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Food for Thought |
| A few evergreen men inspired
food columnist Rashmi Uday Singh to follow her heart |
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Ihad qualified as a journalist but took
the civil service examinations and joined the Income Tax
department. I worked there for 13 years and went on to
become a Deputy Commissioner. However, my love for writing
remained intact and I continued to contribute to numerous
publications.
It was one such article, written in the '80s, that proved
to be the turning point in my life. The article titled
'The Young Ones' was about men like JRD Tata, M.F. Hussain,
Rusy Karanjia and Dev Anand, who had managed to retain
the vigour of youth well past their prime. While Dev Saab,
was in his 60s at that time, JRD was 86. My article was
meant to explore how these super achievers still managed
to pack more wallop than a bone-dry martini.
Before I went to interview them, I found myself speculating
about their secret - kundalini yoga? younger women? sprouts
and wheat grass? calisthenics or some esoteric rituals?
The interviews were to reveal otherwise though. I found
a common thread
running through their success stories. "My work keeps
me plugged to life," explained JRD. "Meaningful
work" seemed to be the fountain of his youth.
All my interviewees, I found, had been through illness,
calamities, problems and failures, but bounced back stronger
and more vigorous than ever. "You must accept problems
with open arms, for wrapped inside them is an opportunity,"
revealed Rusy Karanjia. I also understood why Dev Anand
is called the Evergreen Hero. His powerful mind, it seemed,
knew no chronological age and was as young as he wanted
it to be. So his body had no choice but to respond with
youthful vigour. Same goes for M.F Hussain.
These super achievers had a spring in their step and a
buoyancy in their attitude which was far youthful than
mine. And I was only in my 30s at that time.
The interviews left a deep imprint on my mind and long
after it appeared in print, I kept reflecting on what
I had learnt from the assignment.
It was a couple of years later that the message really
hit home. I suddenly woke up one fine morning and thought,
"By the time Mozart was my age, he was dead. What
have I done so far?" I decided to resign from my
job. Though my boss was appalled and told me not to rush
with my decision, my mind was made up. I wanted to do
what I enjoyed most and live my life the way 'The Young
Ones' had.
So you can say that the article enabled me to hear my
inner voice. Most importantly it made me change my attitude,
my life and my course of work. And here I am today doing
what I enjoy most. At the moment, I am thoroughly occupied
writing about food (The Good Food Guides), running my
food shop (The Good Food Gallerie), and a cooking school
(Good Food Academy), and having a whale of a time!
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