New Year Reflections: Nostalgia of Diaries, cards...

New Year was once synonymous with excitement and anticipation. The joy of receiving New Year greeting cards, diaries, and calendars was unmatched—it was a season of celebration and connection.

- HNY Dr AL Sharada, Trustee, PopulationFirst

All these cards carried heartfelt, personalized messages for family and friends. Writing these messages was a cherished ritual. Receiving a card with just a signature, however, felt like "lazy courtesy" to me. Unlike today's quick emojis, we took the time to write real words and sentiments. Every card received was proudly displayed around the house before being carefully stored, treasured for the personal touch they carried.

Shopping had its own excitement during this season, as commercial establishments and banks gave out free calendars and diaries. As children, we eagerly collected these, sometimes to the irritation of our parents, who faced the challenging task of finding ways to repurpose the surplus. Calendars with pictures of deities were particularly problematic, as religious sentiments were attached to them, making it difficult to discard or repurpose them without thought.