We learn that when we grow old, we must choose to give up on many things from our younger years. However, we also believe that something far more fulfilling will come but in reality, life seems to be a constant battle between a nostalgia for the past and a fear of the unpredictable future.
The recent demolition of the Secunderabad Railway Station was a stark reminder that life is not in our hands. A place that was filled with memories was simply gone within a week, and will be a replaced by an ugly metal/glass structure, without paying any homage to architecture of the past.
This isn’t the first time that I have experienced this in my city – many places that I held with deep regard disappeared over the past decade, either to be replaced by a new spot that has no charm of the old, or to be simply gone with the widening of the road. I miss all the simple Irani chai cafes where one could sit undisturbed enjoying chai and biscuits – they have been replaced by a fried chicken franchise and car decor showrooms. I miss the dive bars where the rum was cheaper than the Thums Up. I miss the charm of going to the library, the kirana shop, and the juice centre.
City planning is changing from a focus on people and convenience, to a focus on cars and capitalism. Footpaths barely exist in a usable manner which forces people to buy bikes & cars, we isolate several parts of the society by forcing everything to be done via an ‘app’ or a ‘website’, normal products are being pushed towards a ‘premium’ segment in an attempt to raise prices, and I feel that quality of life is being lost in this race towards speed/convenience/money.
The loss of physical spaces is one thing, but growing up is also the loss of people that we loved, the loss of goals that we once hoped would come true, the loss of ambitions that are incompatible with reality, the loss of friends that grow apart in different countries, the loss of little habits that meant a lot, the loss of optimism and a sense of wonderment.
At my relatively young age, I already feel a deep sense of loss. I wonder how the older generation has coped with seeing their city being ripped apart at the seams and watching memories fade away into nothingness.
Growing up is a metaphor for letting go. There is no other choice.
Currently listening to – Svefn-g-englar by Sigur Rós
Currently reading – Monocle February 2025 Issue
Currenly watching – House of Cards on Netflix
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