Then & Now

  

One day late afternoon  munching and sipping over a potfull of rice flakes and teas while chatting with mother,  it was revealed quite candidly by mother that during her time ie sixty years back ,the days were simple and better comparatively todays complicated violent and unrest times. Families of those times were content with paultry salary which seem to be sufficient to run a family happily. The value of money was vibrant. People were easy to mix with and friendly enough to rub shoulders smoothly. Hovering over snacks with friends in an eatery joint were never a tough call as delicacies or soft drinks were shared smilingly and without a feeling of hatred if other mate not been able to cough up the required share of money.   

 

I wonder on the thought shared by mother and reminisces on my childhood moments which was thorny but memorable indeed. I agree to her statement. Elders were highly regarded and respected while the super senior citizens in their 80's used to be guarded with immense care and their life's dictions were adhered staunchly even if unagreeable to an extent. The days spent were memorable and highly regarded. We were privileged enough to watch great films of our times during early 80's accompanying father or cousins mainly.  Getting a scold or a hit by parents was an occassional occurance in our growing days. Pampering was a far off thought comparing todays where material benefits comes like moving a magic wand. Playing was an intense part of our regular curriculum. Healthy adda was never a miss. Mixing with independent choosen friends was never been guarded by parents. Going to a film or a circus show with senior family members alongwith my cousins by riding a tram car was fun especially in the second class and the bell of the tram car still rings in our grown up mind even today. Withdrawing monthly family expenses by cheque were the only option available to run the entire month as the privilege of ATM facility was a distant dream. The monthly expenditure were duly met alongwith our school fees and other miscellaneous expenses although staggeringly. 

Those days were simple, fun loving and less noisy.  Working in offices on Remington typewriters and hand written files stored safely in cupboards were a age old practice albeit safe and secured. Life was slow and never in a rush unlike todays. Peace did prevail despite slow pace and less salary as the value for money existed. One telephone or television used to be in any one household where family members or localites are welcome to come and watch or made / receive phone calls. Post office used to be an important platform for posting letters, sending urgent  telegrams across the nation fast and secured. Speed posts were one of the best change in the postal department till late 90's and early 2000. Those days the high rate of interest in post offices in various schemes and also in glamorous companies has helped immensely for a middle class indian to accumulate reasonable funds for their old age or their ward marriages unlike todays vanishing lucrative rate of interest. 

 

The 21st century has given us great invention in terms of technology. Computers, mobile phones, tablets, laptops,  digitalisation were a phenomenal evolution while banking transactions has given us lesser footfalls. Emails has handicapped the function of post offices mainly while ATM facilities has redeemed the footfalls  in banks and standing in long queues while the evolution in digitalisation has helped greatly in making transactions while sitting back in offices or homes. Gas booking has become an easy matter unlike yesteryear. Paying bills or sending monies has become more convenient without moving out of home or work places. 

 

Despite of qualified professionals earning a decent salary, the quality of life has become noisy and unrest than yesteryear. Divorce rates  are higher while the relationships are mostly in turmoil.  Hatred and jealousy sadly has replaced smile and authenticity. Fake and forgery is rampant while advanced banking facility on transactions has become a matter of concern. People now has started to beleive in the old dictum of life while most try to avoid as much possible to transact online. Even withdrawing money from ATM's has become an alarming issue. 

 

Todays children  hardly has any childhood memories when the quality of most mothers are in the declining state. Material world has overtook the natural world and dispalying each ones assets has become a pride of life. Non existant of fast food deliveries in those days never dampens the spirit on the quality of life comparing of todays when eating healthy food is concerned. Pizza or chocolava cake never snatch away the simple delicious recipies of our mother or cousin aunts. 

 

Undoudtedly technology is the life blood of 21st century while the quantity has undermine the quality of lifestyle. Fame, money and displaying of ornamental assets has failed to bring smile and happiness beyond any doubt.  And this debate continues like an ocean flows at his own style uninterruptedly.