Last Pole Standing

Lahore, is an old and historical city. In fact, the mega metropolitan is over 2,000 years old. It has seen many cultures, religions and invaders leave their impact over the course of centuries. Most recently, it were the British who had designated Lahore as the capital of United Punjab (India, Pakistan provinces of Punjab etc). The city now has over 9 million inhabitants and is Pakistan’s second largest city and most definitely its cultural capital.

Now, according to the records that I have been digging up, it seems electricity reached the city around 1909. And within a decade was spread all over the city. As it happens, I chanced upon one of the earliest electricity poles in the city dating back to 1917. Yes, they still survive and two such poles can be found on Zafar Road (Off Abid Majeed Road) in Lahore Cantt.

As the picture depicts, these poles were installed in Cantonment area around 1917 (the date is carved on each of the poles). There are now only two such surviving pieces left on the street. In fact, one of them is already broken down in two the other is still intact.

Culturally, we should be preserving them as they are almost 100 years old and carried one of the first electricity based power in Lahore. They are our living heritage.

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Vintage Rolls Royce in PC Lahore

For all those vintage and classic car fans out there, Pearl Continental Lahore has a treat for you. A 1922, fully restored Rolls Royce is on display in the main lobby.

This 1922 model was imported in 1924 by Nawab of Bhawalpur in Pakistan. The car was later used by various Pakistani Presidents including General Ayub Khan. It is currently owned by Pakistan Services Limited (The owners of Ovex Technologies and Servis Shoes)

It is amazing to see how many Lahoris stop and admire the beautifully restored vehicle. Many even resort to taking pictures with it. I must say, it is a treat for us fans of vintage vehicles.

Blasts in Jaipur and Cricket

Somehow, it is the Cricket in Pakistan that seems to get affected more by an occasional blast within the country than anything else. While these blasts have political motives, yet it rarely affects anyone or anything for long in the country. However, somehow, in all this entaglement, Cricket stops happening in Pakistan and with countries like Australia continue to not travel due to “security concerns”. I really do not understand these concerns. Take the 2005 blasts in London or even the recent series of bombings in Jaipur that killed over 60 people instantly.

http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/ipl/content/current/story/350910.html

The same Australian board never sent out any security teams to India or England. Nor did their players opt out of the Ashes or IPL. Life went on as it is. Yet, in the case of Pakistan, the whole series and seasons have been rescheduled or canceled outright.

I see only double standards and lack of commitment from ICC to have uniform policies. It is quite unfortunate that such double standards and Hippocratic practices continue to happen with no one really taking any serious action.