| Syazwani Hj Rosli |

TIMES change, and very few people have the time today to sit down and write out their Hari Raya greetings in personalised cards.

Technology has played a role in the demise of the festive card. With the advent of email and social media sites, most of the young generations are opting for faster ways to send their greetings.

Haji Azri bin Haji Ismail told the Bulletin, “Given our busy lifestyles, it’s now impossible to send Raya cards. It’s so much easier to send Raya greetings for my contact list, using my mobile phone.

“Raya E-cards have become the ‘in’ thing, and it’s all for free. With just a few clicks, the recipients have already received their greetings.”

But Hajah Asmahwati binti Haji Yakub took a different view, “There’s something comforting about being able to pick up a greeting card, hold it in your hands and read its message. But now, it’s just a thing of the past.

“However, there are still those who send out Raya cards, such as private companies, banks and NGOs. It’s part of their professional networking, so as to maintain and strengthen cordial official relations.”

Handwritten Hari Raya cards may be slowly dying out, but they will continue to hold a special place for those who remember a time when people actually found the time to tell their loved ones that they cared.