By C C Pung J.P
Lions Club of KK Host in the (2024/2025) under president Dr Devadas Ramankutty (centre, seated).
C C Pung (standing 3rd left) was nominated as a director after many years in idle wilderness and 25+ years since he served as the president.
Whoosh … Our Lion club (KK Host) is marking its 60th year.
Yours truly has been a part of it since 1987.
Unlike making adjustments as I grow old, I discover that a Lions Club doesn’t adjust as easily.
The paradox is that while the oldies carry the club’s image and personality, the passage of time render them obsolete.
The ‘past’ has a habit hanging around outlining it’s welcome.
The aura of the old tend also to inhibit younger people from joining the club.
Even when they do join, they often display a level of reverence to the long time members to a degree that curtails their creativity and enthusiasm.
Getting old and old people are a nuisance, don’t you think?
Even when an old fella is just happy sitting through meetings and be seen to be ‘still interested’ albeit silently, his methods and approach to issues still influence.
Is resignation a solution?
The thing about age and ageing is that you can’t help acknowledging it and talking about it or it’s effects.
But the advice out there is just to live the old age and not dwell on it.
I recall a joke by legendary comedian George Burns (did he live to 100?).
About doctor’s advice about his fondness for cigar smoking. Burns’ one-liner response was “Well, the doctor died and I’m still here”.
Are the people who touted their ‘secreys’ to longevity still living?
Japan South Korea, Singapore are among a growing list of countries with a rising % of their population 65 and older.
I thought we just grow old and go away.
But no, aged population is main national agenda.
So, how should ageing Lions be looked at? Are we a resource or residue?
