The Centinarian


 -   P.Krishnamoorthy

 The sky was clear on that day except for patches of dark clouds and the sun was playing ‘hide and seek’ between them. The  Senior Citizens’ Centre was busy with the morning  routine.  It had nearly four hundred  senior citizens  of both the genders of varying  ages from sixty  onwards. It had also a medical facility with ‘on call’ basis besides  a doctor everyday  visiting to check  on their welfares. To escape from mundane and monotonous daily schedules,  they  often visited  religious,  historical places and  picnic locations. In short they enjoyed their lives in the Centre, except  they were missing their loved ones.

Among them Ravinder, the only person who was ninety nine years old, was affectionately called ”Ravinderji” by others.  He was a miracle and a mystery  to them as he  never had any health issues, minor or major, so far in his life. Except for reading glasses and wheel chair that he used due to  security reasons, he was absolutely hale and healthy even at that age. A strict disciplinarian in diets and after nearly 2-hour daily walking inside the complex,  physical exercises formed part of his morning schedule. After his bath he would recite the various  Sanskrit scriptures for prayer. After a long meditation and yoga  he would close the morning schedules. He was a learned scholar  and a voracious reader of  classics. He was well versed in all the hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha and others.  He was a competent conversationist in any subject of art, science and various cultures. Academically he held a Doctorate in aerodynamics and served as a senior faculty member in a leading University. He was earlier honored by foreign Universities for his various thesis and contributions.

The reverence  and  esteem of others towards ‘Ravinderji’ were remarkable.  He  was a ‘Guru’ for them for any advice or suggestion even  for their personal problems. His solutions to their problems alleviated them from many crises. His discourses in the Centre were thought provoking and convincing. He would explicate the characters of 'Rama' and 'Krishna' in the epics as they were all "fundamental to the cultural conscience of India and presented the teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory interspercing phlosophical and ethical elements". These discourses had engrossed the audiance so immensely they wanted such sessions very frequently. 


His unique exposition of ‘ truth and fulfillment in life’  would give courage  and strength  in any personal predicaments.  According to him, there would be  numerous things in life that seem to be impossible at the start; but, would become possible when one’s heart and thoughts were  pure and chaste. Every person  born on this earth had some purpose in life.  Every task done with a clear and honest intention would  certainly bring positive results.  He made simple  to understand the realm of applied philosophy. 

The doctor on his usual visit, called on him  and enquired about his welfares  When Ravinderji’s  answers  for his  queries  were  positive and encouraging, he was amazed at his cheerful and energetic appearance that were strange to his age. His cardiological reports, orthopedic findings, ECGs and other periodical medical and blood reports, bear testimony for his perfcect health as everything  was unquestionably  normal. According to the doctor, Ravinderji’s sustained perfect health and super level of energy in that age, was unprecedented in doctor’s twenty years medical experience. After his personal examination, the doctor felt very happy and confident to assure him that with the findings of various reports and his personal examination,  there was no possibility for him to get  any cardiac arrest or other age-related  ailments in the near future.  He was even prepared to challenge his diagnosis with any expert in the medical field. He wished him all fun and happiness with his daughter and grandson  on his birthday. 

After he left Ravinderji went thru the messages received on that day. One important message he was expecting from his only daughter Aarthi in the States. She had confirmed her landing in India and that they would be in the Centre for his birthday. Ravinder was excited on seeing this as he would personally meet his grandson for the first time.  The memories  of  his son-in-law  Michael Richard’s. death in car accident,  his only son Sunil’s death  in a plane crash  and his wife’s demise after protracted  illness, still haunted him and  suffered often from mental anguish and emotional distress.

The inmates were keen in celebrating his birthday lavishly. Posters and banners displaying the wordings “Ravinderji - Age cannot wither you nor steal your different capabilities - HAPPY BIRTHDAY”  were seen all over the Centre. What sort of a gift they could give him was the bone of contention among the inmates. They made arrangement with  the Centre’s  Management  for a special lunch  and dinner along with cultural programs.  According to them that day was very important as their beloved Guru completes not only  ninetynine years of age but significantly entering  a century as well.

While the whole Centre was in rejoicing mood, there was a ray of regret reflected on his face as the tragic  memories overshadowed his happiness. He had not still recovered from the grief till that day. After all his commendable  success  in his life, his remorse was, his  prolonged life was destined only to personally go thru the agony of the tragedies. They indelibly got into his mind, compelling him to offer prayers for his speedy end; but that also appeared a mirage to him. He felt the belated end was a way of punishment for any of his unintentional sins, and the destiny decided that he had to bear the cross for some more time. One could say  it was more of agony than the ecstasy of living long..

The late evening and the night were cold and the mild breeze accelerated the chill clime.  After the dinner session everyone dispersed to their respective rooms. The complex was very quiet with  all the inmates in their rooms. Ravinder returned to his room and eagerly checked his phone for any further message from Aarti.  The doctor’s assurance  that there would be no cardiac arrest or any age related ailment to him in the near future, was still echoing in  Ravinder’s ears. He was brooding over it. Contrary to doctor’s diagnosis, he was thinking as to whether he could in any way hasten his own end. With a confused mind he went to sleep.

The next morning all the inmates assembled before his room to greet him with  birthday wishes. He used to be an early riser everyday; but that day, the room was locked inside. Apparently Ravinderji had not got up and they were surprised. They knocked the door for any response. As there was no reaction for a long time, they decided to open the door with the master key from the office.  As the door was opened, they found him lying on the ground with no sign of life in him. Immediately the doctor was summoned and he confirmed that his end came sometime after midnight. Nobody heard any noise for help from his room and the cause of death was a mystery to all. Doctor was sure that he did not die due to any heart attack or brain hemorrhage or any other serious ailment. His recent medical reports undoubtedly cleared him from happening of such ailments. He was even recollected his challenge on his diagnosis. It was a big unsolved  puzzle for him. As the doctor was confused on his death and pondering over as to how the death had occurred, he saw two live electrical wires with their ends non-insulated and connected to power source near his bed. Obviously Ravinderji would have come in contact with these open wires and got electrocuted. On investigation it was found an electrician was working in his room  the previous evening and left with the wires open.

The celebration arrangement was cancelled and among the mourners Aarti and her son were there to see him lifeless. As per Ravinder’s wish, he himself hastened his death by unknowingly touched the live wires, but he got  relieved from the memories of his family  tragedies. However his last wish to see his daughter and grandson remained unfulfilled.  He was a CENTENARIAN for all, as he had entered into his 100^th year before he died.