Monday 11 February 2013

The Magical City of Lights!

The long disappearing act on our part was for no other reason than the fact that our days were spent developing plans and strategies to take Reimagining Karachi forward as a one-of-a-kind heritage preservation initiative and our nights were spent dreaming of restoring Karachi's glorious historic architecture.
It's strange how a soft corner for this beautiful city is turning into a full-fledged movement to bring everyone together to change the perspective that people generally have of Karachi.
Friends, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers keep emailing me beautiful snapshots of Karachi on and off; saying it reminded them of me and the initiative that we have taken or that they knew it would bring a smile to my face; and it does.
Karachi mornings have a somewhat interesting effect on me. Quite early in the morning, it is a picture of serenity with the usual hustle and bustle missing on the just awakening roads. The atmosphere somewhat hazy, the trees swaying gently embracing the soft breeze, the busy workers at the 'dhabas' making aromatic parathas and steaming tea for those who prefer the desi breakfast, hoards of school children off to the beginning of another day; all moving to just one rhythm - that of the songs of the city of lights.
The city of lights! What all it brings with it! Sorrows and joys, tears and laughter, magical moments and tragic incidents; so many experiences, so much life, yet intertwined with death. What does one do to soften the image that this city has unfortunately developed? Here's a suggestion. We dream, we work towards turning that dream into a reality; we believe and have faith in ourselves, in our younger generations, in our resilience as a nation. We explore, we build, we work with full conviction and bring about a real change and encourage everyone to recognise and enjoy the true colours of Karachi. There is a lot of beauty hidden beneath decades old thick layers of smog and smoke. Unearth it and be prepared to be mesmerised by what this magical city has to offer. What good is this life if it is not spent doing our bit for our city, our country and our people?

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