By Anil Jaiswal
Lucknow: For those born before 1970, life was both simple and profoundly transformative. Now in their 60s and approaching 70–75, this generation has witnessed extraordinary changes, from the era of coin counting to the age of digital transactions, from ink pens and typewriters to smartphones and laptops. Their journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
A Childhood of Simplicity and Creativity
In those days, even owning a bicycle was a luxury. Children played freely with iron rings, wooden sticks, or old tyres, and games like “gadi-gadi” or burying sticks in the ground were part of everyday joy. Plucking raw mangoes or cucumbers was never considered theft, and knocking on any neighbor’s door was normal. Simple pleasures defined life—pooling money to rent a VCR for watching multiple films together, listening to cricket matches, or cheering for Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Bhupathi, or Steffi Graf.
Education was experiential. Children learned from school, friends, and family, often creatively storing books in cloth bags or tin boxes. Tuition was seen as unnecessary, as confidence and ingenuity were valued above rote learning. Punishments from teachers—be it caning, standing on toes, or ear tugs—were commonplace, but never undermined the spirit of learning or respect for elders.
The Rise of Adaptability
This generation witnessed monumental shifts: the arrival of television, typewriters, and tape recorders, followed by computers, mobile phones, and digital devices. They learned to embrace each innovation, moving from the tactile world of coins and ink to the digital world of smartphones, laptops, and online banking without hesitation. The ability to adapt while retaining cultural grounding became a hallmark of their lives.
Life Lessons and Values
Respect, patience, and trust were instilled early. Children waited eagerly to meet friends rather than exchanging instant messages, celebrated festivals with simple joys, and experienced teamwork and sharing in sports and community events. Watching films, cheering for cricket heroes, or marveling at cinema stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shahrukh Khan, and Madhuri Dixit created lasting memories. Even small indulgences, such as enjoying a Diwali sparkler or a treat once every six months, were savored fully.
Living Through Change
Today, this generation is comfortable navigating cars, scooters, and the digital world, but they carry the lessons of patience, resourcefulness, and grounded joy from their childhood. Their story is one of adaptation, resilience, and embracing life’s highs and lows with gratitude. They lived, learned, and grew authentically—a generation that thrived without the conveniences of modern life, yet is fully capable of mastering them now.
In reflecting on their journey, it is clear that this pre-1970 generation had a “zamana” uniquely their own—a childhood of imagination and experience, a youth of exploration, and a mature adulthood that balances tradition with progress. Their memories, values, and adaptability continue to inspire and define a significant part of India’s evolving societal fabric.
