My pen pals.

Hero Pen - Courtesy: Web

Dad was searching the whole house for one small thing this morning. He wanted a pen!
Do you 'own' a pen in today's world? It has been more than a decade since I owned and used a pen. It has become so redundant these days. Go to meetings, use laptop write notes. Talk over phone, use notepad on your laptop to write down something important. There is very little need for pen. It has become a borrowing item, "swalpa pen kodtheera?".

Owning a pen goes back to my school days. I have to write about stories how pens played a role in our lives then. Good pens were saved for the exams. If those pens turned lucky, they would be used only for the exam, and not for class notes. Ink pen, ball pen, and the so called expensive pen, 'hero' pen. Out of reach was Parker pen.

My brother hated pens. In first place, he hated writing :). Schools didn't permit using ball-point pens. Only ink pens were allowed in the class. I don't remember him using a single pen for more than 7 days. Either pens were unlucky or he was. Mom had to get him a pen very often. I do remember a few people coming to school advertising pens for Rs. 10. My brother purchased one of those. Sadly, that too didn't last long.

Talking about ink pens, one can recollect shabby kids with ink all over their hands trying to fill the pen with ink every morning. After filling, shake the pen and spray some ink all around the place. Sometimes, spray it on friend's shirt :(. So bad it was!

Coming to 'hero' pen - it was a boon. Only a few selected used it in a given class. First advantage everyone thought was it's filling ability - hassle free. Smooth writing too. Downside-delicate and needed good maintenance. One fall on the floor, pen is ready to reach the dustbin. I owned a 'hero' pen for many years and I still have it in my book shelf. It is now 18 years old. I used Chelpark black ink! Reynolds and Rotomac ruled the pen market during our collage days. Not to forget Raveena's ad - likhte likhte love hojaye.

In US, kids are deprived of pens! Schools, High schools, Undergrad and Grad schools - all use pencils. US is missing on the pen market ;). They have to learn from India.

Lastly, where is the need of pen-pals these days? Social networking is in place!