When the editor of this newspaper commissioned me to write an article on 'how Lahore can be made cycle friendly', I thought that making a list of things that could be done was one way to go about it, but to convince everyone about the need to cycle would be more effective. Once the need for cycle-friendly cities is understood, the 'how' is merely procedural -- a means to an end.

To begin with, we have to understand that our cities, and especially Lahore, are polluted; and that if we don't do something to improve the air quality in our urban areas, we are, for sure, killing ourselves. Urban air quality deteriorates because of an excess of commercial and industrial activity. It also deteriorates because of a scandalously poor sewerage and sanitation system. But the air in our cities is also made poisonous by the emissions of the many hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of private automobiles that congest city roads.

Incidentally, the increase in automobile usage has lots to do with the way our cities have been allowed to grow. Because of our insistence of living in detached bungalows, our cities have fallen victim of urban sprawl (the alternative is higher-density, low rise and environmentally-efficient habitats with dramatically smaller footprints). Massive urban footprints means an increase in commuting distances and commuting time. And, since none of our cities have invested in public transport, the only means of getting around is the automobile. Most "planned" housing schemes involve using a car to perform basic household chores like getting milk and eggs. Meanwhile, using an automobile is the most polluting thing any one of us does on a regular basis. No amount of forgetting to switch a light off at night or letting the tap run while you brush your teeth can compare to the fossil fuels burnt while driving from A to B in our increasingly congested and polluted cities.

Secondly, we must realize that mobility is a basic human right. Because we don't, our increasingly automobile dependant cities violate this right on a regular basis. Because our cities have become so large, and because there is no public transport, only people who can afford access to private automobiles have the advantage of mobility. Anyone who cannot afford a car simply can't compete with the "automobile elite" when it comes to getting around for things like work, entertainment, family and recreation. In Lahore, less than 15 percent of the population has access to a private automobile on a daily basis. In such circumstances, the fact that there's nothing by way of public transport means that, immediately, the elderly, the infirm and the female population of this and other cities are, effectively, rendered immobile and their right to mobility violated. With the potential of so many Pakistani's dampened by simply the fact that our cities are automobile dependent, the right to mobility is one of this country's least appreciated fundamental rights.

Thirdly, we must understand that automobile dependent cities and lifestyles are, in fact, incredibly unequal and undemocratic. The amount of money governments spends on the construction and maintenance of roads -- which are enjoyed predominantly by the automobile elite -- is grossly disproportionate to the needs of the majority poor. For example, for the budget year 2008-2009, the Government of Punjab allocated Rs 35 billion to health, public health and education. On the other hand, the singular allocation for roads and underpasses was Rs 45 billion. If anyone wants to understand why Pakistan has so many sick and illiterate children, it's because the money that should have gone towards better schools, better medical education, better salaries for public sector doctors and better healthcare facilities is being spent on only those people who have the means to access private automobiles. That's certainly not what I voted for.

Budget allocations are not the only thing that is unequal or undemocratic. The automobile also has a strange ability to distort perceptions. What else can account for our indifference to the suffering of children begging at red lights. Something happens to people in cars that stop them from having a human -- a humane -- reaction. Socially, if you don't have a car, it's assumed you don't count for anything. And it's not unusual to suggest that, on our roads, a person driving a car is treated differently from a man walking or cycling.

Parenthetically, note that it's always the "man" on the street and never the "woman": our urban experience is startlingly misogynist, a natural byproduct of having anti-public and anti-person urban planning, and also a reason moralists find it so easy to point a finger at something they call our "culture" when defending the segregation of women and their gradual exclusion from public places.

We may claim our elections are proof of our commitment to democracy, but anyone who looks at a city street can testify that our roads are evidence otherwise.

Fourthly, we must understand that our automobile dependent cities are also a massive burden on the economy. Fully 55 percent of the petroleum that's imported into this country (the oil import bill alone is in excess of US$ 6-7 billion) is consumed by the transport sector. At the same time, government is struggling to keep the economy from imploding. That's involved accepting oil "facilities" from the Saudi government which means, essentially, that we haven't the money to go on purchasing oil with dollars we can't come up with. More cycles mean less cars and less money spent on fueling them.

And lastly, we must realize that cycling is a solution to all the problems listed above. Cycle-friendly cities are less polluted, as fewer fossils fuels are burnt when people opt not to use cars. Cycle-friendly cities are often less congested with traffic as more cyclists can translate to fewer cars. Their roads are safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians. They are safer, more democratic and, as a bonus, cycling is also something that almost everyone can do. They provide mobility and allow people to exercise their right to get around. Cycle-friendly cities are also designed smaller and are, therefore, easier to get around. This is true of Lahore, and, as an avid cyclist, I'm witness to the fact that, at the moment, most of Lahore isn't very large or difficult to get around either. Given the city's automobile traffic, getting from A to B on a cycle usually isn't more than 20 minutes longer than the corresponding car ride.

My grandmother and her sisters used to cycle when they were in college in Lahore. My father often rented a cycle along with other friends when they went out at night. As a child, I enjoyed cycling around my neighborhood and beyond. But in a surprisingly short period of time, cycling has become a thing of the past. Enrique Penalose, the former Mayor of Bogota and the man responsible for making Bogota a pedestrian and cycle-friendly city in merely three years, once told me that the reason for such a change in social practice was simple: it was because of the our dependence on the automobile.

