Long distance calls were
exorbitantly expensive and the known way of communication was through letters. Phones
were meant to be used in case of emergency or to deliver short messages like …
“I reached hostel safely.”
Message was not the only interesting
aspect of letters, it was the entire Jing bang. The pen pals, the paper, ink color,
handwriting and not to forget the precious little things on the cover… the coveted
postage stamps. I enjoyed every aspect of this process and it’s not only stamps
I collected, I also treasured many a letter.
An artist friend managed to remain untouched
by computers creating an opportunity to communicate through lengthy personal
letters. Not frequent, but immensely satisfactory feeling, nevertheless. An
email announcing the receipt of my letter last year brought down the last
bastion of letter writing.
On a train to London in December,
we witnessed travelers writing festive cards like our olden times. Like London
city, many traditions remained preserved, I explained to my daughter.
We decided to send our personalized
cards around the world. A first time experience for our daughter to buy stamps,
affix those before dropping them off.
No one chose to send back a card. But
undeterred, I shall trying again to revive this old tradition.
