"Dada Bhai Buys Heart Shape Balloons!!!" Malbari Hotel----An Old Man's Day Dreams,

By Abdul Sattar Lakhana


We all four were sitting at the Malbari hotel as usual.Suddenly Malbari came to us and asked "Sirs, why the prize of the roses has increased.Last evening I went to the shrine to offer Fatiha.I usually got 10 rupees worth of red roses to offer at the shrine.Believe me the flower vandor flatly refused to give me flowers for 10 rupees and told me you have to buy atleast 25 rupees worth for one twig.Why the increase in roses prize.I had heard sugar , atta and the things like that were getting scarce,why the flowers?"

Siddiq master told Malbari that it was the season of valentine.Red roses were bought in large quantity.Thats why the prize is rising. Malbari asked what is Valentine season.I never heard of it.

Ghaffar kapadia said, "O simple man ! valentine is the craze throughout the world.Young man offer their girlfriends red roses and gifts to express their love towards the girlfriends." Malbari asked is it possible in Islamic country like Pakistan?.
I told him that everything is possible in Pakistan.Young people are not controlled by Molvis.They do whatever they like and our police encourages them.When the young couples go to a park or any other public place,police get their share of 50 or 100 rupees from them.This is the season of extra income for police.Youngsters prepare for this event months ahead.The day is celebrated on 14th February.They are demanding to declare 14th Feb as national holiday.

Yaqoob Kiria jokingly told Siddiq master to take red roses or red heart shaped balloons to his wife.Siddiq master very simply told that his old lady was allergic to balloons and didn't like any flowers.If I want to express my love I'll take home some biryani.She likes biryani from kharadar and would be happy.Our age of red roses is over, now we are practical people.

Ghafar kapadia said you know that whole system was created by Gora Saab.They dont have aromatic flowers so fragrant roses is a valuable gift for them.In pakistan fragrant flowers are sold by the kilos.We follow the Gora Saab blindly.Even a Gora saab RAYMOND DAVIS killed our 2 or 3 young men, we are almost ready to free him.We all firmly believe that Gora saab can do no wrong.You know billions of rupees are spend on chocolates flowers and other gifts in Karachi.Add to that the expenses done else where in Pakistan the figure reaches mindblowing heights.Head the system started in India and Pakistan youngsters would treat their girlfriends with biryani and halwa.

When the discussion was going on a child 7 or 8 years old came to us and offer to sell red heart shaped balloons.He said Eid was coming and please buy these balloons for eid.I asked him what eid was coming?He replied that his father has told him that it was an eid of red roses and balloons.His father was disabled and could not earn his living,so he sent out his son to sell these balloons.So that he could earn a few rupees.I was impressed by this child and wanted to buy one or two balloons.My friends asked me who my girlfrend was?.And as obviously there was none,I told them so that I wanted to help this child.I didn't want any balloons.

Ghafar bhai simply told me that I should offer him some money but not to buy any balloons.A child was a picture of self-respect .He plainly refused to take any money as he was not a beggar but a bussiness man .He was selling baloons and was not asking for any money.I was realy impressed by this self respecting child and told ghaffar bhai that I'll buy atleast two balloons and later on will give these balloons to some young man.Ghaffar bhai agreed. This was the proper way to help this child.This child didn't know anything about valentine or girlfriend, but he knew that if balloons were not sold his family would remain hungry for the day.

Yaqoob kiria told what a tragedy this was.Youngsters celebrating this none sense tradition.Do not know anything about hunger ,disabilities or any other tragedies faced by these balloon sellers or flower sellers.Yaqoob was so right.I had asked many youngsters,boys and girls why they celebrate valentine.No one knew, they knew that it was the easiest way to meet their girlfriends and on 14th Feb it gets easy and no passer by stares or object.

They all belong to well to do families and could spend a lot of money on flowers, balloons and chocolates etc. Why the government and molvis denounced this tradition is beyond understanding.Countries like Pakistan cannot afford this wastage of money. 

Valentine's Day -History and Facts

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.There are many stories and traditions related to this day and why it is celebrated.

According to some traditions and historians Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairs would fall in love and might marry.

Park Towers Karachi

One other story which many historians support and which is most popular is the story of Saint Valentine, a Christian Priest.  St Valentine lived in Rome during the third century. At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious.He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. As a priest St. Valentine considered it his duty to marry young couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, he and Saint Marius aided the Christian soldiers and secretly married couples, and for this kind- deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.

When Claudius II met Valentine in prison, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the Saint Valentine. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine. 

Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius'(Jailer) daughter. According to some legends, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate or personal love) but on agape (Love for Christianity): he was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD. 

