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Author: 
Subodh Mathur

This website preserves personal memories of India and Indians for future generations.

We recognise that memories are often subjective, contextual and fuzzy.

Subodh Mathur, who lives in USA, is the Chief Editor. Contact: indiaofthepast@gmail.com

Rakshat Hooja, who lives in India, is an Editor. Contact: rakshat@hooja.net

Details

The website's aim is to "capture personal/family memories of Indians and India that are at least 50 years old." This includes non-Indians in India, and also Indians outside India.

Currently, the time period for most stories is 1969 or earlier. For major national events, the time period is 1989 or earlier.

The idea is to allow interested people in 2050 to get a sense of what life in India was like around 100 years ago or so.

At present, the website does not allow analysis, commentary, or researched articles. Just memories.

Anyone can contribute their stories in any Indian language. There is no pre-set format or length. However, most stories go through at least one revision before we post them.

Old family photos are welcome. At present, the site does not feature video or audio recordings, but links to Youtube, etc. are welcome.

The site operates on a zero-revenue model: no ads, no donations, no sponsors. There is no payment for a contribution\; the copyright remains with the author.

Please scan the website to see the types of stories people have written. In particular, there is no focus on nationally or regionally significant events. It's just as welcome to write about family events, school life, sports, games, dramatics. For example,

http://www.indiaofthepast.org/contribute-memories/read-contributions/life-back-then/500-youthful-cricket-days-in-jaipur-1960s

http://www.indiaofthepast.org/contribute-memories/read-contributions/life-back-then/489-once-upon-a-time-train-journey-from-bangalore-to-mysore

http://www.indiaofthepast.org/contribute-memories/read-contributions/stories-about-men/643-great-memories-of-a-great-grandfather

Comments

Submitted by gannettm@gmail.com on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 04:07
Third class conditions improved somewhat 50 years after Mahatma wrote of pestinential conditions. Cycle forward to 1966. A 22 year old American Peace Corps Volunteer travels in third class: it was our rule. Returning from leave from Madras to Jaipur, I slept under a wooden bench. How I slept I have no idea and awakened to find myself covered in dritty soot, blown in the open window on a stifling hot September night. A man opposite had spent the night under the opposing bench. He was remonstrating the loss of his valise, having awoken still clutching the handle, which had been separated from the valise during the night. The compartment was as packed as Gandhiji described. How could have happened? If others were aware who the culprit was who relieved the valise from the handle, no one was saying.

Submitted by Henry on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:35
Also Peace Corps 1966. I was sitting in a crowded 3rd class train car, the only foreigner. While wide awake and with my bag between my knees a fellow grabbed my bag at a station stop. Because so many people were crowding to get on the train, he had to drop my bag and I retrieved it, "saved" by third class. H.