Rewinding Time: A Nostalgic Journey Through the Simplicity of the 80s

Recently, a friend's email sparked a delightful journey down memory lane, leading me to compile my own list of fond memories from growing up in the 80s. Life was undeniably simpler back then, and I bet many of you have your own cherished recollections from that era.

Reliving the Unforgettable 80s: From Ink Stains to Iconic TV Shows

Riding to school was a whole different experience - either perched on the back of Dad's Vespa scooter, nestled in the family Fiat 1100D, or pedaling away on an Atlas cycle. The concept of school vans or private transporters was unheard of.


Traffic signals and jams were non-existent; schools started early in the morning and wrapped up by late afternoon.


Making a long-distance call was an event in itself – you had to book a 'trunk call' and eagerly await the callback from the operator, who always seemed more lively than today's automated voices.


When it came to soft drinks, choices were limited but cherished - Thums Up, Torino, or Goldspot. These drinks came in sturdy bottles, often marked by a ring of yellow or red where the cap had been pried open.


Returning home from school often meant scrubbing off stubborn ink stains from our hands, courtesy of those perpetually leaking ink pens.


Following a cricket test match meant sneaking to the canteen radio or clustering around the one student with a pocket transistor during recess, especially when the West Indies team, with their seemingly invincible lineup, was playing.


TV evenings were predictable yet eagerly awaited - 'Krishi Darshan' at 7 pm, followed by 'Jan Hai Jahan Hai'. Prime time was reserved for 'Chitrahaar' or 'Living Planet' during the week.


Dedicated TV serial watching was a ritual – 'Humlog', 'Khandaan', 'Nukkad', 'Byomkesh Bakshi', each had their own set of loyal viewers.

Television Time Capsule: The Classic Shows and Ads of the 80s

Sundays on Doordarshan were a marathon of varied shows - morning spiritual sessions, children's serials, and family dramas like 'Rajni' and 'Wagle Ki Duniya'.


The ads accompanying these shows were classics in their own right - Vicks, Nirma, Bajaj, Colgate, and more, each with its distinctive jingle and charm.

The Era of Doordarshan: Sunday Rituals and Regional Cinema

Sunday afternoons were reserved for regional movies, often melancholic art films, followed by the much-loved 'Vikram aur Betaal' in the evenings.


News broadcasts were straightforward, often marred by technical glitches, but free from the opinionated debates of today.


The news was different then - no mentions of terrorism or global warming. 'The World This Week' focused on the Cold War, the Iran-Iraq conflict, and other global issues.


And who could forget the frequent 'Rukawat ke liye khed hai' interruptions during TV broadcasts, or the adventure of watching pirated movies on VCRs, complete with their distorted images, crackling sounds, and intrusive advertising subtitles?


Those days might be gone, but the nostalgia remains, a sweet reminder of a simpler, perhaps more innocent time.