21 Things That Were Considered Luxury For Indians Who Grew Up In The 90s
So, what were those few things which you considered really a luxury and wanted to own during your childhood? As a kid who grew up poor in the last sane generation of 80s and early 90s, I always wanted my parents to buy me a Hero Ranger bicycle and I also wanted to watch those DD serials on color TV sitting at home every Sunday. Sometimes, I dreamt that my dad drove me to school on scooter. Here are a few things which were considered luxury for many people like me who grew up in the middle class family in India in the 90s..
1. Owning a Heros Hansa or Atlas cycle was considered totally cool and not many kids could get it.
2. A color television set with a cable connection – probably the most luxurious item in every middle class Indian family.
3. Gas stove – your mom used to cook for you everyday in that hazardous kerosene stove before gas stove replaced it.
4. Bajaj Scooter – your dad dropped you to school in his scooter and you felt proud in front of your friends.
5. Luna
6. Birthday cake – Remember, how happy and excited you were when your parents bought lovely cake and invited your friends in your birthday party.
7. Cadbury chocolates – you could not afford more than one or two.
Cadbury
8. And if you are a girl, you surely must have dreamt of buying at least one Barbie Doll which your parents could not afford so easily.
9. Sony walkman – lucky you could own one. You could boss around.
10. Or this – tape recorder.
11. Or this Casio watch – Trying to get good marks in exams just for this as your parents promised.
Casio vis Manikarthik
12. Branded shoes – they were limited to only two brands – Bata and Liberty
They are still considered the most durable shoes brand.
Bata via MTV
13. And you can’t forget this light up sneakers…
14. Fancy school stationeries – Remember those magnetic Camel compass box and Crayon colors?
15. Eating out in a restaurant with a family or getting an ice cream treat from your dad…occasionally.
16. You always dreamt of flying one day.
17. And you always wanted to take a ride in Ambassador car or Maruti 800.
Maruti via abhisays
18. Video games – you played Super Mario and Contra games at your friend’s house a lot but you wished you owned one for yourself.
Feel proud, if you owned one. 🙂
19. Landline phone – one was enough for the entire joint family.
20. Having 2 rupees note in your pocket was a big deal for you.
21. And I wish I could have this everyday in the morning.
Left image: junktechie
What luxury means for kids these days…
Left image: DNA India; right image: The Hindu/Nagara Gopal
