I remember those times.....

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When Gulli-Danda & Kanche (marbles) were as popular as cricket....

When we always had friends to play aais-paais, Luka-Chhuppi,  anytime...

When there were open grounds and gardens to play...

When we desperately waited for 'Yeh Jo Hai Jindagi'; 'Dekh bhai Dekh'...

When chitrahaar, Chhaayageet, vikram-baitaal, Dada Daadi Ki Kahaniyaanwere so fulfilling....

When Mowgli was a national hero all over the country...

When Surabhi was our online knowledge resource....

When there was just one TV in every five houses and... 

when at least twenty to thirty people used to gather in one home to watch TV Serials of 'Ramayan' and 'Mahabharat'...

When Buniyaad and Humlog lingered for ages, yet, people watched them with devotion...

When Captain Vyom was the coolest Indian superhero with outlandish Yogic powers....

When Bisleris were not sold in the trains and we were worrying if papas will get back into the train in time or not when they were getting down at stations to fill up the water bottle...

When we were going to bed by 9.00pm sharp except for the 'Surabhi' day...

When Holis & Diwalis meant mostly Hand-made pakwaans and sweets and moms seeking our help while preparing them...

When Maths teachers were not worried of our Mummies and papas while slapping/beating us ..

When we were exchanging comics and stamps and Chacha-Chaudari, Sabu, Billu, Pinky were our idols... Especially Chacha Chaudhary with his brain faster than computer !!!

When we read Chandamama, Champak and Amar Chitrakatha with utmost interest...

When one movie every Sunday evening on television was more than asked for...

When 50 paisa meant at least 10 toffees... I so miss Rawalgaon toffees...

When left over pages of the last years notebooks were used for rough work or even fair work ...

When the first rain meant getting drenched and playing in water and mud and making 'kaagaj ki kashtis' ... 

When there were no Phones to tell friends that we will be at their homes at six in the evening.. We just went there.. 

When our parents always had 15 paise blue colored 'Antardesis' and 5 paise stamps at home...

When we remembered tens of jokes and were not finding 'ice-cream & Papa' type jokes foolish enough to stop us from laughing...

When we were not seeing patakhe on Diwali and gulaal on Holi as air and noise polluting or allergic agents...

When we were using our hearts more than our brains, even for scientifically brainy activities like 'thinking' and 'deciding' ..

When we were crying and laughing more often, More openly and more sincerely...

When sharing worries and happiness didn't mean getting vulnerable to the listener... 

When blacks and whites were the favorite colors instead of greys...

When journeys also were important and not just the destinations...

I remember those times......