The Y2K was a big event. The pomp the fun the banter and the celebration. All was made into a huge deal. A transformation into a new generation a faster life a development beyond imagination. We left behind the terrible wars, the riots the partition and into a freedom. We were made to believe that the 20th century was the ball and chain that held us down. We were doomed by every possible negative aspect of humanity. The dawn of 1st January 2000 was more meaningful to those who saw the terrible side of life. Today when we ask these people if 21st is just as good, they give you a look that is akin a child who traded his half pants for a full one and now misses the freedom. The development of 21st century can be used to negate any point mentioned here but the aesthetic value of any point is irrefutable. So a tour down the memory lane begins.
1. Mobile
The cellular phone needs an individual mention here as the life has changed by this mobile phone alone. The no time constraint mobile phone has an instinctive ability to buzz at the most unconventional times. The beeping’s from whatsapp, SMS phone call, blackberry messengers are the starters. Main course is temple run, angry bird’s fruit ninja. For dessert we have Facebook. Twitter and YouTube. This gadget has replaced family and friends. It is one thing that makes everyone say, God, why we had to have these damn cell phones! Life would be simpler when the family can communicate without mobile.
These are some of the reasons that make us wonder if 20th century was really better. The times we missed seem better always and maybe our future generation will look back to our time in this very way, wishing for a simpler time. Till then we look back to the time and say that our grandparents were indeed lucky!
2.Westernization
The Indian culture is deemed to be the finest and most wholesome of all. This was the Golden Bird which we have now entered into a race. The when in Rome, do as the Romans philosophy is true however the Globalization does not demand us to lose the culture and tradition. Uniqueness is simplicity and enacting western culture is difficult for us. We never can be truly western. This painful transition is more pronounced in 21st century and the beauty of Indians had more gravity in 20th Century.
3. Pace
Parents are busy when the child is growing up. The fastness of life is too much when 7 year old returns to an empty home as his parents are working. The speed and pace of life today has made depression, stress and loneliness same as fever cough and cold. The acceptance of evils and taking life running is the funda of life when back pain and heart attacks have changed their timing from 60s to 30s. The soothing nature is not outside your door; take a break drive a couple 100kms to enjoy it. One of the most condemned evil of 21st century is the pace of life.
4. Social Network and virtual World
The real world was beautiful enough for our elders that the need of Farmville and city Ville was never felt. The need to live in this alternate reality is a part of 21st century. The couple lines chat which translated to communication today was once long heartfelt letters. The face to face talks are now Skype appointments. We have lost human touch while bringing human closer. The world has shrunken but we couldn’t be any further away from each-other. What’s the need when we can just Facebook?
5. Botox
Seven years before the turn of century the Botox was accepted as the ‘filter’. The market is expected to reach 2.9 Billion $ industry by 2018. The artificial face lift, lips and nose and boobs job and now a foot job is becoming a trend. The human being is on track to become the Barbie with perfect look sans any expression. The sheer fakeness of it feels repelling. The trend is here to stay but the beauty in my grandmothers wrinkled eyes can never be replaced by a perfected version. 20th century was much better in this case.
6. Social skills
The Kids born in the 21st century are more often than not socially awkward. These tech savvy geniuses will help you and teach you few things about iPods and laptops but put them in a social scenario and ask them to converse, you will have a confused listener and bored speaker. The break of reality and transition into Gizmo land is incomprehensible. The nuclear family has led to loss of culture and tradition. The youth today are confused to say the least for the prime guidance in their life is busy at work, television as a part-time parent is bound to create disaster.
7. Pure Evil
The atrocities on women have been a stigma we fight since beginning of time. To say that this has escalated in 21st century would border on some blurred lines. However the audacity of the crimes has surely stepped up. The open brutality shows that the people are no longer afraid of consequences and would let the animal take over when hurting the fairer sex. The darkness of cases of Nirbhaya and the little 4 year old are those which tell us that we were better off in 20th century. The parliament fails to pass the bill which would really safeguard women while the reign of Chandragupta Maurya had strict rules about safety of Women. The olden ages of Mauryan had women bodyguards while today women in army are not allowed to fight and wives of Navy complain of wife-swapping hobby.
8. Attire
The need for low waist jeans, the strange pattern pants i.e. skinny, hot, peddle-pushers and riders pants are among few of the new fads we see. The torn jeans the open shirts, tee backs, no backs are all labelled fancy and moving with the generation. The look of 20th century was much chaster when a sari actually concealed more than it revealed. The value of a cravat was understood and respected. The dignity, time and place played more important roles in deciding the get-up. We also had fewer wardrobe malfunctions back then.
9. Cricket, hockey
Let’s began with cricket. The good old test matches which tests the true mettle of any cricketer has today been reduced to scarily watched format. The titles such as true test of sportsmanship, the real cricket, the toughest format of game has today been replaced by too long, too boring, too slow among others. The need for cheer girls, the money, the speed and fast format has taken the fun away for few. The grit and need to feel the pace is gone before the game actually begins. The 20th century fans, after watching 20-20 will tell you that the net practice is enough, play the real game! The national game was at its peak in 20th century with 8 Olympic Gold’s, 1 silver and 2 bronze. The golden era is long overdue for a renewal.
10. Entertainment
The likes of sholay, Satya, Chashme Badoor, Chupke chupke, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mera naam Joker, Masoom, Chalti ka naam gadi are few among the ever green garden of Indian cinema. The aesthetically pleasing characters. The drama, the emotions the comedy is something one can watch with family without squirming or averting eyes. The simplicity of Cinema reflects the simple life and the black and white approach to human life. The compassion of 21st century is all complex and some bordering on being labelled as offensive. The scantily dressed ladies dance around with fire or glitter or men and this harsh portrayal fail to arouse the same feel which yesteryear actresses did with just a coy look. The Sheila’s and Munnis don’t stand a chance for the Julies and Bobbys never needed gasoline and matchstick to light the stage. In music and Lyrics department, even an un-trained ear will tell you that likes of Kagaz ki Kashti trumps the likes of Dinka chikas. The 20th century didn’t need size zero or short denims; it was simpler times when beauty was natural. Television was saas-bahu drama sans the 20 minutes advertisement in 30 min show. News was professional news without the repetition of same words or a review of the reality shows. Comedy was funny and action was believable. We have spiraled down in these departments for sure.
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