Memories are the most beautiful collection by any individual. Especially childhood is the period which no one ever forgets. It comprises of sweet and sour emotions collected in the heart which remain with us forever.
If any one of you are born in the 1980s, you will go back in your childhood reading this article. If you are not from that era or generation, you will know what all has changed over the period of time.
So let me take you in my childhood. I belong to a Rajasthani joint family comprising of grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and lots of cousins.
We used to sleep on the terrace at that time, when the weather was pleasant and pollution was so much less than these days. The stars were visible and air was fresh. The daily chore for us children every evening used to pour water on the terrace to make it cool, spread all the folding beds and keep drinking water in small earthen pots for everyone. We would carry our dinner upstairs, talk a lot, eat whatever was cooked without any tantrums and enjoyed every night. We were always fresh in the morning and got up early to get ready for school.
Another beautiful memory is that of summer vacations when all the aunts will come for stay with their children. The number of cousins exceeded 15 at times. Nowadays families are so distant that children hardly know their cousins well.
The games we played all day without any major fights with each other are still fresh in my head. We played mainly outdoors in the evening- luka chupi, galery, langdi, chain chain, badminton, kho-kho, the floor is lava, and many more.
The indoor games comprised of ludo, chess, carrom, chinese whispers, message pass, raja mantri, etc. There was an uncountable number of games in the playing cards. The vacations seemed so short with everyone around. We were lucky not to have gadgets and mobile games.
The birthday parties in that time consisted of samosa, gulab jamun and a dish which was relished by the birthday boy or girl. Cakes came into picture a little later. By the 90s, noodles, wafers and burger was added to the menu.
The outings meant picnics with the whole family where we will carry food cooked from home, fruits, sweets and cold drinks. Sitting in lush green gardens enjoying the beauty of nature is something that we miss nowadays. The birds sung and animals played around while we would feed them with fruits. Those cannot be compared to the current day outings of visit to the mall.
We clicked pictures with a huge bulky camera and waited for the prints patiently. The ease of multiple poses and immediate look at pictures was not available to us.
We children did not have our own rooms. During winters, we would sleep with the grandparents who used to take us to a new land of story each night. We heard about fairies, folk tales, mythology etc from them which are now stored in the sub-conscious mind. The moral values were taught during that time in form of tales only.
Though as we are progressing, the life is becoming more comfortable, but I miss the connection we felt with people earlier. Now it seems most people are interested in their own self or need benefit from others rather than true connect and regard.
It is always better to move with the progress and grow steadily. Nothing is constant and hence, we must accept everything that comes in future, while keeping our roots grounded. I hope you enjoyed the article.
Do let me know in the comments, any memory that you have and would like to share with us.