 Valentine day in India 

Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine's Day.

Statue of Saint Valentine

Valentine's Day....A Day dedicated to Love Or a Business Opportunity

Who says love doesn't cost a thing?Atleast media effected youth will not say that.The so called valentine's Day-- the Day of love,can mercilessly burn a deep hole in your pocket and when it comes to this year's annual celebration of love - the Valentine's Week - it's a jaw-dropping amount of business!Yes Business.Is not thats amazing that our youth is so easily distracted with this sweet wraped startegy of business.A day to show your love and affection to some one significant....I doubt that!Does love needs a specific day to show itself?I am a firm beleiver of love nothing has ever been more precious and beautiful than the True Love.But does that mean that you have to go out on most expensive Food Outlets or have to buy expensive gifts,and let me mention the red flowers...does love need red flowers bought on triple prices just because it is 14th of Feb??

A survey Report shows that right from the roadside florist to the telecom operator, the luxurious restaurant to the upscale gift shop, everyone will get a generous piece of the rich love pie this year thanks to the youth that is so easily deceived and driven by the Word Love.

The two-month long study, which was conducted in 10 major cities from December 2010 to January 2011, ascertained the extent of over-spending among the young lovers to make their partners feel special.

 Valentine's Week, a love carnival of different sorts,traditionally ofcourse in the west it begins on February 7 with Rose Day, followed by Proposal Day on February 8, Chocolate Day on February 9, Teddy Day on February 10, Promise Day on February 11, Kiss Day on Febraury 12, Hug Day on February 13, and finally the ceremonious Valentine's Day on February 14.

Past ten years statistics in Pakistan show that the spending on Valentine's Week this year will be 120 per cent higher than last year.

Owing to the improved economic situation in our beloved country this year and increased spending power of individuals, youths and eligible bachelors are gung-ho about breaking all previous records as they are likely to spend almost over 120 per cent as compared to the previous year.

The biggest chunk of the earnings come from the staple greeting cards, followed by flowers, chocolates, toys, and moves on to more exorbitant stuff like diamond rings, bracelets, necklaces, readymade garments, cell phones and electronic gadgets.

The head of a renowned card making company , says that between February 7 and Febraury 14 every year, our company makes a turnover of 16 per cent and the sales zoom up to 10 times the normal figure.Other card Companies claim some what the same figures

Card Companies especially design new greeting cards designs exclusively for Valentine's Day and the price range is between Rs 50 and Rs 699. Moreover, they introduced about 220 special gifts like jewel boxes, heart-shaped soft toys, photo frames, mugs, quotation books, bags, vases, scented candles, metal candle-holders and crystal pieces.

Amazingly it is not just youngsters who shop, even those in the age group of 40-50 also shop for the occasion though the percentage of such people in Paksitan is luckily not much.

According to a study, an interaction with 1,200 people - including professionals and students in schools and colleges, people are ready to spend anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,50,000 for Valentine's Day celebrations, depending upon their individual capacity to spend.

Farooq Ahmed, a second year commerce student, said: "I will purchase at least 15 greeting cards, love bands and an equal number of pink roses for all my friends. This is the day to express affection to your loved ones. So, spending a two or three thousand is not a big deal."

A girl from Karachi university  plans to gift his fiance "365 roses of different colours and a collection of 100 romantic  songs".

Ask any obscure florist on the roadside, and he will tell you how the red flowers and heart-shaped bouquets ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 10,000 sell like hot cakes during the week.

"We Have already Ordered extra flowers and we are confident that we will do good business on this week end and on Monday" said a florist at Gulshan e Iqbal

Today valentine is supported and celebrated all over the world by media not for the sake of Christianity or the love;It pays them a lot, a real lot. It has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association USA, 25% of all cards sent each year are "Valentines". Imagine 25% of the total sale only in one day,They won't mind spending some money to propagate it on media.

Statistics from over the World shows that millions of Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion (First being the Christmas).50 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the 14th February.Many multinational Chocolate and confectionery Companies design special production and publicity campaigns.According to surveys profit margins for such firms producing chocolate and cocoa products worth billions.

In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts .It remains a question who were behind these extensions,Media,commercialism,advertisements or TRUE LOVE. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.

In this era of commercialism why would others not adopt such an opportunity of expanding their business.Today Eastern Media too is favoring this occasion.Ten years back youth was not even aware what valentine is and most of the people exchanging flowers and cards today on Valentine are still unaware of these facts.

True Love is always valuable,nothing compares that,but that love does not need a specific day,We will not say any thing against celebrating this day just THINK once whom you are following and why?

Valentine's Day....What do you say?

