Impersonally Yours

Nothing can beat The Warmth of a handwritten letter

Does ‘letter’ mean only an alphabet? ‘The Letters’—work by Vermeer? The ‘Letters Patent’- as in patent law or a type of writ? The letter has varied meanings. But to me, it means mere communication.

From the medieval to modern times. Man has moved many a miles, mostly forward. But in the matters of letters, the progress has been mostly backward. Just recall the 14th century. We had ‘mounted couriers’, even ‘runners’, delivering letters. Today we have the poor postman going around the town even villages. Facing the hot sun and the cold winter on an old rickety bicycle. With a sack full of letters, parcels and postcards to add on to his burden.

Letters have been written through the ages. And these are not mere ‘winged messengers of Love’ or just a source of news about the near ones. Letters have added to language and literature. They have enriched human thought. Locke’s ‘The Epistola de Tolerantia’published in 1689, embodied a plea for ‘tolerance in religion’. More than hundred years later, Burke’s ‘Letter to a Noble Lord’ was published. It is still considered ‘as the greatest piece of invective in the English language’. At home Nehru’s letters to her daughter have given insights into variety of topics.

But can one continue to write long letters even today? Have we the time? Or the inclination? Or even the patience to read? Pocket permitting, probably some would still write.

Till Recently, Letter writing was next to nothing. A postcard cost paltry ‘Twenty-five Paisa; a sealed envelope was available for about a rupee. Undoubtedly there has been a steady rise in the rates. During my dad’s time, in early sixties, I remember him telling me, sending a ten-paged letter for a mere ten Paisa. Not merely to my mom but to others too. “Those days were good, there was plenty of leisure. Writing letters was a real pleasure.” He’d say.

He has witnessed a steep rise in prices and steady decline in service. To top it all the postal prices have gone up again. A registered letter is prohibitive, even the acknowledgement is expensive.

I sometimes wonder my parents were lucky in a way. They could afford the luxury of writing long letters to mere acquaintances and even to short-term friends.

My dad being in army, He was not always with me. But he always used to write letters to me, and beautiful. Be it the enchanting hills and dales of Assam & Meghalay, or be it the beauty of Thar Desert in full moon resembling sea of shining silver. These letters are a clear chronicle of events, memorials of bygone days. I can really relive the old days through these pieces of parchment.

While writing letters, one used to pay attention to trifles. Put a gloss on faint deed; add a measure of mystery to even a minor matter. These used to be an expression of affection, some sweet sentiments expressed freely. Thanks to the new ‘Virus’ sent by the finance ministry, it is becoming hard to keep the old contacts alive.

Today, we live in the age of electronic mail. Better known as E- Mail. There is no pen or paper, just the lifeless keyboard and the computer screen staring blankly at you. Everything is written and dispatched mechanically, even picked up from one of the available options. No emotions, no sentiments. It does not give the warmth of a handwritten letter. It cannot be preserved for a lifetime. The ‘Virus’ can attack any time. Then all gets lost. In no time and forever.

Old is gold, It is still true. Even the old system of letters is better.