A Vibrant Childhood in a Large Family
Growing up in a family of seven siblings, life was filled with playful chaos, teasing, and mischief. The mother, a commanding figure, maintained discipline with her innovative arsenal of household tools. From wooden spoons to a bat-like clothes beater, she managed her unruly children with style. However, the boys often felt the sting of perceived favoritism towards their sisters, who effortlessly earned her trust.
Adventures in the Canal Colony
The father’s posting in Kehror Pacca as a Punjab Canals Department officer offered the siblings a playground of lush fields and sandy dunes. Days were spent constructing and destroying sand structures along the irrigation channels. The children’s creativity and joy thrived, but the sunset signaled a return home, avoiding the nocturnal dangers of reptiles.
The Winds of Change
As the siblings pursued education and careers, the world around them shifted dramatically. The country experienced a decline in social values, integrity, and trustworthiness, with honest officials increasingly marginalized in public service. These changes reflected a growing decay in societal ethics and character.
A Controversial Election Campaign
During the elections between President Ayub Khan and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, vile propaganda against Fatima Jinnah tarnished the campaign. Instances like hanging her pictures around stray dogs in Gujranwala highlighted the depths of political malice at the time.
Nostalgia for 1960s Lahore
Lahore in the 1960s had a simpler charm, with sparse traffic consisting of bicycles, Vespa scooters, and a handful of cars. Affordable luxuries included Morris Minor taxi rides for two rupees and a cup of tea at Falettis Hotel for one rupee. The city was a testament to an era of modesty and respect, where an officer’s word was unquestioned.
Triumph and Devastation: A Tale of Two Wars
The euphoria of victory in the 1965 war, marked by bravery against a superior force, was short-lived. The crushing defeat in 1971 and the subsequent loss of East Pakistan left the nation reeling. The lack of accountability for this catastrophe deepened the people’s distrust in leadership and institutions.
A Culture of Hypocrisy and Deception
Showcase piety, empty patriotism, and a superficial allegiance to laws have permeated society. Leadership across politics, judiciary, and officialdom often resorts to deception, undermining the very systems they are meant to uphold.
The Sand Towers Analogy
The carefree childhood game of building and destroying sand towers contrasts sharply with today’s leadership, which dismantles laws and institutions with calculated malice. Unlike innocent childhood play, these actions have devastating consequences for society.
The Burden of Historical Injustice
Today’s leaders, consumed by resentment and vengeance, seem to act out historical grievances against oppression and servitude. Yet, the text emphasizes that while history shapes individuals, leadership must rise above contempt and cultivate compassion for lasting change.