Thinking back to my days in Delhi, one memory stands out: sleeping on the floor, even during winter. We used razais (thick blankets), but what did we sleep on? I can’t recall. A cot entered our home when I was around ten, but in Delhi, charpoys were more common. These woven cots, with their springy coir mesh, provided comfort and ventilation—perfect for restful sleep. 

In Chennai, we didn’t have cots for quite some time. We slept on mats with thin pillows, and it was heavenly. No one complained of backaches or stiffness, and we always woke up refreshed. Why, then, did we abandon such simple, effective solutions for modern beds? With mattresses came backaches, sneaking in like unwelcome guests. Even the cotton mattresses of yore were better—hard but breathable. 

Sofas followed the same pattern. Our first sofa wasn’t made of expensive wood; it had woven cane seats and backrests. The air circulated freely, and it was comfortable to sit on. Cushioned sofas arrived later, bringing along an unwelcome guest: piles. 

Even toilets evolved. The Indian-style squat toilet, which promotes better posture, gave way to Western-style commodes. With them came constipation—another unwelcome consequence. 

We now pay a premium for organic foods, but weren’t we already consuming organic produce in the past? Somewhere along the way, we lost touch with simplicity and started chasing convenience. 

In Delhi during the 1950s, families would take their ingredients to bakeries to have fresh biscuits made. These were stored in large tins, enough to last six months or more. Families traveling from Delhi to Chennai would bring these tins as gifts, along with modas—bamboo stools used for sitting. 

Why have we discarded these simple, useful items in favor of modern alternatives that offer little improvement? 

Contd. 377. 366 Decease Ease Peace