Progress Nevertheless

Neighbors house was also our house. Today, one misses a dearly neighborhood.

Once upon a time we were also acquainted with their extended families. Today we don't know exactly how many members actually stay, next door.

We exchanged love, shared happiness, supported each other in sorrow. Today an occasional smile is hardly visible.

We could blindly trust our neighbor by leaving our keys at their house. Today we fear even if we are their in our own house.

One phone connected so many families. Now there are many phones but it allows to block people rather than bring them together.

Being a Maharashtrian, I still loved south Indian pulav, chicken and paysam since childhood. Coz we exchanged our culture with whole heart. Those days when we were specially invited if our favorite item was cooked in their kitchen. Now you find discrimination in housing complex on basis of religion and Veg-NonVeg eaters.

Festivals were celebrated in true spirits together. Environment filled with different colours, lights. Traditional display of our culture. Today its main intention is photo shoot.

Bonding with neighbors was natural. Today it seems to be done out of obligation.

We had less carpet area, still everyone was welcome as they were big hearted. Today its vice versa.

There were actual people living around us. Alive. Lively. Now we are surrounded by robots.

Yes we did progress, nevertheless. But something was lost in the process. The price paid seems to be heavy sometimes.

-SR.