JOIN USThe past beats inside me like a second heart’ said John Banville in his novel ‘The Sea’. It is easy for most of us to identify with this sentiment as we all have some cherished memories tucked away in the corners of our heart. Nostalgia may trick us into seeing the past with rose-tinted glasses but it is true that technology is changing our lives faster than we can handle.
Gouri Varma, a student, reminisces about a time when meeting people in person was deemed important to keep relationships alive. “Now WhatsApp is the preferred mode of communication. Even for birthdays, calls are becoming rare and a message or post in Facebook is the maximum effort that people are willing to take. The more technology invents ways to bring us closer, the more we use it to distance ourselves from others.”
Meghna, a professional, feels that advances in gadgets have affected every aspect of our lives. “I don’t remember the last time I referred to a map to figure out directions or used a public phone booth. We have gotten used to the idea of high-speed internet and touchscreens, literally having the world at our fingertips. The biggest casualty of the decade is the newspaper. The popularity of online readership has caused print media to be on life support and even I read from websites these days. It is more convenient but sometimes I miss the touch and rustle of the pages.”
The changing urban landscape has also contributed to many a fond memory getting erased.
“My family and I loved going to the iconic Brindavan Hotel on MG Road. The food was so amazing and the traditional setting contributed to the charm. We were pretty heart broken when it was demolished to make way for a posh house,” says Gouri.
Saunak Ghatak rues the fact that open spaces are a thing of the past and buildings dominate the horizon. “There was a field near my house with which many of my memories are associated. It was there that I learned how to cycle and play cricket, got my first bruises and cuts and shared many a good time with my friends. But tall, concrete structures stand in that place now and they are pretty depressing to look at.”
Transport too has been revolutionized and with sleeker cars and faster engines came traffic jams and thick layers of smoke.
Says Sudhish Shetty, “I miss the good old days where we would cycle to school, riding on roads lined with Gulmohar trees. The lush green leaves with the bright red and yellow flowers were a sight to behold. There was not much traffic and the climate was also pleasant throughout the year. It is a sight that will be etched in my memory for ever.”
So while change is necessary and an unavoidable truth of life, it is important to pause occasionally and take a breather. Life is much more comfortable nowadays but we need to introspect if it is also more fulfilling.