Lahore

My grandfather was a king in Lahore and SD College was his throne. He and his best friend were the first ever to beat Government College, Lahore in the intercollege debate. When he would sing, people from all over Lahore would come to see him perform. He ruled Paris of the East. 

Lahore, your culture, your language, your style, your being is my inheritance from my Dadu; Dadu who said I'm his "extension in time". How dare our overlords deprive me of it!

Sohaib says, "I can feel the emotional attachment with Lahore, Gupta ji... Lahore has a vibrant history, the pluralistic society once thrived here left a legacy this city still possesses somewhere in its bustling streets."

To which I say...

Sohaib Sahib, ek Lahore tha, aur ek Dilli. Ek ki jubań Urdu, dooje ki Dehalvi. As I was saying to Fakhar (even though he is from the opposition, i.e., Government College, Lahore, and not SD College), "Jine Lahore ni vekhya au jamya ni.' Mai jamyi ni. 

Fakhar says, "I wish everyone thought like that. There are far too many politicised minds around. I wish sanity would prevail. It is these people to people contacts that will save us and nothing else. 

"Come to Lahore and be born. I will host you."

Fakhar, I am a politicised mind. Our overlords are committing collective genocide on our lungs, our wealth, our sanity, our people, our culture and ancestry! It needs to end! It needs to end. Peace must prevail. 

It'll take you upon this offer one day, Inshallah. The least you can do is to host me, living in my Dadu's city for so long!

You went to Government College, Lahore and I'll still be your friend. But will remind you daily that all it took was two young students of what your über gunda alumni called 'Putli Pathshala' to end your intercollege-debate-winning streak.

Fakhar says, laughing, "I did go to the Government College actually. And being a Ravian, I recognise the über gunda sentiment. And what's more, I am part of the debating tradition of GC with a grainy picture still hanging somewhere in the halls. 

"Debating fraternity honours each other. I'm sure your grandfather would love to see the team today he defeated back then.

"I wanted to find out where SD College was located in Lahore. A bit of digging revealed that I used to live at a stone's throw from it back in the early 90s. Indeed, I have played many a cricket matches in its grounds..."

Damn you for your debating victory! Clearly the opponents weren't worthy enough as those from my family. Had I been there, I'd have thrashed all your debating prowess... just saying. But we'd have to undo 73 years of history to see that happen.

I do not get this nasty competitive streak from my grandfather. That I get from the women in my family. I come from a land of poets, gangsters, and revolutionaries. The men are poets, and the women gangsters and revolutionaries. 

At which point Fakhar proceeds to tell me a little anecdote about GC. 

"It has always produced two distinct set of alumni - those who are part and parcel of 'establishment' aka politicians, civil and military bureaucracy. And those who are rebellious, anti-establishment types. 

"So, this one time the Chief Secretary Punjab came to visit the Principal. The Principal offered him a chair and went back to what he was doing. After a few minutes, agitated, the CS roared, 'Don't you know I am the CS Punjab, Mr. Principal?' 'Oh, you can have two chairs then,' retorted the Principal. 

"That Principal belonged to the anti-establishment group. So did Faiz, and so do I."

This post was inspired by conversations with two Lahoris @sebibandesha and @FakharJaffery.