The Blackout

Ah! Good work Bat.

I don`t know if it`s right to say this... but to me it all seems so funny! If there is a power failure here in Pakistan, be it for the entire day or for five minutes, the people don`t seem to give a damn and keep on doing their stuff as if nothing had happened. Gas lanterns are lit up, emergency lights help the families have a nice dinner, people head for the roof`s with goodies and a small battery operated radio to chill out listening to Radio Pakistan, the jawans of the house form groups and start discussing current affairs in the street... and lots more. Hearing news and viewing reports about power failure in your part of the world makes me realize the importance of rugged environment adaptation... and that the Pakistanis, Indians and people of other south asian countries experiencing such blackouts living abroad should think about who they really are. They are not americans and not canadians... they are the people of developing south asian nations who are trying to be strong enough to stand against all odds such as this.

Thinking that you are being terrorised and considering every undesired event the consequence of yet another plan by a terrorist mastermind would make the innocent civilians weak, disoriented and would want to blame authorities who might not be the source of the problem. No need to be scared of anything, I guess... I don`t see any terrorist attack in the future of 9/11 magnitude... to speak quite optimistically and reassuringly! :-)

Why live in a multi-storey building in Toronto? There is more wilderness in Canada than one can imagine.

The best response to the power outage was that of an old Iraqi man. When informed about the ``dilemma`` he said: ``No electricity in America? No no no! You are lying! America! She is a BIG country with RICH RICH people. How are they living?`` and then he burst out laughing, so did I. Sorry to the American/Canadian mates.
:P

Ooh This is Bat! Well, the blackout put you on main page too!

Agree with all the things you mentioned we can do in Karachi even if power is out. But this is such a different world. However, it was heartening to see, atleast in the Mississauga region, that most people were calm and enjoying the dark ride. Most resorted to BBQ`s. I sat at a busy intersection on Eglinton, watching the trafficpolice, the traffic and a very starry night. It felt weird alright, darkness in Canada! Blasphemous! Once the power was back on, left my MSN online for the night, by morning, few friends from Karachi had left messages like ``maza aayaa baghair bijli kay`` Trivial mockery of West`s towering achievements and technological advancements. Enjoy the heat.

bat...:

...welcome:)

...as they say how sweet it is to remember trouble past...those who have experienced it will talk for a long time...lasti checked there was one area in the city where the power has not yet been restored...

...however...the people rose...the camaraderie displayed was exceptional...

...more later,

lve,

t