During 15-minute walk from home to office, author realizes that the wisdom and traditions passed down through centuries seem to be losing their significance
Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo
Upon waking up early in the morning, I realized that I had put my phone on charge but forgot to turn on the switch, resulting in a drained battery. I contemplated charging it at the office, but it seemed futile since no one would call me so early in the morning if my phone remained out of power for half an hour. My wife bid me farewell, and as I walked through the plaza corridor, I noticed the walls were covered in stains and in dire need of repainting. The mezzanine floor’s common washroom emitted a foul odor, making the situation uncomfortable. It took me seven minutes to reach the main entrance of the plaza. I observed our watchman sleeping by the door without a mosquito net, leaving him vulnerable to the numerous mosquitoes these days, posing a risk to his health, no one knows how much of his family burden he bears to feed them, but if he is sick, what other option they might have.
While crossing the road, I realized that elections were near, as the road, which had remained unrepaired for nearly five years, was finally fixed, with a gate installed to reduce heavy traffic on the service road. The corner vegetable shop seemed to lack fresh produce, and at the nearby pan shop, there were no smokers in sight, suggesting that cigarette prices had likely soared. At the corner of my plaza, near the main road, I noticed parents rushing to drop their kids at school, while a traffic sergeant allowed almost everyone to break the law and drive through the wrong side. Everyone was programmed to achieve what was assigned, not concerning who suffered.
The once-packed hotel, known for its delicious breakfast, now only had a few clients stopping by for a cup of tea. I also observed that the new contractor assigned to clean the roads seemed to address the injustice caused by residents of our society, who often cleaned their premises but littered public spaces. As I walked on the road, I couldn’t help but notice that the temperature in Hyderabad had never been as hot and humid in the last 48 years of my life as it is now. Perhaps climate change is a reality, but it appears that nobody is taking it seriously.
It’s disheartening to witness the rapid decline in the worth of values that were cherished and ingrained over centuries, now fading in just a decade
The roads were encroached upon by shopkeepers, leaving very little space for those driving through. When I arrived at my office, I was the third person there, with two office boys already cleaning the space for the others who would arrive later and appreciate the aroma of the newly constructed building. Suddenly, I located the charger for my cell phone, and as my Whatsapp, Facebook, and LinkedIn notifications chimed together, I eagerly delved into checking who had reacted to my posts and how. This is how all of us are avoiding circumstance, nature, and society, we are the slave of our gadgets. In the past, we cherished life’s simple moments, embracing nature, traditions, and meaningful relationships. However, the present generation seems captivated by the latest gadgets and dismissive of our cherished values, traditions, and customs. The constant influx of information is eroding our sense of self and cultural identity. Even those of us who occasionally reminisce about the past find it challenging to escape the influence of this globalized society. Naturally, times change, and the past, present, and future are bound to be different. But it’s disheartening to witness the rapid decline in the worth of values that were cherished and ingrained over centuries, now fading in just a decade.
There was a time when we savored every moment of our lives, appreciating each season, cherishing relationships, and being attuned to the world around us. We had parents and elders who safeguarded the norms and harmony of our communities and families, guiding us on what to share and what to preserve. I remember how, as youngsters, watching a movie like Terminator II was an enduring challenge, taking almost three and a half months to find a time when we could secretly indulge in such entertainment without the elders’ knowledge. However, today’s young generation believes in their right to possess the latest gadgets, and their values diverge significantly from ours. They often make us realize that enjoying homemade meals, wearing traditional attire, listening to old songs, and having a sense of patriotism and religiosity are no longer trendy. They seek “cool” parents and strive to adopt the “perfect” accent, particularly in English, equating emotional vulnerability with weakness and fear. The constant bombardment of information at our fingertips seems to be diluting our values and customs. Even those of us who occasionally manage to tap into the nostalgia of the past find ourselves driven by the norms of this globally inspired-society.
We’re witnessing the erosion of a collective identity, replaced by a more fragmented and individualistic approach to life
This shift in societal values and priorities has given rise to a disconnection between generations. The wisdom and traditions passed down through centuries seem to be losing their significance, and the essence of what once held communities together is fading away. It’s as if we’re witnessing the erosion of a collective identity, replaced by a more fragmented and individualistic approach to life.
In Pakistan, there are certain days when our cellular networks are seized, supposedly for security reasons. However, during this 15-minute period from home to the office, I had a profound realization, it became clear to me that imparting the importance of our cultural heritage and promoting the acceptance of diversity among the upcoming generations, and feeling and fueling the environment we live in is crucial. This approach can only bridge the gap between generations and create an atmosphere where tradition and modernity can peacefully coexist.
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Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo is Community Development Professional based in Hyderabad Sindh
