Seniors push the limits to re-discover youth

Adventure sport, computer training and dancing, it''s spring again in the autumn of their lives
Yeh dil maange more... could be the perfect catch-line that suits these iron-willed dada-dadis and their funfilled lives. Wrinkling skin, greying hair and faltering strength don''t count in their future, which only seems to be filled with frolic and adventure.With an increasing number of senior citizens in Pune taking to ''youth'' activities, like para-gliding, riverrafting, hi-tech computer education and dance courses, one can only wonder if they have drunk from the fountain of life.
Shankarrao Apte began his tryst with adventure sport when he was 58. Shankarrao has tried hiking, rock-climbing and even canoeing in Nepal. Turning 76 this year, he is raring to go on a new adventure to Tibet. "I started late, but realised early, that fitness and physical activity are complimentary," says he, "I want to continue till my body allows me to do so." The fact that he suffered a mild stroke while on one of his expeditions doesn''t deter him at all.
Manisha Kale didn''t know what a computer really was, till about a year ago. Today she is the only computer literate woman in her mahila mandal. "My granddaughter Priya is in touch with me from Connecticut, thanks to the computer," gushes Manisha, while opening her email account.
Sangeeta Sarpal, manager of a computer training institute, says, "We get a lot of senior citizens who want to get acquainted with the internet, because their children are studying or residing abroad."
The outdoors and computer training apart, seniors with a taste for the arts are not to be left out.
Sushila Kamat, 55, has just joined a Bharatnatyam course and wants to continue learning dance for as long as she can stand. "It was a preposterous concept for my parents to let me learn dance. That''s why I have now joined the course with my five-yearold grand-child, Sameera." After overcoming the initial embarrassment, she is comfortable now. "In fact, the younger students encourage me and treat me like their real aunt," says Sushila.
Mechanical engineer Dilip Ranade, 59, and his wife Anita, 50, love adventure tours. "In my 20s, I used to enjoy para-gliding in Manali," Dilip grins. After his voluntary retirement, he took Anita on a para-gliding tour. "I was very nervous and tense before I took the leap," remembers Anita, "But the feeling of being afloat in the air was heavenly."
Ravi and Ragini Gupta, another senior couple, discovered river rafting on their ''second honeymoon'' last year in Hrishikesh. "We intended to go as pilgrims of adventure to the holy place," smiles Ragini, "Our instructors asked us why we wanted to take a risk .We told them to neglect our greying hair and look at our spirit."
Anita Malik, owner of the Temple Pilot Paragliding Club in Pune says, "The maturity of seniors helps them cope with these risky adventures and re-discover the thrills of life."
sharvari.joshi@timesgroup.com