What is the secret of a long and active life? Yoga? Morning walks? Green tea? Expensive health supplements? Or perhaps a more exciting prescription: Join Politics!

Forget the conventional wisdom about retirement. Don't spend your golden years sitting in a park, discussing blood sugar, cholesterol and the rising cost of medicines. There is a much better alternative. Enter politics! It offers purpose, excitement, public attention, endless opportunities for arguments and, above all, an excellent excuse to remain busy.

Politics could well be the world's most affordable anti-ageing programme. It comes with free entertainment, social networking, occasional travel, public recognition and unlimited opportunities to exercise your vocal cords.

Look at the evidence. Some of the world's oldest political leaders have remained remarkably active well into their eighties, nineties and even beyond. Coincidence? Perhaps. But the pattern is certainly entertaining.

Take Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad. He returned as Prime Minister at the remarkable age of 92. Morarji Desai became India's Prime Minister at 81 and lived to 99. Kerala's VS Achuthanandan became Chief Minister at 82 and lived to 101.

Then there was former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who remained politically influential until his death at 94. Nelson Mandela lived to 95 and continued inspiring millions long after leaving office. Jimmy Carter reached 100, remaining engaged in public service for decades after his presidency.

In India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee lived to 93, Manmohan Singh to 92, and M Karunanidhi to 94. HD Deve Gowda, Farooq Abdullah, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have also demonstrated that political engagement need not come with an early expiry date.

Across the world, Chuck Grassley, Bernie Sanders and Nancy Pelosi have shown that advancing years need not mean disappearing from public life.

Of course, genetics, medical facilities, wealth and lifestyle matter. Politics cannot guarantee longevity. But these examples suggest something worth exploring: staying mentally engaged, socially connected and purposeful can make the later years more meaningful.

Consider what happens when you join a political organisation. Suddenly, your calendar fills up. There are meetings, demonstrations, delegations, press conferences, birthday celebrations, condolence visits and election campaigns.

You have people to meet, problems to discuss and causes to champion. Somebody needs your advice. Somebody wants your support. Somebody disagrees with you. And somebody is always available for an argument. What more could an ageing brain ask for?

Then comes the physical exercise. Marching in rallies, climbing stages, waving hands, greeting supporters and occasionally escaping angry opponents can keep the body moving.

And those crowds! Hundreds of people waving flags, shouting slogans and chanting your name. The atmosphere is electrifying. The noise is deafening. Your morale receives a tremendous boost.

Slogan-shouting exercises the lungs. Walking in processions keeps the legs moving. Public speaking gives the vocal cords a workout. The excitement of political competition keeps the mind alert.

One should not confuse this with medical treatment. Slogans cannot replace medicines, and political excitement is not a scientifically established therapy. But the psychological benefits of purpose, companionship and participation are worth appreciating.

Retirement should be the beginning of your political innings. Why should a retired bank manager, professor, government officer, businessman or journalist spend the rest of life watching television debates? Get involved! And you don't have to contest parliamentary elections. Politics is everywhere.

Join your housing society's residents' association. Fight for better roads, security, parking and sanitation. Become active in your local club. Question the management, organise events and demand transparency.

Religious institutions offer another exciting arena. There are committees, management disputes, festivals, donations and endless leadership opportunities.

Sports grounds are equally promising. Become involved in a local sports association. Promote young talent, organise tournaments and occasionally challenge the referee's decisions.

College campuses, professional associations, trade bodies and neighbourhood organisations also offer opportunities for activism.

The trick is to remain competitive. Develop a following. Speak confidently. Question authority. Challenge complacency. Organise people around genuine public causes.

And enjoy a little mogging. Look impressive, command attention, display your leadership qualities and make your presence felt. Just remember that leadership is not merely about occupying the front row. It is about delivering results.

The best part? Politics is remarkably economical. You don't need a luxury gym, expensive equipment or imported health drinks. A few enthusiastic supporters, a microphone, a public meeting and a good cause can provide plenty of stimulation.

Talking big is particularly affordable. Promising to transform your neighbourhood costs nothing. Demanding accountability is free. Giving speeches requires only confidence and a reasonably functioning microphone.

Naturally, there is a catch. Politics can also bring stress, sleepless nights, disappointments, rivalries and blood-pressure problems. Choose your battles wisely. Avoid unnecessary bitterness. Don't turn every disagreement into a personal war.

Most importantly, remember that politics should mean public service, not merely self-promotion. There is a larger message here. Age is not necessarily a full stop. Retirement need not mean withdrawal from society. Experience accumulated over decades can become a valuable public resource.

A retired person with knowledge, energy and social commitment can still make a difference. Communities need mentors, organisers, watchdogs and people willing to speak up.

So, here is my unconventional prescription for the golden years: Don't retire from life. Retire from boredom! Join a cause. Join an association. Organise people. Raise your voice. Keep walking, thinking, arguing and laughing.

And if somebody asks for your secret of longevity, don't reveal your diet chart. Simply smile and say: "I have joined politics. My innings is far from over!"