed and started finding it difficult to go through the everyday grind. Started wondering whether the right choice was made to join this company, but there was no other choice too. It was a typical case of ‘you do it you are damned, you don’t do it you are damned’.  At least that is what I thought then. Going to the factory became an ordeal and each day was filled with anxieties, threats, gheraos, noisy meetings with rising tempers and no light at the end of the tunnel. I cursed myself for this stupid decision to join this Company but saw no solution except trudging along. I started detesting each day at work and the frustrations were mounting. Yet I had to go through the daily grind of addressing the workmen on issues of non payment of wages, and most frustrating was non availability of breakfast and lunch. Imagine four hundred plus workmen suffering non payment of wages on an empty stomach. It was clear that the  Company’s efforts to turn around were slowly reaching a point of no return. Every moment was painful and thoughts of quitting employment were emerging. Yet there was a sense of guilt of leaving the workmen in the lurch especially for me who was christened as a Labour and Welfare Officer. 

Dilemmas and polarities loomed large in my mind. At one end of the dilemma spectrum was the guilt of shirking my responsibility and ditching the workmen who truly believed in me, and on the other my own helplessness to resolve the issue coupled with my self interest to progress in the chosen profession. It was clear to me that I had stopped learning and growing. The starry eyed young boy was desolate and desperate apparently sulking and feeling that his dreams are shattered.

Is it really the way that life works? Looking back and joining the dots, one is compelled to admit that those moments of anxieties and frustrations were really the moments one was growing. Those were the moments when the individual was churning out alternatives and building justifications to convince workmen that they do not resort to extreme steps which would have been self-destructive for them. These moments of desolation and desperation also equipped one to be calm, look at things from a distance and not loose one’s cool. One understood that being credible is necessary, and it is more about the individual’s attitude to deal with difficult situations, and that polarities and paradoxes are a part of life.

Yes, the personal learning and experience has been that difficult situations test character and build character, leave one more humble,  and definitely makes one more open and receptive to handle life’s challenges.

Certain things really work

It was hot and humid in Chennai and it was the summer of 2003. I had gone to Chennai to meet the Assistant Commissioner of Labour who was to launch prosecution proceedings against the Directors of one of the Companies I was associated with. There were some very minor discrepancies in the registers under labour laws which was used as a ruse to start prosecution proceedings. Proceedings are never initiated for minor discrepancies.

The real cause was that when the Assistant Commissioner of Labour visited the factory one hot and sweltering afternoon, he was not respectfully treated and made to wait at the factory gates. Government Officers are too conscious about the authority they wield and do not take kindly to anything that hurts their ego. My mission at Chennai was to soothe his ego and ensure proceedings are dropped. The least I wanted was to see the Directors appearing in the Magistrate Court at Chennai and standing in the witness box.

I went to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Labour and it was around 11 am which is the time when Officers slowly arrive at the government offices. Things have changed since NAMO took over. I was called in around noon and I felt he seemed to be withdrawn and unfriendly the moment I introduced myself. He was this short guy with thick glasses and oily hair. I told him the background of our meeting and asked him to be lenient with us. I was apologetic that he was not given the respect he deserves. I was in this unenviable position but I was clear that I had to protect the Directors. I was tensed and profusely apologized to him. He was unrelenting and told me that the Company had to learn a lesson. I admitted that it was the lapse and indiscretion of one of the officials. Despite my pleadings and declarations, the Officer was firm and in a harsh tone told me not to waste his time. Not one to easily lose cool, I made one final request. He was unmoved and I felt his bruised ego superseded his sanity in arriving at decisions.

Totally dejected and confused as to what needs to be done, I sat on the benches which are a part of the rich heritage of the government offices. My only saving grace, I thought, was my excellent relationship with a lot of peons and other officers. But what could they do in such a situation. I was desperate. Life has its own curious twists and turns. Seeing me crestfallen and disappointed, one of the peons asked me what the issue was. I briefed him but he too seemed helpless. The only way I could lighten myself was to vent my feelings. I continued my conversation and asked him about one Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Mohan, whom I knew very well and who had been transferred to the Electricity Board a couple of years ago. This was a casual ranting more to divert myself from the chaos going on in my mind. I did not know this ranting was precursor to divine intervention at its best. To my joy and surprise, the peon told me that Mr. Mohan was promoted just the earlier week as Joint Commissioner of Labour and was sitting on the sixth floor in the same building .My cup of joy overflowed and I went to the sixth floor.

