I have recently received the KartAnzjan and, to be honest, I was not too happy with such a horrid looking card. I had an urgent need to hide it or throw it in the trash bin.

I know turning 60 is a milestone but I do not think anyone has the right to call me anzjan, not even the government. The green colour is unsightly, in fact, many believe green is bad luck.

I do not really mind turning 60, in fact it has got its advantages – it’s all in the way you look at it.

Therefore, I gave it some thought and designed a card for us women turning 60 – same as KartAnzjan but eliminated ‘KartAnzjan’ and replaced it with ‘Diamond Card’ (diamond signifying a 60th anniversary).

Instead of green I copied it on a pink-flowered paper. It looks really pretty. Now, I would really love to receive a card like that, with perhaps a small Happy Birthday note attached. Most probably, the other recipients would appreciate it too.

Men can design their own, perhaps with fast cars or Russian women in the background; anything that makes them happy.

Nothing depresses people more than calling them anzjan and sending them such a horrid-looking card. Let us decide when to call ourselves anzjan, especially when the retirement age is now going up to 65 and people are living well into their 80s.

Diamonds suit us more and we feel more precious because after all that’s what we are.

Mind you, I appreciate the worth of the card – it’s just the way it’s done that I feel insulting. With a small additional cost and a large dose of sensitivity, people will start feeling proud of their Diamond Card and not hide it in their wallet or at the bottom of their drawer.

I hope the authorities concerned will consider my proposal.