by: Dr. Rizwan Rumi
Once, the postman was a cherished figure in every household. His khaki uniform, the familiar bicycle bell, and the satchel brimming with letters held a promise of connection, emotion, and anticipation. Today, the internet has all but erased his footsteps, replacing the handwritten letters with instant messages and emails. In this digital age, we’ve gained speed but have we lost something profound in the process?
The Golden Era of Letters
There was a time when the arrival of the postman brought joy and excitement. A letter from a loved one carried more than words—it held the essence of the sender. The paper bore the warmth of their hands, the ink flowed with emotions and the envelope often carried the faint scent of a distant place.
In those days, the act of writing a letter was a ritual. People carefully chose their words, knowing that what they wrote would linger, sometimes for decades. Every stroke of the pen reflected thought and feeling. Waiting for a letter was an exercise in patience and its arrival was a moment to savor.
The Digital Shift
Today, communication is instant and convenience reigns supreme. Emails and messages deliver information faster than the postman ever could. But in this quest for efficiency, we’ve traded depth for brevity. The hurried nature of digital communication lacks the personal touch that makes handwritten letters so special.
Think of how a message, sent and read within seconds, pales compared to the deliberate effort of crafting a letter. A letter could be folded and kept under a pillow, re-read on lonely nights, or tucked away in a drawer to be rediscovered years later. Can a text message ever evoke such sentiment?
The Postman’s Legacy
The postman was more than a messenger; he silently witnessed life’s many stories. He delivered love letters that sparked romances, official notices that shaped destinies, and postcards from travelers who brought the world closer. Each envelope he carried held a story waiting to unfold.
His visits were moments of connection, a break from the monotony of daily life. Families would gather around, eager to see what he brought. His role was not just logistical but deeply emotional, tying people together across miles and memories.
A Nostalgic Revival
As the world hurtles forward, there is a growing yearning to bring back the charm of handwritten letters. Imagine the joy of receiving a letter today, a relic from a time when communication was deliberate and meaningful. Writing a letter requires time and effort, which is a gesture of love and care.
Rediscovering the art of letter writing can be an antidote to the haste of modern life. It can teach us to pause, reflect, and express ourselves in ways that go beyond the limits of a keyboard.
A Call to Remember
The postman may no longer ring the bell as often, but his legacy lives on. He reminds us of a time when communication was slower but richer when words carried weight, and when waiting made receiving all the more rewarding.
Let us honor the era of the postman by embracing the timeless art of letter writing. Let us put pen to paper, seal our thoughts in an envelope, and send a piece of ourselves to someone we care about. In doing so, we not only keep a beautiful tradition alive but also reclaim a sense of connection that the digital age has diminished.
For in every corner of the world, someone is waiting for a letter—a tangible reminder that they are thought of, loved and remembered. And perhaps, one day, the postman will ring the bell again, carrying with him not just a message, but a little bit of magic.
The writer is a columnist based in Srinagar.
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