an old timer's nostalgia.

In late 1950s civil lines market used to be very posh very clean,  single storied, uncrowded  and open. 

PALACE cinema at civil lines had a high status

. Balcony and first class in cinema halls cost rupees 2.25 and rupees 1.25 respectively and there was a student concession also. 

 LUCKY SWEET MART was the popular  tea and snacks restaurant in civil lines..  KOHLI PHOTO shop was a high status photography shop . There was another photography shop a little away from the market by the name of GLAMOUR  studio.

Jukebox was a craze at the BN Rama department  Store which used to charge 25 paise for one song. 

MASTONS was an elite tailoring shop next to Kohli photo . At rupees thirtyfive for stitching a woolen coat they were known to have one of the  highest rates in Northern India.  Close to the market was the posh Guzdhar restaurant. 

Rickshaw hiring charges from civil lines to Muir hostel was just 25 paise. BULAKI 's hair cutting salon adjacent to Palace cinema was patronised by affluent University students. The clock tower above the senate hall of the university had a clock identical to the big Ben of London and  its gongs were as powerful and  similar to the big Ben of London

. JAGATI was a very old restaurent  of University Road.

There were hardly any transister radios then in India . There was always a huge radio set in the common halls of the hostels and students used to gather there in big number to listen to cricket commentary and BINACA GEET MALA. Vizzy and Pearson sureta were the most well done cricket commentators and binaca Geet mala's . Amin Sayani was the man with a golden voice.

As I look back, in those days life was not as chaotic as in the present Times.