My 103-year-old great-grandfather never says no to shrikhand-puri
Timeless life hacks from a centenarian
There are two types of readers—those who devour self-help books like a bowl of payasam, and those who prefer immersing themselves in the world of fiction. I’m the latter kind. Not because the rose-tinted life of a romance novel protagonist appeals to my inner hopeless romantic (we’ve found your next romance read here), it’s because a real wise owl already lives with me—my 103-year-old maternal great-grandfather.
Born in 1921, Vasantrao Kerur (‘retired ajja‘ as I call him) has seen the world change more often than any of us could comprehend, from scheduling black-and-white family portraits at a photo studio to being introduced to the selfie cam and exclaiming, “Aiyo, I look so old!”. It would be easy to attribute ajja’s longevity to some secret medicinal properties in the air of Bagalkot or Bijapur (now Vijayapura) in Karnataka, where he grew up. But I suspect it’s his discipline and pragmatic approach to life that has ushered him into his centenarian era.
Having lived with him in the same house for two years, I have absorbed all his wisdom like a sponge. Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned from this centenarian who still possesses the enthusiasm and curiosity of a teenager.
7 lessons I learnt from my great-grandfather
Actively feed your curiosity
Ajja was born long before the arrival of mobile phones, but today he carries his iPhone everywhere like Gen Alpha. His daily routine includes reading both the English and Marathi newspapers from start to end, and enquiring about the meaning of unfamiliar words. He is also one of those people who reads the dictionary for fun in his leisure time.
Curiosity, I’ve understood, is the only medicine your mind needs to stay active and well-oiled. Since ajja was an English and history teacher, his pedagogical disposition motivates him to stay updated with new words and developments, while I can barely keep up with Gen Z slang (what does benching even mean?). But I’m convinced that if I preserve my curiosity like him, I could win the battle of life.
Never say no to shrikhand-puri
If you know of a centenarian, you’d want to know their secret sauce to achieving longevity and good health. And I’m happy to report that it doesn’t include drinking vile juices or skipping carbs at night. Ajja’s advice is much simpler: move your body every day, take joy in eating and never say no to shrikhand-puri. As a young man, ajja used to cycle to work every day and play tennis, and even today, he walks 100 laps along the length of the house as exercise. He even enjoys eating achaar, papad and bhajji as part of his balanced meals.
Sustainability is a choice
I’ve adopted a ‘less is more’ philosophy thanks to ajja. He has taught me to value and care for what I have, whether it’s material items or resources like water. Last month, when I was keen to add buy a silver wrist watch to add to my collection, the thought of ajja using the same watch for 30 years held me back. I, too, can be satisfied with what I already have.
Ajja proudly wears the same four pastel-coloured shirts, dark contrast pants, and two pairs of an all-white pyjama set that he has owned for decades. He has mastered the art of creating a minimal capsule wardrobe and I’m taking notes.
Never settle for less in love
Ajja belongs to a generation where patriarchy was the norm and gender roles were fixed. Kitchen and household chores belonged to the women, while men were the default breadwinners. And yet, I’ve always seen this man help both his wife and daughter in the kitchen until he was 94 years old. He would cut vegetables, make aamras, patiently clean palak and methi and buy groceries for the home.
He was married to my ajji for 74 years until she passed away in 2022, and he often recounts the story of the day they met: “It was an arranged marriage, but I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. I wanted to marry only her and no one else.” Watching them be respectful and committed to each other through the years has wired my brain to never settle for anything less.
It’s okay to ask for help
The modern world glorifies oversized egos, but ajja showed me the beauty of creating your community. He once lived an independent life as the decision-maker and head of the family, but today he has adapted to living with his grandkids and great-grandkids, asking for help when needed, and allowing others to care for him without letting his ego get in the way. Hyper-independence and self-sufficiency are celebrated qualities, and even encouraged when you’re young. But by watching ajja, I’m slowly making peace with relinquishing control and allowing my family and friends to show me their love.
Don’t be a dweller
As a chronic over-thinker, anxiety aunty rarely allows me to go with the flow. But ever since ajja began to live with us, I have been learning the art of letting go. At 103, he has weathered more storms than Sinbad the Sailor. From humble beginnings, he worked relentlessly to provide for his family and achieve financial stability. He has also experienced significant personal grief, including the loss of his siblings, wife and son over the years. Despite all this, his constant refrain is, “Don’t dwell on things too much. Deal with whatever comes your way, and then move forward.” He has taught me how emotional resilience serves as an invisible barrier that protects your mind from unnecessary stress and helps you stay healthy.
Have long-term financial goals
Budgeting is a dreadful exercise that depletes the joy of living. Regardless, every month I sit with an Excel sheet and calculate my monthly expenses. Even though my heart desires nothing more than to add the new YSL Libre perfume to cart, I refrain for the sake of ‘future me’ and look to ajja for motivation. He lived a frugal life, saving every paisa from his humble teacher’s salary. Even though his pension ensures he remains financially independent, he maintains a diary of his personal finances, a lifelong practice. Perhaps sacrificing the dopamine rush from online shopping today will reward me with future abundance as well.
Throughout his life, ajja has remained unfazed in the face of adversity and has held onto his own—qualities that have carried him this far in life. I hope for a similar fate, feasting on a plate of hot kanda bhajji on my 100th birthday.
