Outta Sight, Outta Mind

Face up to this dismal fact: a hundred rupee note is coming to have the same value as the old tenner. Once it gets broken, the shrapnel ain’t worth the paper it’s minted on. And in 11 years, if a hundred can get frayed, what to say of golden oldies like the ‘phoren’ Sony two-in-one your uncle bought that played out your vinyl screams in those rock years. You didn’t ask to be born in a transition period between the mechanical and digital ages. But there you are—stuck with piles of electronic and magnetic junk!VCRs, audio/video tapes, unnamed floppies, aluminium antennae.... And where is that Bajaj which three hamara generations plied to the bazar? (Oh, it’s rusting under the stairwell right in line with the neighbour’s Amby growing roots under the jamun). The upheaval has been so fast and furious, a generation’s fond toys may be antique curios in their own lifetime. Like that bakelite 20-pounder, the original telephone that you dialled clockwise and heard an ominous whir as it slid back. Curse the mobile all you want: for disturbed etiquette, interrupted conversations, unsolicited offers, ghastly ringtones. Go on, be a nice Luddite, say you loved the winter-night queues outside those yellow matchbox booths for long-distance amour at quarter rates... And whither those slam-bang Remingtons? Even mySLR camera is geriatric. Who wants shaky when you can stir the pot?