A SHORT STORY – Value of Human Connections in a Digital Age

Spending an hour in the bank with my father, I suggested he activate Internet banking to save time on tasks like money transfers and even enjoy the convenience of online shopping. Enthusiastically, I explained how technology could simplify his life, with groceries and essentials delivered to his door. To my surprise, his thoughtful response silenced me.

He explained how visiting the bank was more than a chore; it was his opportunity to connect with people. During his visit, he met friends and shared moments with familiar staff, cherishing the warmth of these interactions. Being alone, he valued these connections deeply. He reminded me of the storekeeper who had visited him during an illness and the local grocer who rushed my mother home after she fell—gestures rooted in real, human relationships.

“If everything becomes online,” he said, “I’d lose these bonds and the simple joy of knowing and being known by the people I interact with. Technology can’t deliver these connections.”

Frankly speaking, sometimes words are a powerful reminder that while technology offers convenience; life’s true richness lies in spending time with people, not devices.