He is an avid trekker and climbing mountains is his passion. But what sets Pune-based N K Mahajan apart from others is his age. At 92,Mahajans zest for life is awe-inspiring to those much younger. And on Sunday,when he appeared on the latest episode of Satyamev Jayate,the entire nation watched as he dismantled myths about age and living a life one wants to. After the show,his phone has been ringing almost incessantly. I have received calls from my students,ex-students and media,from across the country. It is an exhilarating experience as I do not feel old at all. I go on expeditions with my club The Pune Mountaineers. While tenth graders get tired,I dont, says Mahajan,who is known across the state for his skills in rappeling and parasailing. Asked about how he came to be featured on Aamir Khans show,he says,I was earlier featured in the Limca Book of Records for rappeling and valley crossing. The network of people from the city who join me on treks is quite large and my age has always astounded people. All major mountaineering clubs across Maharashtra know of me. That may have triggered the request from Aamir Khans team. The eleventh episode of Satyamev Jayate featured elderly people across the country who gave the present generation love and affection,but in turn received little. The programme showcased the lives of some senior citizens who have defied the odds and are living the lives they wish to. In April,the crew from the show had come to photograph and record his daily routine and stayed for over five hours. By the end of the month,he was requested to come to the studio in Andheri,Mumbai,for the shoot. Mahajan who had recently returned from his Ladakh trip explains,The crew took a lot of pictures of me reading,walking up the stairs or looking at the newspaper. Thereafter,in Andheri,Aamir Khan asked me a lot of questions about the kind of life I lived currently. For me,my work gave me immense happiness and I do not think old age is a disqualification. He also advised the audience to eat half of what they are eating,exercise three times in a day,and laugh four times. Mahajan also follows a strict sleep and exercise regimen,which he says,contributes to his sound health. For the nonagenarian,the experience of being on the show was fantastic and he wants to continue mountaineering and trekking. Doing what makes one happy,according to him,is the most important thing.