Mr. Mohan was a very efficient officer, handsome, rotund and full of energy. He had the uncanny knack of resolving labour issues by offering win - win solutions. He was delighted seeing me since we had excellent relations. He asked me what the issue was, probably seeing some worrisome wrinkles on my forehead. I told him what the matter was. He talked to the officer and summoned the related papers and files. He perused the file and seeing there were no violations and discrepancies, called the officer and instructed him to drop the proceedings immediately. He, thereafter, called the Officer to his cabin and explained to him that the Company was known for its clean image and impeccable records and that it would be unfair to proceed against such a company. At the same time to ensure the dignity of his officer, he told me to ensure government officers are given the due respect and attention they deserve.

I sank into the chair and felt lighter by a few kilos. I thanked Mr. Mohan profusely and we had a hearty banter for some more time before I left. While leaving the office, I met the peon who had told me about Mr. Mohan’s promotion. I thanked him but the word he uttered still rings in my ears – “Sir, you always treat people well, and you keep coming to meet everyone here. That in itself pays”.

I informed my boss and the Directors and I received messages saying ’Good job done’. Of course! To this day, I still believe it was divine intervention. But I have to concede that maintaining impeccable records as far as Corporate Governance goes, and ensuring good interpersonal relationships always pays. 

Eena Meena Myna Mo

This post is dedicated  to our nearest and dearest Meena who left us for her heavenly abode last month. The very name given to the title is what Meena would have loved. Writing about Meena alone will be incomplete without talking about the couple together. The thought of writing this post was supported by Meena’s daughter Bhanu who provided a lot of spice to the post by narrating many of the anecdotes that follow.

To verbatim quote Bhanu, this is what she said “My mother was a noble soul, calm and composed. I have never seen her getting worked up under any circumstances. She was a guiding force to all our relatives and they feel it is more their loss than ours. I recall Emerson who had rightly said "What is home without a mother? Mothers really have a special place in our hearts. When I think of Amma, I remember her witty, spontaneous one liners which she had for every situation.”.

 Meena and Rajappa Athimber were a lovely couple loved and admired by one and all. There are a lot of fond memories about both of them and an attempt is made to capture some of them for the sake of posterity. Meena, as we used to call her was extremely loving, affable, caring and a jovial lady. Can’t think of a dull moment with her. She regaled us with her anecdotes, puns and ‘ín the moment” humour. She had us all in splits of laughter all the time and we literally laughed our bellies out. One never knew when one would be the butt of her jokes but these were always simple and matter of fact. As a human being, she was a great host and this home had a lot of visitors. She was the cynosure of all eyes in all family get together, and people literally swarmed her for the light hearted humour. Like Reba McEntire had said “”To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone”. She had all the three in ample measure.

Meena and Athimber lived in Mylapore, Chennai. I can recall the days I spent with them when I was in the South of India for seven and half years. There was no occasion when I lost an opportunity to visit them at their home in Chennai. A lot of times I have stayed over and spend time discussing various things with this wonderful couple. Many a time, I went unannounced just to surprise them but the hospitality was always the same. Welcomed with smiles all over their faces and making me comfortable is something I specifically remember. Meena, whatever time I landed, would prepare steaming hot food and serve this with total love and affection. One does not get these in restaurants nowadays whatever the cost you pay. One could see the joy overflowing in the couple when relatives and friends visited them. Then there would be tons of anecdotes and stories about what they had seen, observed and experienced during their various interactions with neighbours, friends, relatives, watching the TV and reading books. I often did not realise how time flies, and the three of us would be talking and laughing till the wee hours only to be reminded by Meena that I have to attend office the next day. She would quip in saying that my Athimber was a retired guy whereas I was employed. She would also add light heartedly that it was difficult to get away from her husband’s discussions easily because he would catch your shirt button and latch on to you. And the only way out was to abandon one’s shirt. Anecdotes galore and I will deal with some of them.

Most poignant one was about their honeymoon to Elephanta Caves. Honeymoon as understood in common parlance is ‘quiet time’ for the couple. It was not so in the nineteen fifties. The whole family went with the couple. Meena used to say that whenever both of them decided to have a quieter moment between themselves, the children ran after them and parked themselves with the couple. So much for honey mooning with your husband along with the sisters, cousins and grandfather. Yet there was joy and happiness in the family togetherness.

