Several senior citizens in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district are actively carrying out farming at a time when youths are shying away from hard work in the field.

As many as 12 farmers at Chongkola village in the age group of 60 to 85 years even till the field themselves. Some of them are growing crops at Helochijan, a sar sapori along the Dhansiri.

Purnakanta Gogoi, 79, an ex-serviceman, started farming in 2004. After 20 years of service in the Indian Air Force, he retired in 1985. He joined State Bank of India in 1994 and retired in 2004. At present, he cultivates mustard in five bighas of land along with other crops.

“I am able to do hard work because of a disciplined life in the air force. Without discipline, no one can live a long life or can do hard work in old age,” Gogoi said.

“Though seniors are busy with agricultural work, the youth are not attracted to farming but only hankering after motorbikes and mobile phones,” he added.

Dimbeswar Gogoi, 63, is growing mustard on 11 bighas along with other crops. “I am expecting a good harvest within one-and-a-half months,” he said.

“We are facing serious threats from depredation by elephants and deer in our fields,” he added.

Similarly, Nandeswar Gogoi, 85, and Debeswar Gogoi, 65, are also actively busy in their agricultural fields round-the-clock at Chongkola.

Nibha Gogoi, a teacher at Kristo Jyoti High School here and a resident of Chongkola, said the elderly villagers are setting an example for the young generation.

“The young generation must follow the ideals of such senior citizens, including octogenarians, to earn a livelihood through agriculture instead of hankering after government jobs,” she said.