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 am proud of the work we have done in waste management. In Koramangala, we process 18 tonnes of wet waste per day through a decentralised system, and the biogas generated powers the entire Empire Hotel. In Madiwala Market, we diverted six tonnes per day from landfills to goshala and community kitchens. This model became an IIM case study and was later recognised by the Government of Germany in Heidelberg and Berlin. I have never held public office, and that has allowed me to work freely, without personal gain or expectation.
My childhood in an army family shaped the person I became. We travelled across India, and studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas taught me to adapt quickly, feel at home anywhere, and speak multiple languages. That comfort with people and places helped me later when I had to collaborate with government, vendors, and citizens to build decentralised waste systems.
Teaching was always one of my passions. Though I studied biochemistry, I taught chemistry and paid for my master’s by tutoring. Working from home in a joint family and being surrounded by students kept me youthful and grounded. Living abroad also influenced me deeply. In Sydney, seeing elderly parents wait for weekend visits made me promise myself that I should remain independent. In the United States, I went from being terrified of fast traffic to confidently driving within six months, simply because my son needed to get to school. Those years showed me that I was always ready to learn if someone guided me even a little.
A difficult turning point in my life was the loss of my elder brother, my dearest person. Staying at home reminded me of him, so I stepped out more. Around the same time, my daughter began wheezing in the evenings, and when I followed the smoke in the neighbourhood, I found people burning waste because no one picked it up. That moment planted the seed that eventually drew me into waste management.
When I started this work, I did not know how to draft formal emails, use cloud storage, or present my own work. Not wanting to be dependent on anyone, I made my daughter my teacher and learnt everything from scratch. At 62, I feel more empowered and independent than ever. Recently, I travelled alone for the first time as a juror evaluating climate-focused start-ups; an important milestone for me and a reminder that life keeps offering new experiences when you remain open to learning.
My message is simple: keep learning. The moment you stop learning, you stop living. Stay curious, keep your mind active, embrace technology fearlessly, and maintain your cognitive strength. Above all, be grateful for every opportunity, every experience, and even the ability to enjoy a cup of coffee in your own home. Everything else is a bonus.”
– Padmashree Balaram
Interviewed by Nehal Naik of WisdomCircle
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
