What has age got to do with your performance… Does it matter?
In general, the retirement age in most of the profession around the world is around 60 years. It was believed that by the time by one turns 60, mental faculties want to ease off. But is this true in present-age?
However, age criteria do not apply to Politicians. Some do step down due to a Nation’s constitution, some have already attained the highest office and retire as early as Barack Hussein Obama. One finds that such restraints as a waste of talent. It must be mentioned here that Obama, should he decide to run again as President, can do so.
Bernie Sanders, 75 years, lost out to Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Party Candidate for the President of the United States in 2016. If he had won the nomination, it could have been a much closer contest for the US Presidency and he might have become the oldest serving President. Though, Donald Trump is seen as oldest serving US President at 70+ years.
It has been proved to the world, that old age and maturity have delivered performance with results.
There is no substitute for hard work… you can perform and stay in action if your physical ability permits
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was the PM of England at the wartime and again up to 1955, till the age of 81.
A very interesting story of post World War II was that of the Chancellor of West Germany, Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer who became the Chancellor in 1949. He was the Chancellor until 1963 at 87 years, was dubbed “Der Alte” (“the elder”). He was “the oldest statesman ever to function in the elected office. He challenged his age by his intense work habits and his uncanny political instinct. He displayed a strong dedication to a broad vision of Democracy and Anti-Communism A shrewd politician. Statesman Adenauer was deeply committed to a Western-oriented Foreign Policy and restoring the position of West Germany on the world stage. He worked to restore the Economy from the destruction of World War II to a central position in Europe, presiding over the German’s Economy growth.
In India when the first Non-Congress government was formed in 1977, it was Morarji Desai, who was elected to lead the Nation as PM at the age of 81. His performance was immense in the short span of 2.5 years that he was in power. If he had not exited due to internal party politics, India could have seen major changes.
Jyoti Basu was the Chief Minister of West Bengal up to the age of 86.
In case, age is still the criteria then the ideal age to retire for all, including Politicians is 65 years!
There is no substitute for hard work… you can perform and stay in action if your physical ability permits. however, in a Democracy, politicians cannot retire at the age of 65 years, as there are only a few leaders, who in spite being old are working rigorously to enlighten the Nation. They put young leaders to shame with their sheer motivation, dedication and drive to succeed.
Whatever be the age, at the end of the day what matters are Physical Fitness, Mental Alertness and Endurance!!!
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
3 decade of work experience in International MNC.
Social Media & Political Analyst
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Dear Sir, Is it an indirect message to Modi to induct Dr Subramanian swami into the cabinet? BTW if Swami is fit to be a MP why can’t he be a minister? Had he been inducted into the cabinet and given the Finance portfolio we would not have seen this scenerio. Note Bandi and GST would have been more organized and there would not have been any fear for 2019. It could have been a smooth sail