Reading The above articles what do you say?Share your views,Should we celebrate it?Does Love needs a Specific Day to Express It self?Type in your answers in the comments tab bellow.

Results Cooking Contest

Title for Randhrio Rani-Kitchen Queen Goes to Zulekha Bai Poll Results

		PERCENT
Dhokra by Zulekha Bai		29.41%
Bajre aur qeeme k kabab by Sara Jameel		14.71%
Leele Masale ji aknee by Fatima Ghani		14.71%
Gur papdi by Shumaila Arif		5.88%
Sheer Khurma by Mrs Hanif		5.88%
Gur Paapdri by Sana A Karim		5.88%
Malpura by Sumaira Mateen		5.88%
Gobhi Aur Meethi by Sadaf Ghaffar		5.88%
Khatte Potatto Balls by Ambreen Merchant		5.88%
Shami Kabab by Rabia Rizwan		2.94%
Bhel Puri by Saima Zeeshan		2.94%
Kokum Karhi by Farzana Dhedhi		0%

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Malbari Hotel....An Old Man's Day dreams-6

An Unexpected Treat.....

by Abdul Sattar Lakhana

It was a Saturday and we had gathered at malbari hotel as usual. The weather was good that day so the tasted better than usual. All of a sudden Siddique master started calling someone loudly…. “Ibrahim. Ibrahim …!!”. We all turned back and there was Ibrahim our common old friend but he was doing his own business and was doing well.

Ibrahim turned towards us saw all four of us and came to shake hands with us.

We offered him tea but he declined politely as he had was in a hurry  instead he said to meet us the next morning over the breakfast, he would be free and relaxing as it was Sunday. I asked him weather we should come to his banglow or should we meet at some other place.His banglow was in Defence and no bus went there so we were hesitating a bit. Luckily he himself said that he would come to a nearby nihari hotel which serves tasty nihari and this treat was to be from Ibrahim. We were happy by this generous offer and decided to be at our spot at nine in the morning to have nihari.

We all were at the hotel a few minutes ahead of the fixed time but Ibrahim was no where to be seen. We were feeling sorry for ourselves that a chance of free breakfast was gone, and as we all came there without breakfast in our homes. We were thinking about going to the home of some other friend to have breakfast,but all of a sudden Ibrahim appeared from no where Ghaffar kapadia was first to see him coming.All four of us were happy as a child having an unexpected ice-cream.With lots of hellos and how are you? we walked towards the famous nihari hotel nearby.

Ibrahim led us towards the family cabins and we settled down there. Ibrahim called the waiter and silently passed twenty rupees note into his hand.

Yakoob Kiria could not remain silent he spoke Ibrahim bhai “why did you pay him twenty?”Ibrahim said that this was the trick to get best service in such hotels besides the waiter will make errors in the bills favoring us.We did not know about such tricks as we hardly visited hotels except the malbari hotel.

Ibrahim ordered a special nihari with maghaz (brain) and extra butter and tanduri roties.We were served extra quantities of chopped ginger, chopped green chillies and large pieces of lemons.

We started eating it wsa so tasty that we were eating like this was our last meal.No wonder it had gained that fame I thought. Ibrahim was in very good mood so he asked about tea or cold drink. I said whatever you like.

Ibrahim said that he usually took lassi after eating nihari. He called the waiter and ordered him to bring 5 lassies the waiter said that lassi was not served in the hotel but Ibrahim insisted and asked the waiter to fetch lassi from the near by shop and the waiter obliged.The 20rs were at work.

After a few minutes lassi arrived and as we were sipping slowly Ibrahim again called the waiter and ordered him to bring paan for all of us.We had breakfast in a very good mood and environment remembering our old days. It was a very unusual and wonderful sunday morning out.

We all thanked Ibrahim for this wonderful treat and we all started walking towards our malbari hotel ad Ibrahim walked on towards his car he had parked in a nearby street.

Siddique master was the first to speak he was so impressed by Ibrahim's gesture that he told that this was the game of money if we had that much to spend on a breakfast we could invite Ibrahim or persons like him to breakfast or lunch anytime.

I get only half cooked roties of my old lady served with lots of good sayings on subjects like saving money and wearing my clothes for three days instead of two days to save soap.

I could not keep mum i told that had our parents had allowed us to get more education and not insisted on getting jobs and that too the low paying jobs we would have been in much better state than we are now.

kiria who was listening jumped into discussion he reffering to his father said that his father was so Hitler like that he simply told that no earnings no meals.

We kept talking about the topic for a while but the sun was getting higher and there was no shed at the malbari hotel. We daily sat at the hotel in the evening and were not bothered by the sun we had to get up and our little gathering ended and we walked towards our homes