Teacher and Social Activist Durga Ram Muwal, popularly known as 'Robinhood', addresses the Gyan Manch audience on the occasion of Senior Citizens Day.

He reflects on the invaluable role of senior citizens in society, describing them not as ordinary individuals but as treasures of wisdom and knowledge, whose experiences and insights enrich society.

He recounts significant moments from history, including the British rule period and the eras of kings before that. He points out that senior citizens played a pivotal role in securing freedom for the general masses from both the monarchs and the colonial rulers. According to him, many revolutionaries were senior citizens, and their experiences continue to serve as valuable examples for individuals today. Learning from them, he stresses, is something that must be embraced by all of us.

Social Activist Muwal also mentions that Bhagat Singh, though martyred at a very young age, should be considered as a senior citizen for today’s generation. From his life, one can learn and emulate the remarkable courage he showed facing death with a smile for the sake of the nation’s freedom.

Nowadays, many young people live in entirely different spheres and often ignore the seniors at home, assuming they don’t understand modern ideas or are stuck in old ways of thinking. Addressing such youth, Teacher Durga Ram Muwal emphasizes that the experience of the seniors can greatly influence the youth’s future. Learning from this wisdom can help create balance in their lives and guide them in the right direction.

He stresses that all seniors in a family deserve respect, whether they are uncles, aunts, or grandparents. He illustrates this with the saying,

“जैसा दोगे वैसा ही आपको मिलेगा ”

(As you give, so shall you receive).

According to him, senior citizens possess immense knowledge and skills, which would take the younger generation a long time to fully understand and appreciate.

Changemaker Durga Ram Muwal refers to the saying,

“आदमी अनुभव से ज्यादा ठोकर खा कर सीखता है।”

(A person learns more from mistakes than experience).

However, he points out that with senior citizens around, one doesn’t have to stumble; instead, they can learn from their wisdom, shaping a brighter future and benefiting from their experiences. The knowledge held by senior citizens is indeed invaluable, perfectly reflecting the saying, “Old is Gold.”

If individuals begin to absorb the experiences and knowledge of seniors, they won’t have to bow or submit to others. He adds that those who respect their parents and seek their blessings gain a strength and confidence that ensures they never have to bow before anyone else.

‘Robinhood’ Durga Ram Muwal shares his personal experiences of interacting with senior citizens and retired individuals. He mentions that with some, he has developed such a strong bond that they no longer consider themselves elderly, yet the wisdom and experiences they share have been immensely valuable for his work. Reflecting on his younger days, he remembers interacting with elders at home and in the neighborhood, who, though often less formally educated, would guide him, like asking him to read aloud from the newspaper, fostering his learning and understanding.

Every day, around 10 to 15 elderly people would wait for him to come out and read the newspaper for them. He shares that while he would read the news, the comments and discussions that followed became a valuable learning experience for him. He points out that nowadays, people often feel disheartened by the negative comments on their social media posts or status updates. However, if similar feedback comes from elderly individuals, it should be considered thoughtfully, as it often carries wisdom and can provide meaningful insights or guidance.

There’s a saying that grandparents love their grandchildren even more than their own children, much like how interest is often valued more than the principal amount. He describes the upcoming generation as this “interest” and emphasizes that if they are nurtured well and properly introduced to the elderly at home or in the neighborhood, and guided with culture and discipline, they will grow up resilient and steadfast, never straying from the right path.

Developing respect for elders should be a core value in every family. Durga Ram Muwal emphasizes the importance of creating a friendly and respectful environment at home. He clarifies that his advice is not just about interacting with parents, but also encouraging children and the youth to engage with elderly individuals at home or in the neighborhood, people who have accumulated significant life experience.

To the youth, he stresses that having elderly members at home is a great fortune, as they are a treasure of knowledge and experience that should never be neglected. He further explains that when parents respect their own elders, their children are more likely to follow the same example, cultivating a culture of respect for grandparents and senior citizens. This, he notes, is only possible when parents actively teach their children the value of honoring elders.

He observes that when young children develop a strong bond with their grandparents, they often feel deeply connected to them and may not long for their parents as intensely, due to the warmth and friendship they receive from the elders. He has noticed that children who grow up with love and guidance from their grandparents tend to remain disciplined. While he does not claim this applies to everyone, his observations suggest that most such children maintain a sense of discipline and responsibility.

Social Worker Durga Ram Muwal emphasizes that Senior Citizens Day should ideally be celebrated throughout the year, rather than limiting it to a single day. He urges everyone to respect their ancestors and elderly, noting that this respect is a key factor in achieving life goals and objectives.

He further states that if people honor the elderly, who are like polished diamonds, they can achieve their dreams more easily by learning from the elders’ experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Once again, he strongly encourages the youth to value and respect their elders, as this is a principle that can lead them to greater heights in life.