A tale of two cities

Irrespective of the frequency, nature or extent of my trips to Lahore, nothing can quell the thrill and sense of pride, I feel upon returning to my hometown, Karachi. Each time I walk out of the airport, I am struck with stark contrast between the two cities, while I embrace the all too familiar sights and sounds of Karachi, with affection parallel to that of being rejoined with a near and dear loved one.

Like any cosmopolitan city, Karachi has enveloped within its (seemingly ever-expanding) borders a host of contrast and similarities. Through out the years, it has welcomed immigrants from allover the country and beyond, giving them a chance to improve their lot. While the city has enhanced the lives of many immigrants either materialistically or academically or in any other way, these very people have unconsciously returned the favor by enriching its demographical landscape and adding spice and flavor to the city's character. Over the years, I have admired Karachi's and it's peoples ability to bounce back and carry on with life, even at its darkest hour - and just when I feel the city has outdone itself, I am yet again presented with another fascinating discovery about its people or the metropolis itself.

On the other hand, Lahore projects ethnic uniformity, alien to a cosmopolitan city dweller like me. You rarely hear any other language than Punjabi or Urdu in Lahore, People simply assume that Punjabi is understood by all. The same rule applies to the city inhabitants. While the majority of the Lahore inhabitants hail from the city itself or from the neighboring villages or towns; they are supposed to blend in with the natives and merge with the city's cultural fabric. They are expected to adopt the city and its ways, instead of the other way around (as in case of Karachi).

Lahore exudes an aura of leisure and indulgence. Women rarely venture out to for groceries attired in casual/domestic clothes. Similarly, it is unthinkable for men to don an unstarched kurta/shalwar. It is little wonder that Basant, the ancient kite flying/spring festival, which may be considered a frivolous, and extravagant event in certain social setups, has not only withstood the test of time, but is celebrated with a unparallel fervor, irrespective of ones social standing in this very city each year. Throughout history, Lahore had its fare share of invasions and regimes, these historical processes instead of producing diversity in the metropolitan fabric, have left it steadfastly confluent. Undoubtedly all these factors and more have had their fare share in molding the city's character and making a powerful contribution in the phrase "Lahore Lahore haye" that has become the tagline for this historical city.

However, I find the diversity among the inhabitants of Karachi to be one of the most fascinating aspects of Karachi. Last night, as I was making my way out of the airport, I became acutely aware of a new kind of semi-visible demarcation among the people, who call Karachi their home. There were those who were riding the new wave of Islamization which has silently yet forcefully swept the masses ( making itself pronounced by the average woman's desire to enshroud herself in Islamic garb and men to sport beards) and those who still preferred to be dressed in non-religious or semi-purdah attire. While I am neither critical nor desirous of donning such garb myself, (since it does not fall in the circle of my religious injunctions,) sporting an uncovered, cropped hairdo in such an environment is an open invitation to plenty of disapproving stares from all around. I suppose this new change was more pronounced after traveling from a city like Lahore; whose inhabitants are known to live life to the hilt, where a woman, irrespective of whether she is a begum or an average middle class working gal, feels no qualms or social disapproval about displaying her fair, bare arms through sleeveless shirts for the whole world to admire.

While Karachites maybe giving in to conservative trends, one thing remained unchanged - no matter how great or small the distance maybe, there is transport available at all hours, in all shapes and sizes. However one thing, which I admire most about Karachi offers independence/freedom it offers to anyone who has the dum or the courage to avail it. Take my example; Last night, given the circumstances of our sudden trip, there was no red carpet welcome awaiting us on our return. However there was plenty of choice in my mode of transport to home sweet home. Traveling light gave us the opportunity to sidestep the tiresome haggling with the slimy taxi drivers who seem to swarm passengers, walking out of the airport. And exactly after one hour, a shuttle van, a public bus and 20 rupees later, I was at my abode trying to placate my feline friends petulant cries.