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Restoring Lahore to Her Former Glory | Kamran Lashari | TEDxLahore


we’re going to talk about Lahore the

we’re going to talk about Lahore the cultural capital of Pakistan and focus

cultural capital of Pakistan and focus

cultural capital of Pakistan and focus upon its historic core which you see

upon its historic core which you see

upon its historic core which you see here on the map this is the origins of

here on the map this is the origins of

here on the map this is the origins of Lahore which began with a mud wall

Lahore which began with a mud wall

Lahore which began with a mud wall surrounded by 13 gates which served as

surrounded by 13 gates which served as

surrounded by 13 gates which served as the exits to the city and this is traced

the exits to the city and this is traced

the exits to the city and this is traced from the times like 1000 BC when it was

from the times like 1000 BC when it was

from the times like 1000 BC when it was Prince lo the son of a Hindu god Rama

Prince lo the son of a Hindu god Rama

Prince lo the son of a Hindu god Rama who laid the foundations of Lahore so

who laid the foundations of Lahore so

who laid the foundations of Lahore so Lahore derives its name from lo and over

Lahore derives its name from lo and over

Lahore derives its name from lo and over the years it turned into a huge

the years it turned into a huge

the years it turned into a huge flourishing one of the finest cities of

flourishing one of the finest cities of

flourishing one of the finest cities of the world and it was John Milton who in

the world and it was John Milton who in

the world and it was John Milton who in the Paradise Lost mentions that God

the Paradise Lost mentions that God

the Paradise Lost mentions that God tells Adam while speaking to him he says

tells Adam while speaking to him he says

tells Adam while speaking to him he says his eyes might telling telling Adam to

his eyes might telling telling Adam to

his eyes might telling telling Adam to visit Lahore his eyes might their

visit Lahore his eyes might their

visit Lahore his eyes might their command whatever stood city of old a

command whatever stood city of old a

command whatever stood city of old a modern fame the seat of mightiest Empire

modern fame the seat of mightiest Empire

modern fame the seat of mightiest Empire from the destined walls of Kimberley

from the destined walls of Kimberley

from the destined walls of Kimberley seat of Cathy and kin and Semak unboxes

seat of Cathy and kin and Semak unboxes

seat of Cathy and kin and Semak unboxes tamest Rome to Paquin of Simeon Kings

tamest Rome to Paquin of Simeon Kings

tamest Rome to Paquin of Simeon Kings and thence to Agra and Lahore of great

and thence to Agra and Lahore of great

and thence to Agra and Lahore of great mobile so this great city down into the

mobile so this great city down into the

mobile so this great city down into the city with architectural beauty monuments

city with architectural beauty monuments

city with architectural beauty monuments gardens libraries and it was during the

gardens libraries and it was during the

gardens libraries and it was during the times of the Mobile’s particularly in

times of the Mobile’s particularly in

times of the Mobile’s particularly in the times of Akbar who brought his

the times of Akbar who brought his

the times of Akbar who brought his throne for 13 years to Lahore and then

throne for 13 years to Lahore and then

throne for 13 years to Lahore and then followed by by by John Geary and Shah

followed by by by John Geary and Shah

followed by by by John Geary and Shah Jahan and Janki so this is the city I

Jahan and Janki so this is the city I

Jahan and Janki so this is the city I wish to just share with you the kind of

wish to just share with you the kind of

wish to just share with you the kind of beauty that it holds the splendor the

beauty that it holds the splendor the

beauty that it holds the splendor the variety the richness and diversity which

variety the richness and diversity which

variety the richness and diversity which spreads over many many civilizations

spreads over many many civilizations

spreads over many many civilizations because it was mammoth Ghazni in 1000

because it was mammoth Ghazni in 1000

because it was mammoth Ghazni in 1000 – 6 which means

– 6 which means

– 6 which means about thousand years ago from Central

about thousand years ago from Central

about thousand years ago from Central Asia came down and that’s the vivid

Asia came down and that’s the vivid

Asia came down and that’s the vivid living history through followed by them

living history through followed by them

living history through followed by them the Delhi Sultanate who encamped here

the Delhi Sultanate who encamped here

the Delhi Sultanate who encamped here else as well and then of course the

else as well and then of course the

else as well and then of course the times when when when the Blish before

times when when when the Blish before

times when when when the Blish before the British it was a six the native rule

the British it was a six the native rule

the British it was a six the native rule which ever came to this land was during

which ever came to this land was during

which ever came to this land was during them six times and then took up taken

them six times and then took up taken

them six times and then took up taken over by the British followed by 1947

over by the British followed by 1947

over by the British followed by 1947 which is our freedom independence of

which is our freedom independence of

which is our freedom independence of Pakistan so this city is full of life

Pakistan so this city is full of life

Pakistan so this city is full of life it’s not only the monuments it’s not

it’s not only the monuments it’s not

it’s not only the monuments it’s not just a brick and mortar it is the lead

just a brick and mortar it is the lead

just a brick and mortar it is the lead life the the which which is abuzz with

life the the which which is abuzz with

life the the which which is abuzz with you know bazaars and markets and music

you know bazaars and markets and music

you know bazaars and markets and music and spices you you if you go there you

and spices you you if you go there you

and spices you you if you go there you you will see so much of energy of people

you will see so much of energy of people

you will see so much of energy of people and the and the harmony and the

and the and the harmony and the

and the and the harmony and the hospitality now this is one picture I

hospitality now this is one picture I

hospitality now this is one picture I wish to share with you is representative

wish to share with you is representative

wish to share with you is representative of what led the British to conquer India

