A good time to retire?

was what took everybody unawares. Resignations in positions of power are very rare in today’s world.

In a frail voice, reading from a prepared text, the leader of over one billion Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world by announcing he will stand down at the end of this month because he is too old and frail to cope with the demands of his ministry. After only 7 years in the job, the 85-year-old Pontiff became the first pope to stand down since the Middle Ages. Benedict told all that he had noticed his strength deteriorating over recent months and felt that he was no longer suited “to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry”.

While the idea of an 85-year-old retiring should not be a surprise to anyone, that someone in this position of power and influence has done so

Is there a good time for someone to leave public life and make room for fresh blood and ideas? The answer is definitely not with India’s politicians. Age does not make them weary or tired; rather the lure of holding on to their positions keeps them glued to their jobs. The Indian cabinet ministers are in their 60s and 70s, the average age being 65 years.

The oldest of them all is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will be 81 this year; the youngest is 48-year-old Ajay Maken, a new entrant in the top echelons of Indian politics. This is ironical for a young nation such as India, with almost 75 per cent of its billion plus population below 40 years. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the disconnect between a large section of the Indian population and the politicians. The population is young with over half below the age of 25, the ruling elite has only 1 out of 33 ministers below the age of 50. A political party which can set mandatory retirement options for its politicians could be popular in the next elections. However, with the current Congress party discounting this option, this is a dream which will not be coming true any time soon. Even the strongest challenger to Congress at the moment, Narendra Modi is himself 62.

Meanwhile, other countries have done well with their youthful leaders. Barack Obama became the president of the United States at 47, United Kingdom’s Prime Minister is 46 years of age and looking even inwards Prime Minister Gillard is 52. While their politics may be different (and their public standing), all of them are highly articulate and have reached out to the younger generation in their respective countries. That spark has unfortunately not been ignited in India. Perhaps there will be a time in Indian politics when the incumbents make way for the younger generation and step aside for them gracefully. They may show more faith in their younger colleagues and a willingness to take a risk in them. And maybe, pigs will fly at the same time.

SPIRITUAL Global Organisation for Divinity

Gopa Kuteeram Classes

Sun 24 Feb Free spiritual educational classes for children aged 4-12 years on the 4th Sunday of every month between 4 - 5.30 pm at the Crestwood Community Centre, Crestwood Drive, Baulkham Hills. Designed to impart knowledge of ancient Hindu religion, culture and to instill universal values through the teaching of slokas, bhajans, stories from Puranas and conducting creative and interactive sessions and activities.

Details contact Jayashree - 02 9620 4676 or email gopakuteeram@ godivinity.org.au

New class in Liverpool from 2013, contact Deepak Vinod0422 127 956

Chinmaya Mission Australia activities

Mon 25 Feb – Sat 2 Mar 7:309pm Public talks on “The Supreme Knowledge, The Supreme Secret”, Free talk on the 9th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita by Br Gopal Chaitanya, one of the disciples of the current Master of Vedanta H.H. Swami Tejomayananda. This chapter contains some of Sri Krishna’s powerful instructions on ways of achieving freedom from worry, despair, fear and guilt.

Details Mahal 02 9482 7178. For info on Vedanta, Bhagavad Geeta and devotional classes, Br Gopal Chaitanya on 02 8850 7400 or email syd.info@chinmaya.com.au

Brahma Kumaris Mahashivratri Sat 23 Feb Public program in Hindi on the significance of Mahashivratri. Wentworthville Community Centre, 2 Lane Street Wentworthville.

Details BK Asha on 0435 196 146 or BK Monika on 0430 403 857

Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW activities

Shivaratri celebration

Sun 10 Mar 10.30am to 12 noon

Program: Spiritual music, Hari Om Ramakrishna chant, silent meditation, group chanting of ‘Om’ 108 times, 2 speeches including one by Pravrajika Gayatriprana (Senior nun of Ramakrishna

Order). Offering and distribution of sweets and savouries.

Venue: Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon. Details 9745 4320 or email: admin. saradavedanta@bigpond.com

Website: www.saradavedanta.org

Spiritual leader Dr. Pranav Pandya’s Satsang tour

20-24 March The All World Gayatri Pariwar is organising a satsang tour of Sydney of its director and head, Dr. Pranav Pandya. Details Neeraj Ram 0405 777 539.

ARTS

Sydney Film Fest’s Travelling Films Festival

Mar 8-10 Two-day festival with five feature films and three shorts from six countries, including Valley of Saints, a film set on Dal Lake in strife-torn Kashmir. It tells the story of an unlikely love while raising important environmental issues. Program also includes authentic Movie & Meal events and a short film program and workshop presented by Blackfella Films. Venue: Casula Powerhouse Theatre, 1 Casula Powerhouse