Rendezvous with the Romeos

It was one of those times where you can just stare off into the distance and be content with doing absolutely nothing, because you knew that at that exact moment you were completely happy and everything was perfect. Sharing those fabulous evenings are those twenty five senior citizens who meet at the Vengal Rao park and talk about the little things in life that seem to catch the eye and the troubled times that cross their path and work seriously towards finding a solution.

Their feet have tested the roughest of roads, and their eyes seen the dance of life. They may no longer have the same strength, but their spirit clearly remains high. Aged 60 to 85, the senior citizens have been meeting at this place in the evenings ever since the park was established. And from the past 15 years these people have been joining each other in morning walks at the Raj Bhavan road. Over the years they have formed one congenial family.

Raghunath Rao says there has been a lot of awareness in health of late and it is such a pleasant sight to see everyone taking a brisk walk. Narasimha Rao brings the BP meter, Glucose Meter and adds that they have been conducting regular health camps for the walkathons. All the retired government employees donning white t-shirts and pea caps, walked to promote inter-generational bonding, bridging the gap between the old and the young on Oct 1st to mark International Day of Older Persons.

How many people will remember and go through the trouble to file a written application every year? A diligent elderly man writes seriously on a piece of paper, a letter to the Municipal Corporation complaining about the dumping of garbage on the approach to the park while another laments that the Lok Ayukta has forgotten it’s duty.

Prabhakar, Narsimham, Prasad opine that this is the best park in the vicinity and is very happy with the greenery and maintenance. But what do all of them have in common? Rama Rao Chowdary says we all gossip but the gossip is more spiritual. But the golden rule is that we are open to any discussion but once there is an argument and things heat up we decide to dump the topic there. Ultimately the one and a half hour we spend has to be memorable.

Mohan Rao quips, “My wife calls us Romeos:.Retired Old Men Eating Out. She gets worried if I miss out a single day. We host breakfast, lunches, dinners in turns and one of our companions owns a farm house, so we unwind there too. There is an octogenarian too, Subba Rao is 85 but feels he realizes it only when reminded. He says, “This group gives a prize when you reach 80, wonder who is following me!”

There is no answer. Topics discussed are vast from movie reviews to stocks, civic condition, politics and yes, a retired officer adds, that the Mumbai crowd over reacted and the traffic jam was uncalled for when Dhoni’s team returned. “I have played cricket at a higher level, I think they should give importance to other sports as well.” Film Producer Doraswamy Raju who made Annamaiyya is one amongst the group. He is at the moment winding up his next project on Vengamamba for TTD Bhakti Channel.

The park has instrumental music and women dominate the walking sessions in the mornings. Newcomer to the group Prabhakar Rao says there is membership of 100rs to join the group.  Just step in at 5 at this park and you will not miss seeing this group have a blast!.