of what led the British to conquer India

of what led the British to conquer India the spices it is upper Mundi one of the

the spices it is upper Mundi one of the

the spices it is upper Mundi one of the largest spice market in Asia are more

largest spice market in Asia are more

largest spice market in Asia are more than 500 shops exist even today and this

than 500 shops exist even today and this

than 500 shops exist even today and this this is what led to the colonization of

this is what led to the colonization of

this is what led to the colonization of the India and the so this the sounds

the India and the so this the sounds

the India and the so this the sounds this the aroma the the very picture of

this the aroma the the very picture of

this the aroma the the very picture of this look at the metals bazaars you can

this look at the metals bazaars you can

this look at the metals bazaars you can go and visit the music bazaars there

go and visit the music bazaars there

go and visit the music bazaars there there are crafts and skills abounding

there are crafts and skills abounding

there are crafts and skills abounding the whole city and of course most

the whole city and of course most

the whole city and of course most important is the cuisine Lahore is not

important is the cuisine Lahore is not

important is the cuisine Lahore is not complete without cuisine and it is a

complete without cuisine and it is a

complete without cuisine and it is a city which is said which never goes to

city which is said which never goes to

city which is said which never goes to sleep because the hall rights keep

sleep because the hall rights keep

sleep because the hall rights keep eating till three o’clock in the night

eating till three o’clock in the night

eating till three o’clock in the night and then by four o’clock is the

and then by four o’clock is the

and then by four o’clock is the breakfast time again let’s see the he

breakfast time again let’s see the he

breakfast time again let’s see the he and you know booty holla Barack cetera

and you know booty holla Barack cetera

and you know booty holla Barack cetera et cetera so

et cetera so

et cetera so this is and I’ve seen many cities of

this is and I’ve seen many cities of

this is and I’ve seen many cities of Europe going fading out after the you

Europe going fading out after the you

Europe going fading out after the you know sunset or nighttime but this is

know sunset or nighttime but this is

know sunset or nighttime but this is always you know this is our version of

always you know this is our version of

always you know this is our version of what you call pizza the Kalama the

what you call pizza the Kalama the

what you call pizza the Kalama the famous and but most important is the

famous and but most important is the

famous and but most important is the neighborhood the mahalos how people live

neighborhood the mahalos how people live

neighborhood the mahalos how people live together house adjoining another house

together house adjoining another house

together house adjoining another house and it’s a house which is a place called

and it’s a house which is a place called

and it’s a house which is a place called with million rooftops of windows you

with million rooftops of windows you

with million rooftops of windows you know and there are streets are so narrow

know and there are streets are so narrow

know and there are streets are so narrow says and all the writer writes about it

says and all the writer writes about it

says and all the writer writes about it Jonathan eat tongue Yankee murderer or a

Jonathan eat tongue Yankee murderer or a

Jonathan eat tongue Yankee murderer or a tagger category enter Serafina kaki

tagger category enter Serafina kaki

tagger category enter Serafina kaki Gujarati which translated would mean if

Gujarati which translated would mean if

Gujarati which translated would mean if a man and a woman is crossing this

a man and a woman is crossing this

a man and a woman is crossing this narrow street there has to be a marriage

narrow street there has to be a marriage

narrow street there has to be a marriage contract so and and yet the children

