Once the seat of the Mughal Empire and now called the ‘Heart of Punjab’, Lahore is a city about which it is said that those who haven’t seen it, haven’t lived. We, who belong here, are known as "Zinda Dillaan-e-Lahore" (or the ones with lively hearts).

What a city it is -- a blend of exotic history, cultural norms, changing attitudes and social stigmas. Those who, like me, have been raised here and then gone away feel the change in so many ways. While on the one hand, the city has evolved, on the other, it has closed in; alienating so many who could have contributed productively to its development.

We gloat over our Lahori-ness as expatriates get together abroad. We are the large-hearted, the hospitable, the warm blooded Punjabis, always keen to lend an ear (too keen, actually!) and always there to extend a helping hand.

We are charitable by nature and our friendships are for life. This sounds just perfect and so true. Lahore is all this and more. We smile hearing such wonderful things about our city and awkwardly, exgange a few glances with the fellow Lahori sitting next to us. We are keen to add some more but hold back. Why should we? Every place has its quirks and so does Lahore.Only that we let them in only we have basked in the glory of our praise.

Beautified and made over, Lahore stands proud today. New roads, bridges and our very own Metro bus tell tales of development and growth.

Karachi may have the port and the breeze but Lahore has the history and the fraternity of those who made it. ‘The Lahori’ connection is one that is formed at heart the moment you meet someone from the city. What follows is anglicised Urdu, tainted by punchy Punjabi words, basically a language native to Lahore and Lahore alone. It consists of words we grew up with and which to us have become a part of the Urdu language even though no linguist will let us get way with that one.

Once we have embraced and reminisced about school and college years, the LAS Halloween, Shezan’s Tutti Fruiti and the Go-Go club sandwich, we get down to business. We talk, and how! Going down alleys and roads of yesteryears, we grasp all within our reach and talk about everyone left, right and centre.

Very curious and interested by nature, we thrive on idle talk and chatter. How else to while away lazy Sunday afternoons or sunny winter days in Lahore?

To the outsider, Lahore seems stuck in time. It is a city steeped in history with a future that could be unchanging to many but seems promising to me. As I drive down the Mall, in the thick winter morning fog, I think of the times Lahore has seen -- the Mughals, the British and the post partition era of the 1960s when Lahore was an enriched city, the centre of the arts boasting renowned educational institutions and home to the best intellect in the country.

A child of the 1970s, I have merely read and not witnessed the glory of the coffee houses that thrived on the poetry and prose of our intellectual best. The old world charm will always be there but there are new dimensions that have made fresh cracks in the soil of Lahore. There is an ostentation that did not belong to the times I grew up in. There is a rat race of glamour, money, pomp and show. Pepole want their brands to shout out their worth before they engage in a conversation with anyone, if there is a conversation at all.

I appreciate that my words reflect upon a very small percentage of Lahori society. However, this layer is worthy of a social analysis since it is newly erupted and provides a camouflage for lack of education compensated by new money. We do not see the fruits of labour falling into the lap of the middle educated class. Since merit is not adequately rewarded, other vices like social disharmony and social alienation are taking place. People live in their own bubbles leading to a severe disconnect between different classes, the only connection being domestic help.

People are parking their cars in no parking zones and threatening to hit those who question them. There are those who violate traffic rules everyday but bribe the traffic police enough to escape scot free. Where is the civic responsibility and code of ethics?

Few want to question the raging drivers and roaring policemen for fear of being beaten up or locked up. There is lawlessness everywhere. I do not say this because I want to sound like I have lived in more civilised places and seen better but because this is the blatant truth.

I want my Lahore back. Were we so easily manipulated that we very gladly handed it to a few who felt they could mould it, how they wanted? Lahore is too precious for that.

Ours is a city whose present and future rest on a history preserved through generations. I want to be able to tell my children what a glorious city we belong to. I owe this to my children.