Rajni came to Kolkata 33 years ago following her marriage. Life was smooth, just as she had imagined. But, in 2019, COVID-19 suddenly disrupted everybody's life. For many, social distancing meant isolation, but not for her. Instead, it became the catalyst for this 56-year-old woman to embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, friendship, and renewed passion for the arts.
Hailing from Rajasthan with ancestral ties to Bihar, she has always found joy in simple pleasures of life while bringing up her children and taking care of family. Now, she is a grandmother; however, she does not like to stay home-bound. She likes participating in satsangs and enjoys singing bhajans.
When lockdown confined millions to their homes, Rajni found herself seeking meaningful connections through her singing. While exploring randomly, She came across an online community and attended one music class and got hooked to the platform. She made long-lasting connections in with the community members through her singing.
She says, "Joining online platforms marked a new phase in my life. You see us laughing like this; it is all because of that community. Otherwise, I would spend most days alone at home after my husband leaves for work."
"I found myself learning and connecting with others in ways I had not imagined. On the platform, I found a supportive community where my passion for singing was celebrated, not criticised."
Her social bonding became strong. When the pandemic was over, she even went to Mumbai to meet her friends from her online community.
Music was just the beginning. As she felt comfortable among the community members, her passion for 'dance' also rekindled. "Back in school, I learned Bharatnatyam, and during my time in Rajasthan, we often performed Rajasthani folk dances. Now, I am a part of the platform's exclusive premium dance community, where I continue my dance practice."
The Best Age
Her children are now busy in their lives, and she has got enough time to spend on her hobbies. According to her, "The age we are in is the best age. Now that our children have grown and established themselves, we have the freedom to pursue our interests and passions without hindrance."
Asthma And Singing
Many may think that asthma and singing cannot go together, but for Rajni, who has been managing asthma for over twenty years, singing and supporting the environment has helped.
"Singing and staying active through daily physical activity and dancing on the platform has definitely helped my asthma. The activities make me really happy and cheer me up instantly. And then eventually posting it on the Facebook Group—it's amazing! I also take classes and follow the nutrition and health tips shared in class", she states.
She attributes her bonding with community members as a reason behind her feeling joyful and energetic. The bonds that make the same life more enjoyable.
She shared her experience of the Goa trip with her community friends, "I never enjoyed Goa so much before; I went with my husband, friends, and even my parents, but the enjoyment we had this time was different," and added, "My roommate was very nice. It felt like we had known each other for days. We met for the first time, but having her as a roommate made everything feel very good. I mean, I have never enjoyed life so much. It was great to have got a chance to connect with each other more personally and discover Goa this time around in a whole new way."
Bonding Matters
She says: "I have made many friends, though initially, we met each other virtually, and when we met each other offline, it felt as though we had known each other for a very long time. Life has become incredibly joyful since I joined the community. It is positive and motivating, and everyone supports one another."
Social Isolation And Digital Communities
Though using digital technology, gadgets, apps, and the internet may feel overwhelming to most elderly, these are the tools to combat isolation.
Rajni's story shows how digital communities can combat isolation and create meaningful connections, especially for older adults. Her journey demonstrates that active aging is not just about staying busy, it is about engaging in activities that bring joy, improve health, and foster genuine human connection.
As she puts it, every age can indeed be the "best age" when lived to its fullest.
The article is contributed by the GetSetUp team.
