60 Is the New 40!
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
30 June 2026
Kaun kis umra mein kitni shaadiyaan kare
Soch ke iss fikra mein tu kyon mare?
'Latifa' Banarasi
(Who ties the knot at what age and how many times / Why are you losing your sleep over this?)
Aamir Khan will tie the knot for the third time on Sunday, July 5, causing whispers to go viral on social media. He's 61-yr-old and his would-be wife, Gauri Spratt, is 47-yr-old. Why should the marriage of two adults be a matter of concern to others? First of all, not all people marry just for lust. Marriage is all about companionship and compatibility between two mature humans. When we picture our perfect partner, we probably think of someone who is our age—or at least in the same generation. But love doesn't always work that way, and some couples make it work despite an obvious age gap. These May-December romances, as they're called, have faced their share of criticism, but they're still going strong. The older partner in such a liaison, is not a cradle-snatcher as we often use the word so derogatorily as well as casually.
Otherwise also, a 47-yr-old woman falling for a 61-yr-old man is nothing surprising. Both are pretty mature and their age-gap is also not huge. Man is a social animal. We all need companionship and crave the presence of another individual, esp. when one's ageing, to unbosom himself / herself. With ageing comes vulnerability and fear of loneliness. That's the reason the institution of marriage came into existence. It gives a social sanction and security to a relationship. In India, once the age gap between the bride and bridegroom exceeds seven years, it disturbs the societal and parental applecart.
Moreover, a 61-year-old man is not a hoary-old relic of the past. Age is but a number and love doesn't care for age. One can fall in love at any age and with anyone. The only condition or prerequisite is that both should be adults. Trends and perceptions regarding companionship are fast changing, nay evolving. Sixty is the new forty. In fact, all ' senior ' men must compliment Aamir Khan on paving the way for them! Go beyond stubborn beliefs and accept the changes in the dynamics of human relationships, esp. man-woman relationships. Remember the old rhyme, ' There's no specific age to have a fling / For, autumn is as exciting as the spring.' If couples make no bones of their so-called age difference, who're we to poke our nose into their paradise? Furthermore, it should also not be a matter of concern for the idlers that it's Aamir Khan's third marriage. How many times a person marries is nobody's business. Let one marry as many times as he or she can! Lastly, I must mention a suggestive Arabic adage that a Man and a Horse never grow old! Both are eternally virile. My most felicitous wishes to Aamir and Gauri on this auspicious occasion.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/60-is-the-new-40/d/140601
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