A Journey Through Time: How the World Has Changed Since 1962
I was born in 1962, and this December will mark my 59th year. My parents, both from Hyderabad, built a house in the late 1960s. They purchased land measuring 1000 square yards for Rs. 5000 and constructed a house for Rs. 40,000. The construction loan was taken from a land mortgage bank, and a small portion of my mother's gold was also sold to fund the project. The house stands as a testament to their dedication, even though the construction itself has aged. Today, the land alone is worth over Rs. 1 lakh per square yard!
Even today, when someone wants to build a house, the cost of land far outweighs that of the construction. This highlights the stark contrast between the past and present in terms of real estate values. Interestingly, the history of my family and neighbors reflects the broader narrative of a nation that has come a long way.
From Luxury to Necessity: Changes in Daily Life
In my mother's childhood, which began in 1940, white rice was a luxury. The Second World War further complicated their lives, and they often subsisted on hard jowar roti three times a day. By the time I was a child, rice was a staple, enjoyed at least twice a day. Now, once again, white rice is being advised against due to health concerns, signifying a full circle in dietary norms.
The availability and affordability of clothing have also seen significant changes. In my youth, the key elements—roti (wheat or rice bread), kapda (clothes), and makaan (a place to live)—were far from being easily accessible. While the first two requirements have been met with relative ease, finding a suitable place to live remains a challenge.
Electricity was not a common feature. Even in cities, daily power cuts were an everyday occurrence, with no alternative power systems like generators or UPS. Sadly, the disappearance of water bodies is one of the most severe changes visible in urban landscapes. While our house in Hyderabad had four lakes and a river within a five to six km radius, only one lake remained minimally intact, and the river had become an unsightly sewer. The once-bustling water bodies are now replaced with high-rise buildings, marking the progress and cost of such development.
Infrastructure and Amenities
The transformation of cities is perhaps the most notable change. Road expansions, improved public transport, and increased availability of amenities such as markets, hotels, schools, and medical facilities make daily life more convenient. However, these improvements come with a cost, as some of the natural landscapes have given way to concrete structures.
In my childhood, milk was scarce, and refrigerators were far from common. We would often go without milk if the delivery schedule did not meet our needs. A typical household had a kerosene stove or coal-fired stove to manage between one to fifteen days without dairy. Today, refrigerators and automatic delivery systems have made such challenges a thing of the past.
Enhanced Quality of Life and Salaries
The salaries of government employees have seen a significant boost in the past half-century. My father, who worked as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and earlier as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), struggled with financial constraints. Today, a government official can lead a comfortable life, financially speaking, regardless of their rank. This change in financial stability can also be attributed to increased government salaries and better job security.
Similarly, technological advancements have revolutionized our lives. In the 1970s, our home had an old radio and a single ceiling fan, with a black and white TV and a shutter. Music was enjoyed through records played on a pin, with Nazia Hassan's "Disco Deewane" being a popular song among my peers. Car ownership was a distant dream, and petrol cost around Rs. 2-3 per liter. Contrast this with the modern era, where smartphones, high-speed internet, and electric cars are becoming the norm.
Moreover, the job market has evolved. Allied with the changes in salaries, the availability and stability of job opportunities have also improved. The period from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s was marked by political turmoil and economic challenges, such as the declaration of emergency by Indira Gandhi in the mid-1970s and successive droughts. However, today's technological advancements and better governmental policies have significantly mitigated such issues.
Indeed, the visible and invisible threads of change in my lifetime reflect the broader narrative of India's development and evolution. While there are moments of nostalgia and regret over lost beauty and tradition, the progress made is undeniable. As the world continues to change rapidly, it is essential to appreciate the journey and the improvements that have been achieved.