contract so and and yet the children

contract so and and yet the children they play freely with abandon no

they play freely with abandon no

they play freely with abandon no inhibitions of any security or any other

inhibitions of any security or any other

inhibitions of any security or any other and then everybody knows everybody and

and then everybody knows everybody and

and then everybody knows everybody and so he is a watch man you could say

so he is a watch man you could say

so he is a watch man you could say always you know overlooking the and not

always you know overlooking the and not

always you know overlooking the and not only that the literature the poetry the

only that the literature the poetry the

only that the literature the poetry the musicians that the sportsmen that have

musicians that the sportsmen that have

musicians that the sportsmen that have there have generator come out from from

there have generator come out from from

there have generator come out from from this particular historic core called the

this particular historic core called the

this particular historic core called the walled city or the Unruh Lahore Allah my

walled city or the Unruh Lahore Allah my

walled city or the Unruh Lahore Allah my Kamal the our poet of the East he he

Kamal the our poet of the East he he

Kamal the our poet of the East he he lived there so did gama Palawan the

lived there so did gama Palawan the

lived there so did gama Palawan the wrestler of India and knew Jahan our

wrestler of India and knew Jahan our

wrestler of India and knew Jahan our most famous singer sir Gangaram Hamid

most famous singer sir Gangaram Hamid

most famous singer sir Gangaram Hamid Rafi and many poets and many others but

Rafi and many poets and many others but

Rafi and many poets and many others but then what happened is over the time

then what happened is over the time

then what happened is over the time there has been a decline despite this

there has been a decline despite this

there has been a decline despite this being matching any any historic course

being matching any any historic course

being matching any any historic course that one has seen all over the world

that one has seen all over the world

that one has seen all over the world like fairs or Isfahan or summer Cara

like fairs or Isfahan or summer Cara

like fairs or Isfahan or summer Cara Grande bazaars of Egypt and Turkey but

Grande bazaars of Egypt and Turkey but

Grande bazaars of Egypt and Turkey but here there has been a decline let’s just

here there has been a decline let’s just

here there has been a decline let’s just face it a lot of congestion lot of

face it a lot of congestion lot of

face it a lot of congestion lot of traffic lot of encroachments and mmm and

traffic lot of encroachments and mmm and

traffic lot of encroachments and mmm and cleanliness issues etc etc

cleanliness issues etc etc

cleanliness issues etc etc so we had to clean our act we had to put

so we had to clean our act we had to put

so we had to clean our act we had to put her things together and then the good

her things together and then the good

her things together and then the good thing is that the government woke up to

thing is that the government woke up to

thing is that the government woke up to this reality to this deed and started as

this reality to this deed and started as

this reality to this deed and started as a project in 2006 which became an

a project in 2006 which became an

a project in 2006 which became an authority especially dedicated

authority especially dedicated

authority especially dedicated autonomous body very few places in the

autonomous body very few places in the

autonomous body very few places in the world would have four it’s a story Corps

world would have four it’s a story Corps

world would have four it’s a story Corps which Lahore has which is now my

which Lahore has which is now my

which Lahore has which is now my department called the walled city of

department called the walled city of

department called the walled city of Lahore Authority so we have started with

Lahore Authority so we have started with

Lahore Authority so we have started with rehabilitation and revival of off of the

