Late 90s to Early 2000s: A Childhood Wrapped in Candy Wrappers & Cassette Tape

9 July, 2025 Credit: Pexels

Natraj Pencils & Camel Geometry Boxes

[{"selector":"#anim-efa276bb-1e76-4eb9-9c34-6a8e65ee82a6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2fdbeb2-05fe-4484-b33a-c66c5c739737","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c17c00fe-4fea-48c1-87b6-6b33da9f9a5e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57c65730-7343-4b72-949c-851ee48d62bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db67d4ae-ffd0-468a-9bf5-56fad293c448","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.95850%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3e4fc87a-aa22-4106-8973-c0fead055b2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-236e4373-a517-4268-88cf-39fce2143de9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3da8a9a-c7fa-4998-b220-d1ff7f4f1d23","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5248b39f-c34c-4662-b726-1c3d2716e1e1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 463.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Owning a well-sharpened Natraj pencil felt elite. And that tin geometry box? Ultimate classroom treasure. Credit: Flickr

Shaka Laka Boom Boom & Son Pari

[{"selector":"#anim-ffaad6d0-43cb-4e02-ac07-66428ce1609a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d2ae4f1-ba06-4e65-ac20-7ddefdf677fb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-34ce39e0-5c08-464d-a717-802489d58193","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0b27e7a-1ae3-4b47-8725-334d088bb6dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3bac46b3-a31f-4587-bab3-a0b855fb8bae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.95850%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5996e6d-63ef-49d2-b4f3-3021232e41e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-584267ce-84bb-45d7-b24d-de16d9dbbeb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8473abfc-6f40-400e-887a-b30709f0453b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6904310f-b43c-41d5-a459-bc5051316e59","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Magical pencils and fairy godmothers? We didn’t need cartoons when Indian TV was this wild. Credit: Wikipedia

Phantom Cigarettes, Poppins & Big Babol

[{"selector":"#anim-d1c5f915-78f4-4ee5-8fa5-f5aa45620b4c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, -0.000001358578920473974%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47766d28-681a-49d9-be26-f4a771cfd7f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9b1c398-7862-43ed-9763-6c1a7b58c308","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-144ab138-c37a-4405-a496-063601f358a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f07755e-d1ea-406f-9160-0b20c1366486","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.95850%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2484adf9-7f22-49e1-89c8-8aa4aea52386","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-847d1ade-7594-4f0b-b059-ff1679cd3711","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85b1dfa1-3eca-4cf0-ba0a-73f78b69b532","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5a70eae-3ad9-49f9-94cf-70722c8f52d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 463.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] We acted cool with candy smokes and colourful poppins. And those giant bubbles? Pure childhood victory. Credit: Pexels

Walkmans, Cassette Tapes & FM Radios

[{"selector":"#anim-82c70d5e-40da-403c-93ce-e4104fa91257 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca513537-d2bf-4b28-8222-258d4a9a5f77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec0c4170-1287-40cb-ab9f-c29bf377a0de","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d99fd5f1-e4d5-458e-a693-7cbbfdc277a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32080d67-4483-436e-b203-b9b01c7d6378","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.85616%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b195a396-5e86-43d0-b72d-bb1c94c335da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57fca5c0-9209-4dab-b5d0-0d5ae8c67808","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c20735b-4b11-4f27-a4ed-c024e2d298be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c197e0ae-93d6-4592-ba23-abdde9e5cf2e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 463.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] We had to rewind with pencils; literally. And tuning into Radio Mirchi was peak coolness. Credit: Pexels

Slam Books & Autograph Diaries

[{"selector":"#anim-df92f3d9-0491-42fd-bb87-182fafedfb7f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e86af49-491b-4b14-abeb-14d1d3a62ff2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b9e4ae5-4d7c-4c67-92d7-1e63c814d4dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95892f5e-95c8-47f6-a541-b63da48fdc79","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d948122-086a-4c37-b9a8-c6d1f34d4032","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.85616%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c32738c-4df9-4e7b-b78f-4a34da11e6d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bfb57670-9e81-47ef-b821-e199e9a8c54a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-244b067f-0065-49b7-a20f-a00565d7f176","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4b2fb17-b57d-4d15-8ad2-8eed55eb01a5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 463.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Before Instagram bios, we wrote — “Crush: Secret” and “Best Friend: You” Credit: Pexels

Rasna, Frooti & Glucon-D Ads

[{"selector":"#anim-403e570e-4047-4fa3-8171-c080874429e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab051954-3003-4d34-8a24-fe5d07e163a3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac3b65d4-d85b-470e-8aeb-a38f8f055861","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0edfcf92-52f0-4875-a1a8-44bcbe7c97a7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3cb3f81-6822-4959-b59d-c530014a13bf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.85616%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97e8e3f4-60f3-4f71-aa65-1870e966abed","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db54479a-2d91-4d25-b745-aeb5323b5ba7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0115594-aa8c-420d-b676-7bd18d4db967","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-efe46403-6858-460c-9db8-0824b62dadd5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 463.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Rasna girl, the Frooti straw poking struggles. And Glucon-D meant "you’re weak, drink this!" Credit: Flickr

Orkut, Yahoo Messenger & Flash Games

[{"selector":"#anim-b42f289d-4b66-4760-b174-a4c316c3a38e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff58b1c2-0fff-4b37-bbdf-c43af536f794","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3ea38599-4bd7-4ec7-b1e6-4703d99d5a03","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b8fd4a9-f4e7-4c53-8351-c212b09e0b20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3debf91e-8e2c-462d-a76b-a3ad821b014d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.85616%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f82e65a4-8084-4a9f-9364-eb6c5a40734d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c6b9bee-c424-4e75-9c5f-0b93724081a9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a91849a-740b-4fab-b57e-840aa89b8bf4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc073895-acaa-4a62-8247-0aa0c3eba12c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Orkut scraps were serious business. And Yahoo status: Busy (but not really). Credit: Wikimedia commons

Old Cartoon Network & Doordarshan Sundays

[{"selector":"#anim-7f410b4c-c5a0-48c1-8223-27db6211913c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ecc3c77-9212-4cea-b8e9-80741e2f407f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06f4d8b8-04e5-4572-9da4-e1fda5658986","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -782.49604%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0748f95d-d327-48bb-9fd4-5ab1063e7a01","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c77a5b5c-7386-4844-bfb1-382d32adcee7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.95850%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-356746c8-2389-418c-b4bc-61f6d958ac9d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a4dab8f-e1c2-45db-9e60-ca4769e49003","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 377.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0508eaf-eca8-40a5-89ca-c1a518e1d434","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db3d23a9-b394-4f00-87e5-3d53f7833c6a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dexter and Powerpuff by day, Shaktimaan and Rangoli by weekend. TV time was sacred; and scheduled. Credit: Wikimedia commons

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