 Meena, 19 years old, lost her ring. After a frantic search, it was decided to lodge a police complaint. The grandfather, being the eldest in the honeymoon group complained to the police saying “My little child has lost her ring”. When asked for the age of the child, the policeman was bemused that the “child” was nineteen years old, six feet tall and married. A doting grandfather indeed!

Meena had other interesting incidents to share with us. This was when she was a teenager. She along with her sister, father and mother had decided on a long vacation to Lonavala,. Her father, Sundaram, suffered a severe asthmatic attack at the location and told his wife, “Chelamma, I am unable to bear this, I think I will go”. Chelamma Paatti (mother) was supposed to have replied "All of us can go tomorrow", not really realizing that he was talking about his life going away because of the attack. This was followed by a hearty laugh, with the father also joining the fun. An innocent and loving soul was she, Chelamma, the best in our family.

At Chennai, most of the neighbours in their building would leave their keys at Meena’s house whenever they went out. Meena, one day, remarked to her husband "Everybody leaves the keys with us because we are the “key” people in this building”. 

Yet another day, while watching a programme on SUN TV, she had remarked “ For her son in law, Birlan,  life is all about SUN in his life ie SUN TV and SON, Ajay..

When her niece from Delhi  had come to visit Meena, the niece had remarked that the bathroom was wet and that she required to mop the floor. Meena in her usual lighter vein replied in Hindi " Maaf Kijiye, par  zaroor mop kijiye." So much for play on words.

All of us in our family loved and respected Meena and Athimber very much. A lovely adorable and loving couple just made for each other. Both of them are not with us but they are deeply engraved in our hearts forever. I sometimes ask myself wistfully “Will humour be the same again in our family?” The answer is begging the question. 

To conclude, I again quote what Bhanu mentioned "A day without laughter is a day wasted. My mother truly believed in this saying”.

Miss you Meena and Athimber. May your soul  RIP.

What and Who Stops YOU?

During the course of appraisal discussions that Krish had with Ram, he had understood Ram’s problem.  Krish tried a lot to motivate Ram in various ways, but Ram would’nt budge an inch. After quite a lot of discussions and exploration, Krish understood that Ram had immense abilities but low willingness. When Ram was given new responsibilities or was told to take up new initiatives, something was amiss. That indeed was the million dollar question. Krish was quite clear there was a solution and that he had to act on this.

Krish spoke to a senior credentialed coach and he was assigned to Ram so that through a process of exploration and questioning, Ram would appreciate what came his way. After several intense coaching sessions, Ram came to the appreciation of the fact that he was stopping himself from acting on ideas, offering decisions, and taking the necessary risks for implementation. However, this was still not the final solution. And something had to be necessarily done to provide a breakthrough to Ram. The senior coach too was looking for a breakthrough till he chanced to read an article by Madeleine Blanchard. What the coach read hit the coach hard - a real whack on the head. The article was a story narrated by Sheryl Sandberg of on one of her Lean In Videos. In her role as COO at Facebook, Sheryl was faced with a big decision. She looked to CEO Mark Zuckerberg for input – but instead of giving her his opinion, or even an answer —he asked her, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” She was thunderstruck.

The same happened to the coach. He thought it was a powerful coaching question. In his next meeting, he tossed the very same question after initially prodding Ram for a while. Ram scratched his head for a moment but this time with a gleam in his eyes. Ram thought for a while and was seemingly talking to his inner self getting present to what was happening with him all these years. It was the fear of failure, the fear of not looking good if he made mistakes, and the fear of inadequacy that was stopping him. Ram had realized that he was the one committing suicide by his surrender to fear. For Ram this question was a life transforming one. It made him understand that he had to cross the limits he had laid for himself.

Is there a lesson for any of us?

Humour saves the day

All of us go through trying times and sometimes reach a deadlock. My personal learning has been that lightening the situation, thinking on your feet and making  interesting and humorous  conversations help.

I remember a few anecdotes and thought I will pen some of them.

I was interviewing a candidate for the post of ‘ Sales Manager’. My colleague and I were in the panel. After the interview finished, there were discussions with respect to the suitability of the candidate. I was of the opinion that the candidate did not answer many of the relevant questions on the subject of Sales and Marketing and hence was unsuitable. However, my colleague had a different point of view. Heated discussions ensued between both of us, and my colleague more often than not loved  to have the last word. Since the right candidate had to be recruited, I asked my colleague for three reasons that he feels that the candidate should be considered. My colleague replied saying that the candidate was good, nice and with a smiling disposition. Intrigued by this, I asked him an innocuous question “ Are you looking for a Manager or a son in law?

