I have always loved everything old. Be it textiles, wood, glass, art, traditions. A Heritage Collective started by some friends seemed an ideal place for me as I indulged my passion.

It was launched some  years ago at a dilapidated building, 48B Mukta Ram Babu Street adjoining the grand Mullik Palace. The crumbling ruins spoke of a family living together. The courtyard had probably witnessed many Pujas, weddings, bereavement. The Verandah brought alive images of women basking on the sun, chopping vegetables or gossiping about the mother in law. Glorious, those laid back years. Nostalgia.

The cosy belongingness of a large joint family living in camaraderie and angst of people politics. Nevertheless a human connect. The children, living with cousins learning to share, the extended family there to celebrate happy and sad moments. A society bonded by emotions and involvement. Concern and care.

Fast forward to the spiffy high rises, a box with many well-appointed apartments, maybe ten on the same floor. As many people, maybe more than 48B Muktaram Babu Street. Small nuclear families, double income households to provide better, latch key kids, serving themselves, waiting for parents to return.

A world that now revolves around the virtual world. Face time, Snap chats, electronic mail, a lifestyle that is impersonal, lonely and ostensibly perfect. No khich khich of a mother in law, getting the corner office with the best cars, vacations and living the dream literally. Is it a dream where depression rules the roost, no one to share joys or sorrows with? Living alone! A highrise floor with maybe 40 people living side by side, courteously greeting each other, not knowing names and getting lost in the whirl of so called modern living.

48B, a ruin, any day for me. I need people, I need family, I need real time interactions. Dated, antiquated, old, conservative, unpainted, raw, not with it. These are my top of the list choices. No glitz and chrome and castles almost literally in the air for me.

The premises restored,  A glorious revival.  Resurrection, revival, a way ahead!