This post is about Islamabad’s first gift to the world. For all other gifts posted, check out here. For an aggregation of world’s gifts to the world, check out here.
Since the topic is haphazard, so will the post as it is – the combined efforts of all the [busy] authors :), please excuse that.
Jaded share her passions:
Through my age of living here, and with all the things I’ve taken for granted I’ve never been able to quite understand what it is about Islamabad that makes it home. If I was a person of fancy, (And I am) I would say there is something in the air, a magic or a spell that seems to weave an aura of ever-change, never constant in the city.
But maybe you will see it only if you’ve lived here. There are still time zones here; past, present and future, each holding its own remarkable view. The lush greens, and large organized blocks of residence that still hold the quiet secrets of an era of security and calm that became the identifying feature of the city as we know it. Come forward to the areas that have grown in front of you and me, to see roads meandering past homes that resemble the Roman Forum or abode of the Greek Pantheon that signal the new beginnings of Islamabad architecture complemented by the splendor of buildings going mile high along the wide Quaid-e-Azam Avenue leading now to what is being projected as the face of the new futuristic Islamabad, the Centaurus.
All debates aside, the point remains that Islamabad in its own way is in perpetual motion. See its beautiful face and you will see contradictions within it even in terms of the people and the place it identifies. It is the crossroads where you will see people coming in from rural and urban centers around the country with their own cultures, languages and lifestyles and notice them amalgamate into the uniqueness that is Islamabad alone.
For me, there is no other city that holds within it so much and yet, continues to have room for more, opening its heart and mind to change, to new things and new people and still hug its own delicious secrets to itself.
The most beautiful thing about Islamabad is that it most beautifully amalgmates the eastern values alongwith the western corporate culture. The city has changed a lot in the last forty years, of which the last 20 years I have witnessed myself. Islamabad, what once was what could be quoted as Oscar Wilde’s heavenly crave for nature, with soundless yet full-of-nature natural life is now the combined
Backpacker count Islamabad’s assets rationally:
Islamabad is “Intriguing” in many ways from the moment you step into the city. The city is known for its “Serene” atmosphere. However contrary to many myths, it is always bustling with “Life”. For a person like me it offers a lot of opportunities for “Adventure” sports. Besides having a great outback it also has the “Magic” of a cosmopolitam city. Being the Captial of Pakistan it’s an “Abode” to a large number of expatriate population, and not to forget the “Basecamp” of all foriegn expeditions comming to Pakistan. Due to its distinct “Aura” as compared to other cities, living in Islamabad is a “Dream” for many.
Phil says with a witty touch:
With the winters coming in Gas heaters are the soul of Islamabad ; )
… Gas Heater’s are not only the ‘joy’ of winter’s in Islamabad, but they add to the subtle uniqueness of the city which can only glorify these ingenious ‘contraptions’. They are so to say, the inspiration of life in a few cases too :)
A for Apple goes all emotional:
Islamabad is a city of dead for people coming in from Lahore and Karachi … for a bred-in soul like me it’s more than home to me – it’s an un-detachable part of my life …!
I strongly believe that the soul of this city is totally unmatchable … this is one city where you can find a spot to cater every mood of yours … this city has the quality to reflect moods and feelings of real human beings not the cars and machines … even the seasons echo emotions … winters (nostalgia strikes) … autumns (tranquility stays) … summers (dreams nourish)… springs (life blooms) … every season giving way to live your life …!
Whenever I’m out of the city and return to my home … words of “Islamabad – The Beautiful” and “Welcome to Islamabad” gives an untold pleasure and it’s an always feeling …!
It’s a city that has grown and lived to 40 yrs mark … becoming mature with every passing day … offering more than serenity and tranquility … offering REAL LIFE that only a true Islooitte can understand … there’s some magic in this city … it makes you addicted to its charms and you never want to leave … it’s not a city to me … it’s my home … my addiction (apart from Tea ;-)) … whether it be the mountains … skies … lake … flowers or even roads of this city … they call on me … and I’m becoming more and more addicted to it … with every passing day … An year back when tragedy hit the city … and beloved Pakistan … it shook us all … and I wish and pray that the love and passion I saw in people, in those days stay for you Islamabad and for Pakistan and for every city and town of Pakistan …I Love You Islamabad … May you stay Green … Beautiful … Progressive … Happy … Blooming … Amen!
Update: Thanks to A for Apple for compiling the pictures.
Previously, in this metroblogging 7 gifts to the world series … 7th Gift by Islamabad to the world was given by Jaded while backpacker gave the world the key to Paradise through his 6th gift , A for apple came up with the 5th Gift: Vital Signs – Pop Muzic Gurus of Pakistan, 4th Gift was presented by Talha and it was the architectural and mystic marvels of Faisal Mosque, 3rd Gift was the Rich Historic Background of this region offered to the world by backpacker … Ustad Rustam came up with an interesting gift too as a 2nd offering … it was the all-seasonal delights of Islamabad … !
