A Gen Z writer who has always valued rest, leisure and balance says her 86-year-old grandfather’s work ethic has made her rethink ambition, purpose and growing older.
A general physician in North India, he has refused to retire after 60 years of practice. Every morning he wakes at the same time, dresses immaculately and heads to his private clinic. Barring illness and rare travel, he has never taken a day off, and returned to work within a week of his wife’s death last year.
My 86-Year-Old Grandfather Refuses to Retire, and He Changed How I See Work
Born in 1940 in Gonda, he was the eldest of six siblings and began practising in 1966 after completing his MBBS. He built homes for his parents, siblings, wife and children, paid for most of his siblings’ education and helped fund their weddings.
He also founded a Rotary Club chapter in his city. Known for charging less and taking time with patients, he now treats the grandchildren of his early patients. Two years ago he cut back to mornings only, though patients still come to his home in emergencies.
His three children urge him to retire, but he refuses, noting that healthier friends who retired early have died. He fears constant rest would dull his senses. Still, he has made time for holidays and family. The author says his ethic reflects respect for life and time, and she hopes to share it.
