If one is looking for a reason to take notice of the good work that is being done in the city of Karachi, or for the city of Karachi, then Monday’s rain is a reason strong enough. That mild February rain is a gentle whisper that the Sindh capital is experiencing a subtle change; and not so subtle a change. It only calls for a fair and detached look, minus the prejudice.

Monday’s rain, statistically speaking was 16.5 m.m., which is less than an inch of rainfall. Compare it to what the country received in this wintry spell. But that is another theme. Historically speaking, an inch of rainfall was enough to virtually throw Karachi life out of gear. This time it didn’t, so bouquets for what has been done.

Some of us watched the rain on Monday and had the same fears. That the roads would be turned it into lakes, and dirty lakes at that. Or that the KESC would collapse. That did not really happen.

As the rain fell on Monday afternoon, water did begin accumulating and made citizens worried, generally speaking. The same old story would be heard. But it was different this time, and even though the Korangi Road got submerged and closed, therefore, the city fared somewhat decently, and respectably. The water drained off quickly and smoothly, making one contemplate that some changes have begun appearing as a result of the work that has been done in the last two years. Even a diehard critic of the way the city functions said hesitatingly yesterday that Karachi had fared better, and there was an improvement in the overall response that Karachi had shown to the wet spell.

Of course the problems remain the same, and the real test will come when it truly rains, more and heavier. Of course Karachi’s image vis-a-vis rain is so suspect. They all believe that it does not rain. And when it does Karachi can’t handle it. But we all know that it does rain and that is something that cannot be disputed. But Monday’s rain makes one believe that concerted efforts are being made to make Karachi endure rain, and that its citizens can take pride in this aspect of the infrastructure coming up.

It was a little disappointing to hear on PTV on Monday night in its current affairs programme on the countrywide rain, a certain spontaneous comment which was more than unkind to Karachi, in the context of rain and the city’s inability to take its slightest shock. Little did those participants and the compere know of the changes that have begun to come in recent years. It seems that the city still carries its old reputation; congested, ill-planned and uncared for.

Of course it is congested and overpopulated, but there are sure signs that there is a local bodies system that is trying its best to give to the city a modern appearance. Take the bridges and overhead bridges that have come up, and those that are under-construction. For all that pessimists and critics may say, there is a positive change that has come as a result of these new facilities. Take the widening of roads, and the elimination of the suffocating roundabouts at New Town (Guru Mandir) and Old Exhibition that is in its final stages.

A feel of what lies ahead is available and to get a first- hand account I had a drive through at both these well-known city landmarks on Thursday night around 10.30pm. It gives insight into the Karachi that lies ahead. Of course Karachi will have its poverty, its slums and its nightmares of many dimensions. But Karachi is showing the will and the ability to take on new challenges in the field of development and infrastructure.

I asked some people about the widening of these roads, and the exciting new look and facility that are unfolding. Old habits and prejudices die hard. There is one view that it is all too confusing at this stage, and it is impossible to understand the way in which the traffic is flowing. But there is another welcome view that it is possible to breathe at these places now; there is a look of a modern city at these traditional bottlenecks. The positive outcome of these changes will be realised very soon, say the residents of New Town.

Looking at the future of the Sindh capital with optimism makes it imperative to bear in mind the fact that citizens and various cultural and social organisations, as well as official quarters, have begun focusing on the sea that Karachi has access to. It has become a source of entertainment for the people of Karachi, and ample efforts have been made successfully to beautify the Clifton beach area. The floodlights that have been used for the last two years plus the opposite the Seaview apartments are yet another indication and reflection of the direction in which Karachi seeks to go; and fortunately it is actually going in that direction.

Two photographs published in Dawn’s Metropolitan pages in the recent days need mention in this context. A roundabout, (chowk) at Korangi 2-1/2, beautified, was shown “shining” after Monday’s rain; and a green-belt near Hyderi Market, North Nazimabad, that has been turned into a beautiful park by the town administration there; little pointers that effort is being made and citizens can feel good about it. Flower shows are held regularly. More good thought.

But let me conclude with the meteorological department which has forecast heavy rains for Karachi early next month. So that is where the real test of what the district government has done will come.

The spokesman for the meteorological office, Arif Mehmood, says that at least three factors are responsible for the change in the weather pattern of Karachi: the increase in the population, the spread of the areas under the population and the pollution emanating from the industrial areas of the city.

That being the nature and size of the environmental challenge, isn’t it only proper and gracious that we acknowledge the effort that is being made to give to the Sindh capital the uplift that it has been crying out for, for years and years now?