High Temperatures in Lahore

I usually avoid political issues. My blog is not the place for it, my blog is about my personal thoughts on life. But how can I ignore it if there is an election going on where I live? Yes, I have the distinction of living in NA 122, the erstwhile constituency of Mr. Ayaz Sadiq, who is again fighting for his seat as well as his honour. As an assistant commissioner in Lahore in 2008, I used to think he was one of the finest and most dignified members of parliament that I ever came across, and I have come across many. I am sure he retains those qualities. Whatever happens in the elections, the campaign has crippled all normalcy in the area. The whole constituency has taken on the permanent look of a carnival. This is a mood that Lahorites thrive on. with the election due on sunday, the whole constutuency is pulsating with election fever. Lahore is a city given to extremes. Lahoris are characterized by their emotion, generosity, extreme friendliness and adaptability to different situations. They tend to have a que sera sera attitude about life and things in general, and like to enjoy the journey of life, with food, song,revelry, fine arts and following their own special cultural norms. Lahore is actually one city that never sleeps. The Lahore culture has evolved through its thousands of years history as a melting pot of races, cultures and a variety of rulers. An airhead female anchor on Dawn TV was declaring the PML N candidate as belonging to the Kashmiri clan today, while he belongs to one of the distinguished old families of Lahore who converted to Sikhism to Islam. Lahore opens its arms to everybody and assimilates them, as it has seen war, famine, upheaval and devastation through the centuries. upheavals have made them accepting, and whatever difficulties they have in life,they know how to keep the party on. They have an immense ability to enjoy themselves and help others. But there is a dangerous side to Lahorites. They do not like pride and arrogance.They do not like to be ignored. If one is haughty to them and treats them with contempt, they will tear you down.They are not people who will be fooled or cowed down. And they will like to be left alone and do their own thing, which may or may not be legal, but that is how they are. But if one is humble and accepting, Lahorites love you and will support you till their last breath. I think that since I was born in lahore, I can identify with their attitudes and share many of these too. However, I do not like their propensity to show off.They tend to go to any extremes. The Lahorites, infact the whole of Punjab, is guilty of the propensity to show off and spend money for effect and to impress others. All political parties seem to have given in to this propensity, for their primary ojective at the moment is to surpass each other in impressing the people of Lahore into voting for them. Nobody loves lavish shows like Lahore, and parties are giving them grand displays everywhere at the moment. Lahore has low tendency towards violence, therefore the campaign remains thankfully peaceful, despite the invective being spewed by all sides. Some of The most venomous politicians have gathered from all sides, and even PPP is hurling insults like never before. Despite the onset of autumn, this campaign has warmed the blood of every Lahorite.Whether the Lion breaks the bat in two, or the bat makes a cat out of the lion through hits, will be seen on sunday. But democracy will win hands down either way, dhandli(rigging) or no dhandli.