rehabilitation and revival of off of the

rehabilitation and revival of off of the Lahore historic core and it’s not only

Lahore historic core and it’s not only

Lahore historic core and it’s not only dealing with the monuments but it is

dealing with the monuments but it is

dealing with the monuments but it is basically dealing with the with the

basically dealing with the with the

basically dealing with the with the living conditions of the people which

living conditions of the people which

living conditions of the people which has to be dealt through through the new

has to be dealt through through the new

has to be dealt through through the new infrastructure so we have laid down new

infrastructure so we have laid down new

infrastructure so we have laid down new latest sewage lines in these very

latest sewage lines in these very

latest sewage lines in these very congested areas where you you can’t even

congested areas where you you can’t even

congested areas where you you can’t even pass by they’re there this kind of work

pass by they’re there this kind of work

pass by they’re there this kind of work has gone in and we have done about 8 to

has gone in and we have done about 8 to

has gone in and we have done about 8 to 10 percent of the walled city till today

10 percent of the walled city till today

10 percent of the walled city till today but it’s not very extensive it is going

but it’s not very extensive it is going

but it’s not very extensive it is going on a good model has certainly set up and

on a good model has certainly set up and

on a good model has certainly set up and but it’s very intensive work new cr8 new

but it’s very intensive work new cr8 new

but it’s very intensive work new cr8 new water lines new gas lines and most of

water lines new gas lines and most of

water lines new gas lines and most of all the dangling wires above have all

all the dangling wires above have all

all the dangling wires above have all gone under the ground so these are the

gone under the ground so these are the

gone under the ground so these are the conditions in which work has been

conditions in which work has been

conditions in which work has been carried out and this is a look for

carried out and this is a look for

carried out and this is a look for instance the Royal trail through which

instance the Royal trail through which

instance the Royal trail through which the mobile processions used to come

the mobile processions used to come

the mobile processions used to come going up to the default this is that

going up to the default this is that

going up to the default this is that bazaar that is it this is how it looked

bazaar that is it this is how it looked

bazaar that is it this is how it looked like before rehabilitation and this is

like before rehabilitation and this is

like before rehabilitation and this is how now it looks like and this is

how now it looks like and this is

how now it looks like and this is another view of the street and now this

another view of the street and now this

another view of the street and now this is how it has been done up then this

is how it has been done up then this

is how it has been done up then this gully surgeon saying on the left is what

gully surgeon saying on the left is what

gully surgeon saying on the left is what it used to look like and on the right is

