Pleased to meet you?

I wonder how Lucknow will introduce itself.

It has made every effort to shake off its lineage, the nawabi blood coursing through its veins blocked by the malls, flyovers and miscellaneous accessories of 21st century India. The legendary Pehle Aap drowned out in the honking cars, swearing car wallahs and abrasive bollywood influenced 20 somethings. Tunde ke kebab in easy -to- take -home, cold and barely satisfying joints everywhere you go. Not a single ghoongroo heard at Kathak Kendra, and innumerable footfalls at the afternoon show of Race. The dilapidated and seemingly mildewed Urdu Shiksha Kendra overshadowed by the glistening swanky Riverside, Wave and Fun malls...

Having Said that, Not that I am complaining!!!

The city is a calm getaway with all the amenities of big cities and one-fifth (give or take a decimal more) the hassle. Month of traversing the city and not a single traffic jam (Hallelujah!), movie tickets as and when you please, no 20 minute queues at restaurants on weekends, gyms where the equipment is free for long enough to break into a sweat, the lilt in hindi which feels like home..

Though savouring it all, a thought plagues me - Was there no way to resolve the dichotomy harmoniously? Having spent 3 months (admittedly not long enough) in Paris, I have experienced a city that has embraced this contradiction with easy grace. The malls and meccas of the millenium have not eroded the historic essence of Paris, and that stems from an inherent pride in its glorious past. With no pretensions to undertstand the pressures that policy makers work under... All it takes is a thought. A concerted thought and an orchestrated effort to save Lucknow.

PS: Are you modern, brash, conservative, pensive, poor, hedonistic, soft-spoken, grungy, rich, sophisticated.......Maybe my conversation with you could have been lively and stimulating, Ill never know till I get the introductions out of the way.