An Era and a New Year

“Whether the era is of yesterday or today, the essence of life is to live every moment fully. Why should we dwell on the bad times that have already passed? Instead, let us cherish the sweet memories that can make even the present moment joyful when remembered. Let us also spread that joy to the atmosphere around us. Not just the New Year, but every single day deserves to be celebrated. So, let us stay happy with ourselves and share happiness with everyone.” Nutrinirvana

The beginning of the New Year without a picnic programme was simply impossible. All of us children at home and those from the neighbourhood would get together and plan everything at least ten days before New Year’s Eve. Everyone would contribute a little from their pocket money to buy things for the picnic. By the 31st of December, all preparations would be complete.

Sometimes we held the picnic in the village fields, and sometimes right outside the house, where we would build a small tent out of old sheets and clothes. It looked so beautiful and cozy. Inside, we would make a little brick stove with wood, and on New Year’s Day, we celebrated our picnic there.

As for the food menu, sometimes it was sevaiya with puri, and other times it was pulav. Whatever the menu was, when we children cooked it together, even if the taste wasn’t perfect, the happiness we felt while eating it was beyond explanation.

In all these preparations, my grandmother and mother gave us their full support. Truly, those were such sweet and precious childhood days. This is how we children celebrated the New Year

At that time, there were no mobile phones; only landline phones existed, and even those were available in just a few houses in the neighbourhood. So, we used greeting cards to wish each other a Happy New Year. Yes, we were children of that era when wishing for the New Year meant either making greeting cards ourselves with craft work or buying them from the market and giving them to friends or family.

I still remember—when you opened the card, a flower would pop up, or sometimes the New Year message would appear in a 3D shape. The designs inside the cards were so creative, and everyone felt so happy while exchanging them.

Back then, the markets were overflowing with greeting cards; every shop was filled with them. Choosing the right design took a lot of time, deciding which one looked better and which one didn’t. Ha… ha… ha…

Even today, I am preparing for the New Year celebration with the same enthusiasm. Yes, I am helping my children with their celebration just as my mother used to help me. And truly, no matter what the time or era may be, it is very important to fully experience those moments, isn’t it?

As per the children’s demand, they said that for any celebration, gajar ka halwa must be made. So, on-demand gajar ka halwa is ready to mark the beginning of the New Year and to sweeten everyone’s mouths.

Dear Reader,

No matter the era—whether time gone by or the present—every moment holds a beautiful memory, or the present time is filled with the fullness of life. May this New Year bring love and happiness into your lives. May every dream come true, and may each and every day, every single moment, be filled with joy.

On behalf of Nutrinirvana, we wish you all a Happy New Year!

~Preeti 😊