I am a refugee! No, I WAS a refugee, not anymore.

VK conducting soft skill training sessions
Mr. Kashyap (known as VK amongst his family and
friends) says, “I was born on April 5, 1941, in Lahore, now in Pakistan
into a well-to-do family. However, because of the political upheaval and like
millions of others, we had to move to India, leaving everything behind, nothing
with us, bar the clothes on our persons and maybe a few more”.
He spent later years of his childhood in Delhi
completed his education, got married, had a wonderful work-life, and is now
enjoying his active post-retirement years. Despite his health challenges, VK
has always stayed positive. He recalls, “In 1987, I suffered from a massive
duodenal ulcer bleed but was back to work in ten days. I am a cardiac patient
and have three stents implanted in my heart. A few years back, I also got
operated for vocal cord cancer and underwent radiotherapy for seven weeks.
However, I have always rebounded back to my normal working very quickly. Today,
despite various restrictions, I lead a healthy and happy life.”

VK’s special pasta
Throughout his life, VK kept his learning curve
improved. He learned computer skills at the age of 55, enrolled himself for a
course in Medical transcription at 65, and another ten years down the lane, he
became a certified Soft Skill trainer and since then, conducts his classes.
Now, at the age of 78, he is still open to learning new things. Currently, he also
volunteers with Magic Bus, an NGO, where he trains underprivileged students in
soft skills to help them find suitable jobs. Besides this, he is an avid writer
and is also passionate about cooking different cuisines.
AllForSRS asked our beloved senior to share his thoughts on ageing. His beautiful expression….
WHY
WORRY!

Why Worry?- VK
If
you have crossed sixty – five,
Come
to second phase of your life,
Why
worry!
You
are more experienced today,
Than
yesterday,
Why
worry!
If
to an interesting place you haven’t been,
There
was an interesting event, you haven’t seen,
Why
worry!
If,
because of your busy schedule,
You
could not enjoy an interlude,
Why
worry!
Now,
you will get all the time,
To
catch that missing chime,
On
your life clock,
Just
decide, you are going to rock!
Since
you have the time,
You
will go for that climb,
Holding
hands with your partner, which you had not done, because of the grind!
This
is the time to see that sunrise,
You
to feel the warmth, the glow, to your surprise,
Enjoy
that experience sublime!
Relax
and indulge in your hobby, you always wanted to do,
Write
or paint or play the flute,
Catch
up and indulge in all that’s waiting to be done in you!
You
have lived for others, now live for yourself,
God
has given you a wonderful life, why leave it on the shelf,
Time
for you to find yourself and let your self-esteem swell,
I
can go on with so many reasons for you to feel happy, on the past do not dwell!
You
have lived a wonderful life and lived it to the brim,
Don’t
think of the negatives and make it grim,
Time
to make gravy for the curry, (for your life)
For
you to enjoy it in a lingering way, not in a hurry,
So
– Why worry!
-By Virendra Nath Kashyap