Those were the days ! No television , no computers . Blissfull ignorance for children , awakening to life’s realities and secrets very gradually . Sometimes leaving them spellbound ! I remember myself standing in the school playground amongst swings . Suddenly I was struck by the powerful awakening  .  That their existed several worlds encircling the lives of every individual . There were so many families with multiplicity of diverse activities . I alone was not the centre of existence . The realization of this simple truth is etched firmly in my brain even today .

A little further down I saw a Hollywood movie in which an elderly lady was stabbed to death . I was horrified that death can be inflicted by one human being against another and this was called murder . Simple pleasures were the cause of ultimate everyday joy . Waiting expectantly by the window sill for the arrival of a neighbourhood friend . Our daily journey to a nearby shop with my elder sister , which usually ended in the purshase of two lollipops . The brown one was savoured by my sister whereas I chose the red one . What heavenly delight in the delicious flavour with every lick .

Papa making the mango or rose milkshake meant participation in a grand ceremony . All the family members would gather around him , mummy would cut the mango slices or keep the rose syrup ready . Ice would be crushed and with great skill (that was the only food preparation Papa knew) and a flourish the much awaited drink would be ready .

The car rides at night where my sister and I recited all the poems and songs we knew while our parents would have intellectual discussions . The walls at home were witness to all our fights containing warring scibbles whenever we sisters fought . Aman my younger brother taking out his wrath on the walky talky doll and breaking her as soon as he got taller than her .

Crayons , colour pencils , water colours , drawing books , story books and enchanting encyclopaedias were sufficient to keep children engrossed , busy and completely satisfied . With additional tools such as intense and vivid imagination we would transport ouselves into a dream land of make belief and pure joy . Our room would be converted into a classroom , a railway compartment or even a hospital with our doctor set game .

Simple childhood pleasures but everlasting memories of a bygone era !