Love Actually Two happily married couples share glimpses of togetherness NEETU AND GROUP CAPTAIN (RETD) HEMANT KHATU Pune After a career as fighter pilot, settling down to a quiet and peaceful retired life had certainly never figured in 65 year-old Group Captain Hemant Khatu’s thinking. So the post-retirement plan to start HANS Adventure Resort — about 120 km from Pune — and run adventure activities was certainly his idea. However, it was wife Neetu (60) who did a major part of the planning, right from the landscaping to the exquisite meals for the guests. The experience garnered thanks to the activities of the Air Force Wives’ Welfare Association during their 39 years of marriage had helped hone her strengths. “While the resort was being constructed, we had to travel extensively to the location, and that gave us a lot of time together,” reveals Hemant. “We also love travelling around the world, and in the country as well, visiting relatives and friends. Next month we are going for an East European tour. I want to pamper Neetu; she works so hard.” Differences of opinion? “Oh well, they do crop up occasionally, but we generally resolve them amicably,” says Neetu with a smile. The Khatus have recently opened another branch of their resort in Nandgaon, Maharashtra, and early mornings often find this couple taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. “Both of us love nature and our work allows us just that,” they enthuse. — Mita Banerjee NEENA AND PRITHPAL SINGH Chandigarh She was executive vice-president, retail branch banking, HDFC Bank, North India and he was assistant general manager, State Bank of Patiala. Retirement gave bankers Neena (53) and Prithpal Singh (57) an opportunity to do what they’d wanted for many years — return to society what they had received. “We set up the Bharat Prakarsh Foundation (BPF) for underprivileged children who have no access to mainstream education,” says Neena who quit work in 2007, a year after Prithpal. Providing quality intervention through the government’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan programme, BPF has benefitted 10,000 children (aged between 6 and 14) living in various slums of Chandigarh. Intervening personally, the Singhs have improved the standard of instruction, hygiene and quality of midday meals in schools under SSA. Monthly reports are sent to the Education Department. Giving scholarships to possible dropouts for lack of money, they integrated about 7,000 students in mainstream schools last year. Under project Udaan, BPF has set up a library with books and computer in 32 government schools where education is imparted under the alternative innovative education (AIE). Scholarships for 30 meritorious students are provided every year through the Confederation of Indian Industries. Associating with the Integrated Child Development Scheme of the Social Welfare Department, BPF has also endeavoured to improve the quality of care offered to younger children under anganwadi programmes. Clearly, here's a couple that's investing in tomorrow in the best way possible. — Vandana Shukla Read 'Love in the long run' in the February issue of Harmony – Celebrate Age for more stories!