When writing matters...

Padma Rajeshwar, a homemaker, used to wait for new stationery to stock up in the shop near her house, when she wrote letters as a youngster. There are many like Padma who remember doing this and lay emphasis on how stationery played an important role in writing and communication in one’s growing up years.

On the occasion of World Stationery Day, Bengalureans stress on the importance of the written word and anything stationery, while comparing it to today’s tech-savvy times. A habitual writer, Padma says she still feels that writing elucidates emotions much deeper than any other medium. “I still prefer writing to people. The process of buying an inland letter, a good ink pen to write and then shaping one’s thoughts in an organised manner is exhilarating. I remember sitting down and gathering my thoughts, before paraphrasing everything, so that I could communicate effectively to the reader,” she says.

Pink-coloured stationery or scented sheets are some items that she remembers using. In today’s times, youngsters want everything quick, says Padma, a resident of RT Nagar.

“Communications happen over texting and WhatsApp messages. Emotions take a backseat, when it is something as technical as an email. The very smell of a letter that one receives can be so nostalgic.”

Raj Peter FA, who works with the postal department, remembers how writing letters was an exciting part of his life.

“When I was in Delhi on official training, I used to write to my family and friends. It felt like one’s feelings were given a tangible shape in those letters,” says Raj. He adds that till date, his favourite Parker pen is an important part of his attire. “I do not step out without it. Also, writing emails does not have that personal touch to it. I still prefer writing notes and letters,” he says.

Writing has an important effect on people, says Pradeep Udayakumar Kirani, founder-president of Graphology School of India Pvt Ltd.

“From taking notes to writing elaborately, writing has been taken over by technology. Though writing is not a new skill, it is a difficult one to master, as everytime one writes, one’s handwriting changes. To make one’s handwriting consistent is a complex art, and requires 27 bones and 40 muscles,” says Pradeep.

He adds that writing is the best form of expressing thoughts with pen and paper. “Writing with the hand is considered one of the best modes of studying and retaining information.

Humans have around 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day, and when one writes, they are focussing on the thought being put down at that time. This is a form of meditation,” he says.

Writing also helps to boost brain power. Anjali Vinayak, a third standard teacher, says that writing or doing craftwork with paper, compared to doing these on computers, enhances one’s motor skills and is a cognitive exercise. “When taking notes, one may type fast and take everything down, verbatim. But while writing, one doesn’t have such speed and can only take notes selectively. This requires the extra effort of taking information and refining it,” she says.

Rhea Guljahita, a student, says that an important part of her life is centred around writing. “I write diaries, pen thoughts down on paper and file it, and I still like to use the pen and ink, unlike all my friends who are using the notepad application on their mobile phones or tablets,” she says.

She says that her mother Ragini still cherishes the cards and letters that she received as a youngster  and this is what got Rhea plugged into writing. “Apart from the personal touch, writing down one’s thoughts helps sharpen one’s memory and knowledge, creates nostalgia, and defines one’s personality too,” she says.