This question eased the situation and settled the issue and both of us were laughing our guts out.

At one of our plants, there were negotiations going on with respect to certain facilities to be provided to security personnel. The rationale for these benefits being given was not acceptable to the management  and the situation had reached an impasse with union ready to walk out. The union submitted that security personnel were hard working and sincere and hence their demand. At this juncture, I informed them about an incident that I remembered. I told them that it so happened in a company that a security guard was found drunk during the night shift and when questioned, the union representative replied saying ‘Jane do na Saab, socho na security bahut tight tha’. This diffused the situation and all of us started laughing.

One day morning I left my house in a huff for office, slightly angry with my wife. It is she who ensures on a daily basis that my pen, wallet, handkerchief and my belt are all kept in place for me. After I reached office, she called me and told me ‘Ensure that your pants don’t come down.” I then realized I had forgotten to wear my belt. Both of us had a hearty laugh. This ensured my anger disappeared.

Simple and small, but they say it all. Such humorous conversations cheer all of us and saves our day.

Post Retirement Blues

I have been meaning to write for a long time and be a part of the blogosphere. Somehow for reasons known and unknown I have not written for quite some time. I had started my blog in 2007 immediately after my father’s death, and today being his death anniversary, I decided it is the most appropriate time for a new beginning.

Well wishers have been calling me post retirement on 30^th March, 2015 and asking a lot of questions like how do I pass my time, whether I am feeling bored, whether I have taken up new assignments, and the like. Such things have been consuming my thoughts for sometime.

Bang on, last fifteen days has been amazing. I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have done things at my own pace, choosing to be lazy when I feel like. I have chosen not to do things that are monotonous and boring, though life does not always provide that.  I am calling the shots or so do I think.

Just taking life as it comes. Sometimes meaningfully, sometimes God knows what. Is it necessary for everything that is done to have a meaning and purpose or should everything have a defined objective to be achieved at the end?  These are questions that have  come up. No answers and utter confusion. Meaning/ purpose, means/ends and objectives/outcomes have been a part of corporate life. All these once again, sometimes I shudder to think. Or is it go by what the heart dictates, go with the flow and live every moment?

Questions to what am I doing have been answered with two words ”Meaningful unemployment”. A friend of mine remarked it is definitelyt better than “Meaningless Employment”. So, post retirement, the days have started with some yoga and walk. And thereafter, the tongue tingling south indian filter coffee that my wife prepares is devoured. Times of India, Mumbai Mirror, Bombay Times (wonder how  it has retained its name without a fuss for so long though Shoba De and Nana Chudasma had to face flak) and the Economic Times ensure it is 10 am. Thus, one has enough ammunition and garbage for discussions. The wife till now has patiently listened to my chattering

Breakfast, bath followed by prayers to the Almighty, some reading and writing and internet browsing prepares one mentally for that well deserved lunch around 130 pm. Listening to music, a movie selected without much ado and that beautiful afternoon siesta makes it 430 pm. Waking up but not getting up is a choice one can exercise to make it 5 pm. My daughter and my son have had their due share of contributions through their sharing of jokes and anecdotes to ensure that I have a ball.

A steaming hot tea with snacks which can range from biscuits to delicious dosas, idlis and pakoras (depending on how happy one has kept the missus) descend. The usual topics about reduction in weight, what Obama and Modi should have done, and how the world has got fast paced get discussed animatedly. Its usually 630 pm by then.

Having a good social circle helps and either one descends on other people’s houses or their coming over forms part of the evening. Of course! people have come home at all times and it has been fun except when someone distastefully comes during siesta time. The missus also ensures some house hold chores for the evening threatening that food may not be available if it is assumed things in this world come free. Adding icing to the cake has been the IPL at 8 pm. IPL can easily take you to bed time say 1130 pm and that too with memories of the scantily dressed cheer girls.

 If one is both a cricket and football fan, then literally one can be terribly busy.  TV shows, cricket and football matches and Arnab type shows can fill the day so much that one can be far more engaged that one is professionally. Wonder whether cricket in its various forms have been invented for the retired.

What more can one expect of a retired life when the whole universe in various forms is conspiring for you. Yes, it has been fun.  And  believe you me, I am gonna make the rest of my life the best of my life.