it used to look like and on the right is

it used to look like and on the right is after its rehabilitation and this work

after its rehabilitation and this work

after its rehabilitation and this work has been carried out of course in

has been carried out of course in

has been carried out of course in collaboration with the arcon trust for

collaboration with the arcon trust for

collaboration with the arcon trust for culture now so this is delegate which

culture now so this is delegate which

culture now so this is delegate which has lit up every evening and it says now

has lit up every evening and it says now

has lit up every evening and it says now bringing in tourism for that the

bringing in tourism for that the

bringing in tourism for that the need to we wanted to clean up the place

need to we wanted to clean up the place

need to we wanted to clean up the place and so special efforts have been made in

and so special efforts have been made in

and so special efforts have been made in this regard to keep our streets clean

this regard to keep our streets clean

this regard to keep our streets clean and the Civic sense has also been

and the Civic sense has also been

and the Civic sense has also been introduced more and more and to two

introduced more and more and to two

introduced more and more and to two projects that I wish to mention which

projects that I wish to mention which

projects that I wish to mention which are worth noticing one is the monument

are worth noticing one is the monument

are worth noticing one is the monument called Shahi Imam it is the Turkish bath

called Shahi Imam it is the Turkish bath

called Shahi Imam it is the Turkish bath which existed there four hundred years

which existed there four hundred years

which existed there four hundred years ago it was built by was Iran the

ago it was built by was Iran the

ago it was built by was Iran the governor at that time during charge on

governor at that time during charge on

governor at that time during charge on Stein’s and going through various phases

Stein’s and going through various phases

Stein’s and going through various phases it had fallen on bad times but it has

it had fallen on bad times but it has

it had fallen on bad times but it has been rehabilitated and so has been the

been rehabilitated and so has been the

been rehabilitated and so has been the beautiful ornamental mosque called the

beautiful ornamental mosque called the

beautiful ornamental mosque called the Wazir Khan mosque it has been done in

Wazir Khan mosque it has been done in

Wazir Khan mosque it has been done in such a way that we have got UNESCO award

such a way that we have got UNESCO award

such a way that we have got UNESCO award last year for the cultural heritage

last year for the cultural heritage

last year for the cultural heritage conservation of Shahi hammam another big

conservation of Shahi hammam another big

conservation of Shahi hammam another big complement is from a very eminent writer

complement is from a very eminent writer

complement is from a very eminent writer of of the subcontinent that is William

of of the subcontinent that is William

of of the subcontinent that is William Darla pal he sometimes went there and

Darla pal he sometimes went there and

Darla pal he sometimes went there and then we found his Twitter saying that

then we found his Twitter saying that

then we found his Twitter saying that Shia Imam is the best new architectural

Shia Imam is the best new architectural

Shia Imam is the best new architectural restoration project that I’ve seen

restoration project that I’ve seen

restoration project that I’ve seen anywhere in South Asia this was the look

anywhere in South Asia this was the look

anywhere in South Asia this was the look of the Shia Imam this is how it was

of the Shia Imam this is how it was

of the Shia Imam this is how it was covered by these shops and these wires

covered by these shops and these wires

covered by these shops and these wires all around and this is the look that you

all around and this is the look that you

all around and this is the look that you see it now so this is the transformation

