We had a taxi ride from Park Plaza to the airport, which was almost an hour-and-a-half ride. During that time, I had a conversation with the driver, who turned out to be quite an intriguing man. He was 65 years old and driving a car he had purchased, diligently paying the EMIs. What was truly remarkable was that he worked 14–15 hours a day. He revealed that he lost his wife to diabetes complications a year and a half ago when her insulin stopped working. Despite this personal loss, he chose to work.
He has two sons and grandchildren, but still prefers to continue working. His goal is to make 4,000 to 5,000 rupees a day. He earns 3,000 to 4,000 rupees daily; after expenses, this is sufficient for his EMI and savings. He works six days a week and takes Sundays off.
What stood out was his extensive knowledge. He could answer questions about the terminals accurately, including the travel time to each one, especially the significant difference between T2 and T3. He was aware of the consequences of signal malfunctions, who gets implicated, the police's level of vigilance, and which cameras are operational. His insights into the economics of his business and his income were impressive. All in all, he was quite an engaging character.
But that's not the main point. The key takeaway here is that he is 65 years old. In India, people often retire at 60, whether it is economically viable or due to job requirements. This driver had a job until he was 60 and chose to continue working post-retirement. Globally, many struggle to find jobs and a sense of purpose. Yet, this driver's approach to life was refreshingly simple.
He expressed a need to stay busy, to be physically and mentally active, and to interact with people. "I need to be busy, I need people, and I want to work," was his straightforward mantra. This makes us ask: How often do we stop to think about the meaning of our work and its impact on our lives?
Some might argue that there's a lack of work-life balance in working 14–15 hours daily; it might even seem excessive. However, for him, work is life. It provides the emotional, physical, and mental balance he desires. It's a thought-provoking approach that challenges conventional notions of work and balance.
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