We all remember our first black and white image that we saw in “our” television set in the early 1980’s. The black and white television set was community sponsored electronic gadget, the neighbours had the same ownership that of the real owner.

The programmes that were part of the Doordarshan were Vikram Aur Betal, Chitrahaar, Appu Aur Pappu, Aa Bail Mujhe Maar, Ek Do Teen Char (Title song: Ek do teen char, chaaro mil ke saath chale to karde chamatkar). Around these programmes our world used to revolve.

Now, it is very tough, probably impossible to keep track of the programmes aired on dozen of television channel. Comparing with those golden days one would surely conclude that the soul of India has changed, India has made headway to many fields.

Well, in today’s market driving market with advertisement tag vociferously connected to each programme put on air; in those days, the advertisement were that of Nirma, Kayam Churen, Rooh Afza, Rasna (I Love You Rasana!!), Cinkara (hamdard ka tonic CINKARAAA…), Fevicol (elephant tug of war), Liril, and Surf (lalita ji). Those were the brands and the necessity items for the people.

How one could forget Wednesday 8 o’clock Chitrahaar? Not possible to forget since it come as the only window to the world of filmi songs. It was the only dose for entertainment in the weekdays. And now, whole channel is devoted to entertainment and is a inseparable entity of any channels.

At that time there was misconception prevailing that a television in home was a nuisance, disturbing the studies of children. No prize for guessing, the television we had had a wooden window with lock facility.

Then came the Ramayana fever of the great epic. Its popularity reached such a zenith point that the entire nation used to come to a virtual stop. And now, can anyone cite such a programme, which had the same intensity. Ramayana was the programme which people from any faiths devoured.

You remember, TA NA NA NA NA NA …!! Yes, Malgudi Days. How was it? Krishi Darshan – Agriculture based show. Shanti – Mandira bedi. Vyomkesh Bakshi. Sigma. Indradhanush. Fauji, Humlog, Buniyaad, Chunauthi, Circus, He-man, Mungerilal, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Udaan, Yogi. Surabhi (Sidharth Kak or Renuka Sahani), Bharat Kee Khoj, and The Sword Of Tipu Sultan.

How was the “Gumshuda Talaash Kendra” short programme? National integration programme like “Ek Anak Aur Ekta” cartoon, Mile Sur Mera tumhara. And the news for the hearing impaired.

And how were the School Chale Hum, Param Vir Chakra, Ducktales, Mickey And Mouse, Gul Gulshan Gulfaam, Hello Zindagi, Khali Haath, The World This Week, Alice in Wonderland programmes. And at last the Mahabharata.

There is no point in saying as our options have increased it has its inverse effect on our choice and the attachment we carry. In the present time we watch heart throbbing programmes in the name of entertainment. There is nothing on air to feel associated with our neighbours and relatives. The time has changed and so is our country and its people.