Shantanu Naidu, a close associate of the late industrialist Ratan Tata and a General Manager at Tata Motors, recently shared a nostalgic reflection on his childhood, emphasizing the joy of growing up without the influence of technology. In a video posted on LinkedIn, Shantanu Naidu fondly recalled the simplicity and freedom of his early years, highlighting how the absence of mobile phones made his generation’s childhood more enriching and memorable.
Dressed in corporate attire, Shantanu Naidu was seen preparing for work as he invited viewers to step back in time with him. “Come walk with me to a time when technology didn’t plague us,” he captioned the video, setting the tone for a heartfelt reminiscence of a world where summer vacations meant outdoor adventures rather than screen time.
Speaking in Marathi, the 32-year-old described how his childhood was filled with carefree moments—playing traditional games like “dabda ispice,” “chor-police,” and hide-and-seek. He laughed as he admitted he was often the one complaining to his mother about being troubled by other kids. Evenings were marked by the sound of prayers at 7 pm, signaling the end of playtime. Yet, he and his friends would sometimes hide so well that his mother struggled to find him, leading to a scolding once he finally returned home.
Shantanu Naidu’s recollections painted a vivid picture of a time when simple joys defined childhood—stealing mangoes and blackberries, chasing butterflies, racing bicycles, and passionately debating which cycle had the best gears or which motorcycle could best imitate a Neeta Volvo bus. He expressed gratitude for having lived in an era where childhood was defined by real experiences rather than digital distractions. “It is my generation’s biggest privilege that we didn’t have phones. And yet, all the memories are fresh pictures in our minds,” he reflected.
His thoughts resonated with many on LinkedIn, with users sharing similar sentiments. One comment read, “It’s funny how sometimes you have no photos or videos of the memories you cherished the most. They are all just memories in your head.” Another user wrote, “What a fortune to have lived without phones. This brings back so many childhood memories.”
Shantanu Naidu concluded his reflection with a thought-provoking statement—childhood, he believed, would have been ruined by phones, just as adulthood is now being consumed by them. As technology continues to dominate modern life, his words served as a poignant reminder of the value of unplugged moments and genuine human connections.
