THE AGE OF INNOCENCE!!
The post colonial period aroused us from our stupor induced by our bondage . We Indians shook ourselves and gradually plunged into diverse realms of hectic activity .From agriculture to academics to aviation the progress was phenomenal. However, that was the era of untainted innocent youngsters infused with the quest for knowledge combined with ethics .They dared to now dream of better futures and their nascent dreams coupled with their diligence did give them rich dividends which was in the larger interest of the developing nation .
Today we are still a developing nation , vigourously engaged in a frenetic pace of heightened activity striving to carve a niche in various capacities and to realise our Big dreams. But alas in the midst of all this we have somehow lost our earlier innocence which has now been replaced with an aggressiveness as we are in a frantic hurry to fulfil our goals.
Reminiscing about yesteryears if we look back at the time when ladies were not professionally inclined or career - oriented due to lack of initiative also avenues and more importantly mindsets that restricted their lives within the precincts of their abodes ....some of their counterparts had stepped into the aviation sector which provided job opportunities to a select few as gradually the aviation sector was coming alive with international travel opening up. It was this that brought to the forefront our dignified , elegant gorgeous and chic airhostesses , well- groomed well-bred and adept in their field . The charm and poise that they exuded through their graceful swan- like saris and their gentle demeanour was indeed captivating for the fortunate flyers .
This envious lot though sometimes condescended by the chauvinistic then orthodox temperaments were however the first of the female professionals ....one of the first career women of their times. Though progressive and forward - thinking this charismatic glamorous sect for whom even the skies were not the limit but who were very much on terra firma achieved great success in assaying their challenging roles .
Although the western influences had begun to encroach into our traditional social fabric with the hippy culture and the hip hop songs of The Beatles being played on our gramophones much to the chagrin of the elders , yet there was an element of innocence and simplicity . With no or hardly any media hype ....privacy was respected and preferred in stark contrast to the present trend of hogging the limelight and craving for publicity. That helped in a way of retaining this innocence and simplicity . There was less of manoeuvring , manipulation , connivance and conspiracy...life was less complex and more peaceful.
The television ushered in more career opportunities for women. A new genre of women journalists and news readers /news reporters entered our living rooms updating us about happenings across the country and abroad .Their simple and sober on- screen appearance in their dignified saris , their calm , composed and controlled well-modulated voices during news readings even if they were enumerating disastrous and ignominous incidents , had a fulfilling impact on the viewers. Never did we see them agitated or loud ...rather they wore a gentle smile on their pleasant faces which somehow was very soothing for the audiences as compared to our new-age female brigade of stylishly -clad -in -Western Wear journalists , with all due regards to this laborious and energetic breed , are so emphatically aggressive, appear ,so stressed and an anxious lot with their high - pitched agitated voices , almost fanatical ,provocative and instigative tone that listening to them becomes painful and one turns off the Idiot Box in disgust !
That earlier sauveness and sangfroid is sadly missing and that chastity and impeccability is drowned in the roar of their almost hostile and abominable articulate presentations .
To imagine a return of bygone times is wishful thinking . The Age of Innocence can just be cherished as precious memories. We can only keep our hopes alive for a revival of that pristine purity , unpretentiousness and salubrity!
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