The debate these days is all about, as one would say in Urdu, ‘Qaul-o-Fail’. With the government having completed its 100 days in power, the divide between those for and those against seems to be getting wider. In all honesty, the government in most cases is not helping its own cause, especially with the motley crew, assigned to govern. Transgressions, mostly of its own making, provide the media and opposition with enough cause to carry out a particularly venomous critique.

Most observers find all this quite bewildering. Not knowing whether to follow their hearts or minds. Despite the hitches, criticism and a particularly challenging economic environment, especially for the not well-off, a vast majority still have some semblance of faith in the government.

The three-month report card presented by the government was a cause for much ridicule, again from the same quarters. The micro-level economic discussions, especially concerning poultry and fisheries, by the prime minister, have particularly become a laughing stock. Why this would be the case one does not really know. Perhaps we are not used to a PM, putting in enough thought and effort, to address these intricacies. For that matter take some of the recent measures carried out in the city and beyond.

Audit of various governmental departments including the police; anti-encroachment, efforts against power theft and corruption; taking on the powerful real-estate and housing mafia; rounding-up of religious extremists; efforts to enhance exports and remittances; curtailment of government expenditure; health cards; complaint cell for CM and PM; recycling of water in car wash centres and mosques; canal water for plants; dams; finally, peace efforts.

With all due respect to the detractors, how is it that these measures do not appear to point in the right direction. If nothing else the new government’s intentions and heart seems to be in the right place. How it walks the talk further remains to be seen.

On a personal note after a certain age death, which was once a minor distracting thought, becomes a tangible reality. The people you lived with, played with, were familiar with and loved, departed one by one. One such was a colourful character, a young man who came to work for us from Muridke, sometime before I was born. That is to say quite a while back. Once he got to Lahore he adopted the city and spent his life here.

At that time we lived in Arya Nagar, Samanabad, which was then considered a suburb. His age was uncertain; upon enquiry he would say as a young boy he remembered the Partition vividly. He was a flamboyant soul. At that time mortar and pestle were used for making chutneys and pulverising other ingredients. His pounding was musical; he had ankle bells tied to his pestle. He was also a bit of cross-dresser and had his own troupe gathered from the help in neighbouring houses. They would sing and dance the night away.

We as kids affectionately referred to him as Nimmo Chacha. To entertain us he would take a bed sheet and become a mouse, or placing a triangle arrangement under the sheet, a bear, much to our delight. Those were simpler times. Despite coming to us as a stranger he became family. How time have changed! These day members of families have become strangers to one another. Perhaps it was a matter of ties. When relationships were not monetised, but were defined by love, affection, care and respect. Selfishness has subverted all our values.

In my case, having been provided with wrong time of his funeral and having driven all the way to Muridke, I did not wait to attend his funeral due to work. Instead of managing to provide a little service to one who had served us all throughout his life, all I managed was to glimpse his face and bid a final farewell. — AM Lahori (AmLahori@gmail.com)

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2018