Kamal Baruah
(kamal.baruah@yahoo.com)
As he entered the lobby, he found no way to reach for a token. The hall was so packed that he couldn’t find a seat. There has been much higher footfall during the first week of a month. Long waiting hours, minimal breaks, and angry crowds put a lot of pressure on bank employees. It also draws the ire of the milling crowds. While D Mahanta, a retired engineer, was impatient to be on his way to the single window, “Where is the priority token for senior citizens?" However, the service manager responded to his grin with a smile. He apologized for the customers’ inconvenience and politely conveyed him to wait awhile to catch up with the next call. He also whispered into his ear that those waiting customers are all senior citizens only. The aggrieved customer realized the situation and sat on the corner waiting for his turn, no matter how long it took.
Obviously, there are inconveniences at PSU banks, but what makes them come here for cash regardless of ATM or UPI-based payment apps? The banking sector witnessed a rise in cases of fraud, despite the fact that fraudsters often deceive under the pretext of helping senior citizens. But that isn’t the only reason, yet customers, rather surprisingly, especially pensioners’ love for banks’ ambience, In fact, the place gives them the opportunity to meet friends. Having a cellphone has completely changed social life. Young people are constantly texting and tweeting, but older people come out for social interaction where it’s open and accessible to all, regardless of differences. Thus, they spend a day with friends, rejoicing at drawing a pension.
People discover their common passions in pubs and restaurants. College Street ‘Coffee House’ in Kolkata has been for a long time a regular hangout and a renowned meeting place for intellectuals and students. The ‘India Club’ (Restaurant) in London, a meeting place for writers and intellectuals associated with India’s independence movement, has just closed its shutters recently. The fact that people are there—something connected with public places such as post offices, banks, etc.—makes them feel happy and is probably the reason for going there. A soulful platter of paratha-sabji and tea at ‘Mahamaya’ was just more than a food joint. The corner of the busy chowk at Panbazar Guwahati had now lost its lustre.
The Georgian-style architecture of circles and radial roads at Connaught Place witnesses lots of energetic activities. I was posted there in the 90s and remember coming for a bite. We would go to the movies at ‘Regal’, and put in our young energy by running around the circles on Saturdays. We go out during the night and sleep by day. That was a lot of fun. It’s one of the most happening and chilled-out places in New Delhi. Attractive offers and discounts on top brands are the delights of shopping lovers. Back then, it took a few hours at CP, and we would come for some sambhar vada, idli, or upma at ‘Coffee Home’ by the side of Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
The eatery spread over a huge area. Having a cutting chai was quite a regular affair for many. The affordable cost of the filter coffee makes it appeal to most people in Delhi and become a popular destination. On my first visit, I noticed that one side of all the tables was occupied by senior citizens, mostly Punjabis and Haryanvi people, except for one table with bags hanging on top backs over four chairs. Soon I tried to grab that place; I heard something loud from an adjacent table. “Puttar (son), that’s reserved”. They drop in for a chat over tea and snacks for the entire day, where others aren’t welcome despite it left vacant. They play bridge and sip the last drop of coffee until dusk. It’s amazing; the restaurant serves them hot-cutting chai in special glasses instead of cups. That was something worthwhile.
Others don’t expect to get a table at Coffee Home. No matter how much seating inconvenience there is during the lunch hours of the day, we would rather sit at an outdoor garden table under a Peepal tree. Soon after the pendulum clock struck at 5 o'clock in the evening, they all started leaving. At that time, it was our turn to get someplace to eat over there. Even food servers heaved a sigh of relief from the urban platter when they left. But we would go out after their departure and order more karak chai and burgers before it shuts down at 8 p.m.
It’s an everlasting reminder of those evenings when the senior citizen used the most of their time in post-retirement life. One cutting chai, please; it’s a line that every person in metros is well versed in. Having a cutting chai is quite a regular affair at Coffee Home. You don’t get to see a full glass instead of a half glass. It’s their day off that day. Senior citizens make the most of their post-retirement life.
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