Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
“I’m a complete Bangalorean. I’ve lived here all my life, except for a short time in the UK early in my career. That experience was important, but I knew I wanted to come back. I felt a stronger sense of purpose working in India, where the need for accessible mental health care was far greater, and where I felt I could contribute more meaningfully.
In my early years, life felt quite structured. Study, build a career, grow within the system. In academia, you know what is expected of you, and for a long time, I stayed on that path.
But when I stepped into leadership roles in my 50s, especially at NIMHANS, I began to see things differently.
The real shift came during COVID.
As Head of Department and later Director, those were some of the most demanding years of my career. There was uncertainty every single day. Patients needed care, families were anxious, and our teams were under constant pressure. We had to keep services running while also responding to something none of us had faced before.
My first instinct was to take on as much as I could myself. It came from a sense of responsibility.
But I realised very quickly that this approach was slowing things down. When everything depends on one person, the system becomes fragile. People hold back, waiting for direction.
So I made a conscious change.
I started trusting my teams more. I involved them in decisions, encouraged them to take ownership, and supported them as they stepped into bigger roles. Many of them already had the capability. They just needed the confidence that they were trusted.
Over time, that changed how the institute functioned.
Decisions were made faster. Communication improved. People became more proactive. Even in the middle of a crisis, there was a sense of steadiness. We were able to respond better, not because one person was in control, but because many people were taking responsibility.
Looking back, I think that shift came with experience.
At this stage of life, you are less focused on proving yourself and more focused on what actually works. You listen more. You trust more. And you understand that institutions are only as strong as the people who feel invested in them.
That lesson has stayed with me.
If I had to leave something behind from my journey, it would be this. Don’t try to hold everything together on your own. Build people. Trust them early. And create systems where others can step up, even in difficult moments. That is what makes things last.”
Join Dr. Pratima Murthy for her Curiosity Talk, “The Best is Yet to Be!”, on April 30 at 5:00 PM (IST).
In this session, she reflects on how life beyond 50 can open up deeper purpose, why mental well-being is central to healthy aging, and how staying connected, active, and engaged can shape a more meaningful next chapter.
Interviewed by Nehal Naik for WisdomCircle
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
