We live in a world of technology. Every body around us uses technology and life seems to come to a halt in it’s absence. Technology has made our lives easier, faster and closer. One would be surprised to see a child around 3 years of age, using a tablet for drawing and painting. At that age the child uses his lap top with such an ease that gives some of us a complex.
Today’s children can never relate to the way we shopped, played, read, travelled and connected . We did all the things they do, just that we did those things differently. It’s true that we did not have the gadgets kids today have, but our lives were full of fun and enjoyment. We found happiness in simple things we did, and there was so much innocence in that.
Remembering and celebrating birthdays was real fun. I agree today the birthdays are celebrated in much grander way than before, today wishes are sent via sms or what’s app. Earlier when someone wished you on your birthday, you knew that he remembered that day but today, it’s on your facebook profile. No one bothers to pick up the phone and call. That personal touch is missing.
Writing letters in your own handwriting was so personal, today we have e-mails. I agree they are quick and convey your feelings faster, but the warmth a hand written letter can give is just different.
Many times I have been told to use a kindle for reading. I agree it’s easy to hold and travel, but holding a book , or a magazine, and turning the pages while reading it gives me is a different pleasure.
I still miss clicking pictures, and sending the roll for washing to get prints of the pictures clicked. Everybody is using digital cameras today.
How we used to sit with the thick dictionary in our hands to find the meaning of one word. Today everything is available at the click of a button.
I remember switching on or off, our black and white television set without the remote.
Watching TV thrice a week, that too only at fixed times as those were the only times programmes were shown. I still remember it used to be film songs for half an hour on Thursdays, a regional film on Saturday afternoons and a Hindi film on Sunday evenings.
Using a card paper or a thin book to fan ourselves in case of an electricity failure.( we had not heard of invertors then)
Standing in long queues to get a train ticket and going to the travel agent or airport to get the air ticket. Paying double or thrice the price for a super hit hindi movie ticket.
How we would go to the grocery store ourselves and walked down to school. Today with crimes being reported often, parents do not send their daughters out alone to buy things.
I still remember how often we used to meet our bigger family, on weekends and holidays. Today with internet and innumerable television channels ever body is glued onto their television sets.
How carefree we used to be, while cycling as very few vehicles used to be seen on the roads.
Any information we had was through the elders, parents or friends. We had to rely on that information as there was no other source like a google those days.
No interactive boards, we had black boards and white, pink, blue and green chalks were used to write on them.
Telephone was our tool to be in touch, which used to be fixed at one place in the house. No mobiles.
Mornings were times to chat with family over a cup of tea, today everyone in the house sits with a smart phone in one hand and a tea cup in another. What is supposed to be a family time is taken over by the smart phone, it’s like a device which has to be with you where ever you go. Be it kitchen, garden or the wash room.
Today technology has made things amazingly easier for us, from finding a toy or a dress to finding a life partner. Technology helps you make and also break your relations. Learning an instrument to finding your lost friends and connecting with them, It’s technology every where and we surely need it as it’s with the help of technology, that I am sharing my feelings with you.
We all need technology and it has become a part of our lives, but at the same time I enjoyed my life the way it was in the 70s and 80s which I think gave us a more quality time with our dear and near ones.
I agree that today we are in touch with them more often due to face book and what’s app but also hope that we should bond the way we used to in the absence of technology and try to meet in person.