see it now so this is the transformation

see it now so this is the transformation this is a change and so is the inner

this is a change and so is the inner

this is a change and so is the inner areas there that we have got now these

areas there that we have got now these

areas there that we have got now these ramps through which tourists come and

ramps through which tourists come and

ramps through which tourists come and enjoy the tourism outside on the open

enjoy the tourism outside on the open

enjoy the tourism outside on the open courtyards we have functions sometimes

courtyards we have functions sometimes

courtyards we have functions sometimes events and on the top of the rooftop

events and on the top of the rooftop

events and on the top of the rooftop that there are other events going on so

that there are other events going on so

that there are other events going on so the whole community the whole area has

the whole community the whole area has

the whole community the whole area has been uplifted and involved in this

been uplifted and involved in this

been uplifted and involved in this further up at a walking distances this

further up at a walking distances this

further up at a walking distances this was in Masjid which again was barricaded

was in Masjid which again was barricaded

was in Masjid which again was barricaded by many shops there

by many shops there

by many shops there more than 70 shops which have been paid

more than 70 shops which have been paid

more than 70 shops which have been paid up and removed from there and today the

up and removed from there and today the

up and removed from there and today the scene has got changed and now from here

scene has got changed and now from here

scene has got changed and now from here these videos were also you know half

these videos were also you know half

these videos were also you know half covered but you see this slide and you

covered but you see this slide and you

covered but you see this slide and you see the great change so in this very

see the great change so in this very

see the great change so in this very congestion area securing this kind of

congestion area securing this kind of

congestion area securing this kind of public space is nothing like little

public space is nothing like little

public space is nothing like little beyond a little miracle you know and and

beyond a little miracle you know and and

beyond a little miracle you know and and the the the shudras have all come out

the the the shudras have all come out

the the the shudras have all come out and saved this is an adjoining well gold

and saved this is an adjoining well gold

and saved this is an adjoining well gold Deenanath well and it has also been

Deenanath well and it has also been

Deenanath well and it has also been preserved

preserved

preserved so the besides this tourism and events

so the besides this tourism and events

so the besides this tourism and events are picked up and now we have always in

are picked up and now we have always in

are picked up and now we have always in Pakistan be talking about either

Pakistan be talking about either

Pakistan be talking about either ecotourism which means going to the

ecotourism which means going to the

ecotourism which means going to the nature to the mountains or showing some

nature to the mountains or showing some

nature to the mountains or showing some some money museum or a monument but here

some money museum or a monument but here

some money museum or a monument but here for the first time it is Mahalo tourism

for the first time it is Mahalo tourism

for the first time it is Mahalo tourism the street tourism which has picked up

the street tourism which has picked up

the street tourism which has picked up and P people feel joy happiness and even

and P people feel joy happiness and even

and P people feel joy happiness and even the youth I am sure have started taking

the youth I am sure have started taking

the youth I am sure have started taking pride and identity with their own Mahalo

pride and identity with their own Mahalo

pride and identity with their own Mahalo and their own food cuisine and so this

and their own food cuisine and so this

and their own food cuisine and so this is how we have introduced some regular

is how we have introduced some regular

is how we have introduced some regular rickshaws which you must have seen our

rickshaws which you must have seen our

rickshaws which you must have seen our famous international cricket players

famous international cricket players

famous international cricket players also writing this and people coming to

also writing this and people coming to

also writing this and people coming to this and then lots of events and

this and then lots of events and

this and then lots of events and festivals within the walled city open

festivals within the walled city open

festivals within the walled city open for all all communities taking part this

for all all communities taking part this

for all all communities taking part this is the culture which is shaping up over

is the culture which is shaping up over

is the culture which is shaping up over there and thank you very much but before

there and thank you very much but before

there and thank you very much but before I leave the stage I have to mmm

I leave the stage I have to mmm

I leave the stage I have to mmm I have to recite a poem my favorite

I have to recite a poem my favorite

I have to recite a poem my favorite Punjabi poem about a whole doll the scar

Punjabi poem about a whole doll the scar

Punjabi poem about a whole doll the scar Darla das Akana shahira lahori under

Darla das Akana shahira lahori under

Darla das Akana shahira lahori under kini boo hair thickening Ambar eonni now

kini boo hair thickening Ambar eonni now

kini boo hair thickening Ambar eonni now that’s a car

that’s a car

that’s a car Oh time

Oh time

Oh time now the saqqaq a rotating a cool item

now the saqqaq a rotating a cool item

now the saqqaq a rotating a cool item Kenya – Tina Dakini is our union Darla

Kenya – Tina Dakini is our union Darla

Kenya – Tina Dakini is our union Darla dasami Cheryl ahora under Lacan buhay

dasami Cheryl ahora under Lacan buhay

dasami Cheryl ahora under Lacan buhay telecom bar Yanni

telecom bar Yanni

telecom bar Yanni Gina counted her gay Paree a shock

Gina counted her gay Paree a shock

Gina counted her gay Paree a shock oh he – Tia the Bucky the young sorry

oh he – Tia the Bucky the young sorry

oh he – Tia the Bucky the young sorry honey

honey

honey so this is a song of lahore this is the

so this is a song of lahore this is the

so this is a song of lahore this is the spirit of lahore we have resolved to

spirit of lahore we have resolved to

spirit of lahore we have resolved to bring bat lahore to the glory that it

bring bat lahore to the glory that it

bring bat lahore to the glory that it deserves

deserves

deserves thank you very much for your attention

”

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