Nostalgic and heartfelt message: “There was a time...” We had to go to school on our own because there was no custom of being dropped off by cycle or bus. Our parents never worried about what good or bad might happen after sending us to school... They never feared anything either, Pass or fail — that’s all we knew. We had nothing to do with percentages... Admitting to going for tuition was embarrassing because we might be considered fools... 🤣🤣🤣 We believed that placing peepal leaves, study leaves, or peacock feathers in our books would make us smarter... In cloth bags… in satchels… and later in aluminum cases… We were experts at organizing our books and notebooks neatly... Every year, before starting a new class, we would cover our books and notebooks with brown paper — and this was no less than an annual celebration or a festival... At the end of the year, we sold our books and bought used ones for the next year — and never felt ashamed... Because back then, neither books nor syllabus changed every year... Our parents never felt like our studies were a burden... Giving one friend a ride on the front bar of our cycle and another on the rear carrier and wandering through the streets — that was our daily routine... We must have wandered endlessly this way... Getting slapped by teachers, standing holding our toes, or having our ears twisted until they turned red — never hurt our self-respect... because honestly, we didn’t even know what self-respect meant... Getting scolded or beaten at home or school was just a normal part of daily life... Both the one hitting and the one getting hit were happy — The one getting hit because they got hit less today than yesterday, and the one hitting because they had a good go at it again today... Playing barefoot cricket anywhere, with wooden planks and any kind of ball, was a joy only we knew... We never even asked for pocket money, and our father never gave any... So our needs remained very small — a few times a year having some spicy puffed rice mix or a toffee or candy felt like a big treat… and we were genuinely happy with that… Small needs were usually met by anyone at home because families were joint... During Diwali, breaking apart firecracker chains to light one cracker at a time never felt embarrassing... We were never able to tell our parents how much we loved them because we didn’t even know how to say “I love you”... Today, after facing countless shocks and taunts from the world... We’re just a part of a struggling world… some got what they wanted, and some didn’t — who knows… Riding double or triple seat on school benches, and getting treats from friends at the small candy stall outside school in half-pants — we still remember that kindness... Where are those friends now, where did the ber-seller go… Where did the girl selling digestive powder disappear… who knows… 😇 No matter where we are in the world now, the truth is we grew up in the real world and truly faced reality… 🙃 Keeping clothes wrinkle-free and maintaining formalities in relationships was never our thing… Besides breakfast and dinner, the joy of carrying rotis wrapped in newspaper in our tiffin is something today’s kids wouldn’t understand... 😀 We don’t blame our fate — whatever life we’re living, we live it with joy, and this mindset helps us keep going… The life we lived simply can’t be compared with today’s… 😌 We don’t know if we were good or bad… but we had our time… 🙏 And most importantly, today I want to come out of my hesitation and from the bottom of my heart, say to my divine-like, always-remembered mother, father, brother, and sister — I am forever grateful for your unparalleled love, affection, blessings, care, and the values you gave me. 🙏 🙏🏻☺😊 One thing is for sure — whoever reads this entirely will definitely be reminded of many beautiful moments from their own past.