So many years later, some things may gel into each other and people somewhat older than I will have things to add or correct. I would like to paint a picture of the old town of early sixties for the reader. First of all there was no Haryana. The bus stop was called Capital Bus Stand at Mathura road and Railway Road intersection. People gave their mailing address as Old Faridabad (Near Delhi). Apparently, Faridabad Township officially New Industrial Township (often called Taunship by people) was limited to Ek number, Do Number, Teen Number and 4 Number areas. Of course, for little kids like me, those areas might well have been another city, as we went there probably once in a few months to go for a movie in the two movie halls, Neelam and Metro.
Our little town on the other hand was so sleepy that Capital bus from Delhi (Kashmiri gate ) once in an hour if all was well. The bus drivers and conductors, were locals and knew the towns folks very well. Hence, if one was walking down by mathura road, they would stop and pick you up. Sometimes, if a well known citizen was expected to be taking the bus at a certain time but were running late, the conductor didn't mind having an extra long tea break so the "sawari" could join in. I don't remember any Punjab Roadways bus. Trains were even rarer and used only for travel to distant places. I believe, there was "shuttle" train service between Palwal and Delhi for shopkeepers and daily passengers.
Local mode of travel was rickshaws, that were actually so well and cleanly kept by their owners unlikely the chinese versions one sees currently. Tongas or Rehras were in use for most of Sixties. Cycles were a very common mode of individual transport. It was not unusual to have families ride on a single bike. In the mornings roads including Mathura road were full of cycles with workers going to the handful of factories. A few people had Lambrettas and Vespas. A handful had cars. It was not unusual for cars of these eminent people borrowed by many of their relatives and friends. THERE WERE NO TRAFFIC JAMS !!! Honking of horns was rare and kind of fun. !!. Air on these roads and streets was breathably clean.
Will outline the layout of the town and its eminent families in the next post.
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