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.
Wisdom Stories: Dr Pallavi Mody
“As a child in the 1950s, my world was shaped by the vibrant streets of Matunga, Mumbai. I attended the Amulakh Amichand School, did my graduation in Ruia College to study Economics. My academic journey continued at Mumbai University, where I completed my MA in Economics. From those early college days, I knew I had found my calling: I wanted to be a professor.
However, life had its own plans. Following my post-graduation, my husband was posted to Sharjah, UAE, and we spent five years there. I had my children there. It wasn’t until our return to India in 1980 that I truly began to chart my professional course. I started as a junior college lecturer, moved to degree college teaching soon, a career that spanned over two decades.
During those years at Bhavan’s College, I didn’t just teach BA and BCom students; I immersed myself in the practical world of finance. As India began to liberalise in the 1990s, everyone was eager to understand the interplay between the economy and the markets. I took on a role as an economist at K.R. Choksey Shares and Securities, a position I held for 20 years. This dual life, half in the classroom and half in the brokerage firm, fuelled a deep curiosity about how markets truly function.
That curiosity led me to a significant turning point: pursuing a PhD in Capital Markets. I was 50 years old when I received my doctorate, a moment I fondly remember because my children were going through their own graduations at the same time.
With my PhD in hand, I shifted to post-graduate teaching at the SP Jain Institute of Management, one of the top management schools in the country. Here, teaching became even more challenging & intriguing. It wasn’t just about lectures; it was about research, writing books, publishing cases and newspaper articles. I developed core competencies in subjects like Business Environment, International Business, Personal Finance besides Economics.
Though I officially retired four years ago, I haven’t slowed down. I continue to teach about 10 to 15 sessions a month as a visiting professor. I even ventured into the digital world at age 70, starting “SVA-Finance,” an online platform to teach people how to manage their investment portfolios. I was excited to start this venture, created the website, courses and promotional paraphernalia. However, eventually stepped back from that project because I preferred teaching fundamentals over giving high-risk investment recommendations. The experience and excitement itself was invaluable.
Today, at 74, I am still a student of the world. I never miss the 9:00 PM news to see and understand the drama being played in the business world across the countries. I am currently teaching myself about AI and experimenting with tools like Gemini and ChatGPT. To me, 60 isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of a new middle age.
To my fellow seasoned professionals:
- Stay Curious: Curiosity is the basis of everything. It is what keeps you relevant and alive.
- Keep Upskilling: Whether it’s learning computers and the Internet in your 40s or AI in your 70s, never turn a blind eye to what is new. You must stay updated to stay engaged with the world.
- Don’t Drift: There is a fine line between relaxing and allowing yourself to drift into lethargy. Once you realise you are drifting, hold on and stay afloat.
- Work and Life aren’t Mutually Exclusive: People often say they want to retire to travel or relax. I’ve found that I can travel more now, relax more now and still do the work I love.
I’ve been teaching for 44 years now, and quite simply, ‘dil abhi bhara nahi’—my heart is not yet full. If I am enjoying it, I will keep going.
Interviewed by Nehal Naik for WisdomCircle
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
