Two oldies talk

Two oldies talking in the park

 

I saw two oldies sitting in a corner of a park bench comfortably and talking. They were engaging themselves in nostalgic recollections of their long past.  They are Ram and Charan in their early eighties.

 

Ram asked: Do you remember we used to get milk supplied in glass bottles?' Yes, yes agreed the other; the bottles had their own thin metallic seal. We had to wash it before giving in exchange for fresh ones every day. There was a doubt if they are washed well in factory before filling milk. We had to pay if we break the bottle due to negligent handling.

 

Charan added: After boiling milk and making fresh coffee, I will settle down with a cup of hot coffee. Wait for The Hindu. Perhaps listening to All India Radio tunes before the station started regular broadcasting. In those times, it was a valve based big Radio set connected to an aerial wire put up in terrace - a treasure to own, indeed. In those days newspapers used to carry important news on first page itself with carefully chosen headlines and the last page always for sports. Memorable headlines. Remember when Indira Gandhi was ousted, emergency declaration etc?

 

Ram commented: We used to read advertisements for jobs, matrimonial section, astrologers and what not. Entertainment was restricted to cinema, visit to beach, temples and listening to pravachanams. Engagements column was important. There was a fight among children and parents too when weekly journals arrive – to read the serials first.

 

Both felt that those lovely days won't come back again.