Empty Asafoetida Container (=EAC)

Empty Asafoetida Container (=EAC)

Hing in English is Asafoetida. Decades ago, there was (and still is) a popular brand of edible hing called LG, produced (packed?) by LG Godhu Co. It used to be sold in rectangular tin containers. Hing, a vegetable origin resin, gum like substance, used to come in small one inch by two inch blocks. They will be wrapped in dried leaves and packed into paper cartons or tin boxes.

After the hing has been consumed the empty metal container was used for storing tailoring needs, cash, small pencils / erasers etc. The empty box used to emanate strong smell years after the box being empty. The feature is commonly known as “PaZhaya Perungaaya Dabbaa” (Empty Asafetida Container) in Tamil.

Now I am coming to you and me. Like EAC we seniors also behave. We live in past glory. We live in memories.  We talk of friends and relatives connected with us who are famous, big, well known etc. Live in shadow glory. Intrinsically inside us there is nothing much left now. Even future is limited or nothing guaranteed. But we keep harping on the past often regurgitating pleasant memories. Replay. Why do have this weakness I fail to understand. Do you?