Things: Then and Now

Change is the only constant? This is a list of Then and Now for the following :

1. Mobile Phones and their Tariff Plans: Imagine a world where you had to pay for incoming calls. A missed call could cost as much as Rs 11! This is not a hypothetical scenario taken out of a horror movies, it is the reality that was telecom tariffs just 8-10 years ago. Compare this with the recent ruling of TRAI making per second tariffs mandatory. We have come a long way!

Earlier generation mobile phones beat the definition of mobility. Some of them were so big that they made cordless phones (anyone remember these?) look miniscule. Enter Nokia. The 3200 and 1100, the icons of cellular communication in India. You could be involved in a train wreck and be half dead but these would still come out alive and kicking.

2. Movie Theaters: If you have lived long enough, you will remember the good old days of movie watching. Standing in the ticket queues for 45 minutes. Having 2 Samosas and a cold drink and a popcorn all for Rs 30. Buying tickets in black right outside the theatre!

Now fast forward to reality. A popcorn today costs as much as 2 movies tickets 5 years ago. Its good that seats don’t smell like someone has just pissed on them, but paying up to Rs 400 for a normal weekend ticket goes way above almost everyones pay packet. (This I say for the unlucky few who live in south bombay or the eastern suburbs). Its sad that we don’t have balcony and stall seating anymore, although the whistlers and hooters are still going strong! Someone should tell this to Mulayam Singh, he just might bring reservation in movie halls too.

3. Cartoons on TV: Cartoon Network, that too in English. Need I say more?

Everyone would remember coming home from school and propping your butt in front of the TV as Cartoon Network was available only till 6pm. This increased to 8pm then 10pm and then one fine day, God decided to be so generous to the children-kind and make it a 24 hours channel! You probably dint know it then, but thats as close you would have been to having an orgasm.

Cartoons today have lost their charm, and I don’t think there are many who would disagree. Take Swat Kats as an example, would you prefer the English name or the newer Dhatui Bille? Ben 10 over the Centurions? I don’t think so!

4. Competitive Exams: (Read CET, JEE, AIEEE, HSC and the works..)

My Nana (grandfather) once told me how he got into IIT. He said he had got 46% in his HSC and wanted to pursue Civil and Mechanical Engineering because big machines fascinated him. There was this new thing called the IIT that was set up by the government which had room for 800 students but only 420 had applied. Yes, once upon a time there were more seats in IIT than the number of students who wanted to enroll. Fast forward 50 or so years and it shows just how much things have changed. The hierarchical procedure of getting into IITs has transformed beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. The coaching classes and the coaching classes for the coaching classes have spawned a whole economy on their own. This is how the transformation has happened:

1950s: Study Well -> Get into an IIT

1980s: Study Well for entrance exam -> Get into an IIT

2000s: Attend coaching -> Study well for entrance exam -> Get into an IIT

2012: Study Well for the entrance exam for the coaching class for the IIT exam -> Give entrance exam for IIT coaching class -> Attend coaching -> Study Well for entrance exam -> Get into an IIT !!!!



5. Price of Petrol: There was a time when a long drive or date with your female friend did not factor in the cost of petrol as a variable. Just 10 years back it was Rs 30 per litre. Today it is Rs 78. Beer costs cheaper! Dont drive, only drink is the new mantra.

A clever answer by the oil minister to a a protester was, “Look at Pakistan, they pay Rs 98 /litre of petrol. Yea well they do manage to diversify its uses to justify the price. (Petrol Bombs, Burning buildings etc etc.).

Diesel car owners don’t smile and gloat in your glory, you will burn in hell one day!!

Ek boond petrol ki kimat tum kya jaano ramesh babu…

6. Locals Trains:

Well there are some things that don’t change. And no matter what you do, they will never change. Even if the number of bogies in a train is made 20 and the color changed again to pink or white, the number of people in a local train will remain the same. God Bless our local trains!