I've read your comment somewhere on this forum about Muslims in Lucknow being restricted to chowk, living in abject poverty and what not, and I get the sense that you seem to view things with a victim mentality almost. I've seen this often, and I'd have to say that you're being mighty unfair. Muslims live all over Lucknow, and many (if not most) are doing quite well for themselves; I wonder why it's just the poorer ones that seem to steal the hearts of people from Pakistan. Likewise, there are poor Hindus too, also in chowk, and there are wealthy people from both religions who also live and work in chowk; I'm not sure if you noticed. It's been like that for centuries.
I've been to chowk. The area is built in a way that in order to make it better, either the whole darn place will need to be torn down, which is impossible at this point, or will need some sort of miracle wherein shop owners magically decide not to encroach upon what should be a clear pedestrian path. The authorities crack down on encroachments now and then, but sadly, the shop owners don't seem to care much about keeping public paths clear. Who is to blame here? You decide. Dogs, cats, and cattle are a part of most south Asian neighbourhoods, and chowk is no different. There certainly isn't a higher-than-usual number of animals in chowk. I didn't see a single overflowing nallah when I was there last, and I've spent a lot of time in and around the area, so I really don't know what you're talking about.
Perhaps your relatives should consider moving to a newer/more developed area of the city, and not continue to live in old Lucknow? Just a thought.
I like it.
