An era fades by leaving memories

Joy of reading and writing a letter

Years before, when technology was not in progress, where peoples had time to meet and exchange greetings in the hustle bustle schedule and when somebody left the place or country for job or education, the only means of communication was letter.

An era passed, by giving way to advancement in technology and consequently the usage of internet and social medias. At one click everything has an end result. Emails, Facebook, Twitter, whatsapp and what not....has taken over the essence of reading and writing a letter.

But the joy of reading a handwritten letter can never ever be compared to any typed messages. Such is the pleasure you get while reading a letter. Sometimes I really wished the letter to be even longer especially the one from my mother and husband. Though both the letters were distinct, the contents had some stories.

I am extremely happy to be in an era where letters played an important role in communication. When we friends used to go for vacation the only means of communication was writing letters. It was fun writing letters to friends. We exchanged information about our native place, the rivers, the greeneries around, the tough and innocent people around, the shopping, romance for some, the unexpected fights, to journey to different homes.....all these and much more.

Actually one will learn the mode of writing when we start to write letters for friends, parents or relatives. We learn while writing, the importance of giving respects to different categories of people.

The most I enjoyed was the letter from my mother. When I was married and away from her she used to send me a lengthy letter. It comprises mostly of the happenings around and ending with a note to take care of my health and my family. Such was the impact of reading and writing a letter. This is what you call as an unconditional love.

This happiness you never get in an email or typed messages because we try to minimise our messages when typing. Now-a-days children are too lazy to even write their academic notes then where does the question of writing a letter arise?

When I was young, I was the one assigned the duty of going to the post office to purchase Inland letters or postal cards or stamps or posting letters to friends and family members. We should stand in a que inorder to follow the "first come, first serve system".

If there were any unforeseen happenings or emergencies, messages were conveyed through telegrams or speed post. It was quite expensive but messages reached within 24hrs. No availability of mobiles and so no instant communication.

Autographs from classmates

This is another memory that has faded along with time. Some memorable writings in autographs stay fresh in our minds. I have treasure my class 10th and college autographs until now.

Most children left the school once they completed their class 10th or 12th examination. So class 10th and 12th was given a farewell by juniors. This was also the time when we children exchanged autographs with friends and favorite teachers to get a writing from them.

Some of the popular writings were Live long life, Have handsome husband, Dated till Cock lays eggs or Dated till sun rises in the west..... such things. When looking back all these looks funny.

Not until this few years back did we had the wild idea of getting in touch with our intimate friends via whatsapp and facebook etc.

Life is short but these memories are evergreen that makes our life more beautiful and meaningful, amidst unavoidable issues.