Making Lahore a cycle-friendly city is a statement about one's understanding of the environmental and urban planning issues facing the city. It's a statement about one's belief in equality and democracy. And it's statement of one's commitment to making Lahore a better, cleaner, safer place to live. If one wanted to make Lahore a cycling-friendly city, they'd be best advised that they could (i) introduce car-free days once a month; (ii) tax the usage of automobiles; (iii) increase parking fees for cars; (iv) invest in public transport; (iv) re-introduce cycle rentals; (v) officially promote cycling or any number of other initiatives. Or one could simply go out and get a cycle for themselves.

Dare I question Daddy Darwin's theory about the evolution of living species. But, with time, the advancement in technology has chronicled through my cortex to an extent that I have become a believer in the evolution of the non-living. I understand your expression; I do merit the label "materialistic".

Speaking of being materialistic; I recently happened to purchase an iPod. It wasn't as easy as it sounds. When I walked into the shop, I entered into an unexplored territory of technology from the first rack till the last.

It wasn't like I would go pick one of my choice, pay and leave. Each iPod was different from the other. Now, by different I don't mean different shapes or colours but different features. The colour variety was so diverse that within minutes my life was in Technicolor. Picking a colour had never been this hard. After causing much hullabaloo at the store, I finally settled for the iPod Nano. But that wasn't the end. I entered into state of indecisiveness again when the shopkeeper asked "In how many GB would you prefer that, baji?" In my mind I started estimating the how many songs, videos, and episodes of TV serials I wanted to upload. Once I did the math, I settled for the 16GB iPod Nano. Oh, I forgot to mention the colour. Yellow. My 16GB Yellow iPod Nano.

First or I should rather use the word "primitive" iPods were shelved in stores way back in 2001 but the mini iPod replacement took place in 2005. It came only in 1, 2 and 4 GB and its colour spectrum was only limited to black and white. Strange isn't it, how all things first come in black and white. Then with time the storage capacity increased, colour choices were refreshed and additional features were added to each newer model. Soon iPods with video capability were introduced and then with added accelerometers for shake and horizontal viewing, video cameras, larger screens, an FM radio, a pedometer, and a polished exterior case. Technology evolved; from Nano to Shuffle and from Shuffle to Touch. And now there is an iPod with Wi-Fi and a Multi-Touch interface and not to mention iPhone 3G.

When you really come to think of it, in a way, all this variety seems superficial. The basic features of all iPods are more or less identical. The basic technology is the same. Just by the addition of one or two features one product is made to outshine the other and hence cause technological evolution.

At the same time we are caught in the net of marketing strategies and are completely oblivious to it because one product evolves from the other and its features tower those of the former and we are such stubborn human beings that we want the newer one the "better" one.

Each newly born innovation is little more user-friendly with enhanced usability and easier access than its ancestors. To pocket ease, we sign fat cheques.

We are walking (in fact flying) into an era of technological advances where khokhas are replaced by vending machines, people have to change cell phones every now and then because a newer model has a newer technology which makes life a little easier. Runners need new running shoes because a new iPod sports kit has been introduced. Now you put the sensor under the sole of your shoe (which belongs to a certain brand) and then connect the receiver to your iPod Nano. There you are all ready to run and conquer the world with technology, literally, under your feet.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all becoming slaves to technology. It has taken us into its trance and we might never wake up from it because it keeps evolving, from one innovation to the other. "Curiouser and Curiouser" I hear my materialistic self say -- just like Alice in the wonderland when she felt that she was opening up like a telescope. It is just that I feel that in my wonderland, technology is.

Bird Show 2009 today at Avari Hotel from 9:30am to 6:00pm. There will be lots of activities for kids and grown ups alike which will include live painting competition, puppet show, horse riding, golf, kids play room and lots more. You will also get to see the breeders making their birds perform tricks as part of the competition.

Seminar/Workshop on "Application of Tree Ring Data in Pakistan & Biodiversity Conversation" in Government College University Lahore from Mon, Oct 5 to Wed, Oct 7.

Lahore International Children's Film Festival from Tue, Oct 6 to Sun, Oct 11. Film show will start at 9:00am.

Textile Asia: International Textile & Garment Machinery Show at Expo Centre Lahore from Sat Oct 10 to Tue, Oct 13.

Ghazal Night at Peerus Cafe every Friday at 9pm.

Jazz Night at Peerus Cafe every Saturday

at 9pm featuring live performance

by Jazz Moods.

health

One out of every four deaths in the country is caused by tuberculosis. 26 percent deaths can be avoided through treatment. Most patients fall in the productive age ranging between 15 and 45, with half of the percentage being women.

Gulab Devi Hospital which is of vital importance to the general public as it is the largest charity hospital and provides free treatment to TB patients, is suffering from several problems the most important being lack of doctors and budget crunch. Currently this large hospital has about 1500 beds and less than 50 doctors.

Medical Superintendent of Gulab Devi hospital and Chest Specialist, Dr Muhammad Akram, says, "The budgetary constraints is an important hurdle as many development plans suffer which include utilization of modern technology in curing the patients and also human resource". He stresses that although the hospital has "adequate" facilities these are not enough because in order to survive within their budget they have to compromise on latest machinery and strength of doctors. The government does help but that is inadequate.

Dr Akram underlined the need for more such hospitals as this is a disease found among the poor and illiterate class. The number of TB patients has increased in hospitals. Poverty is the major cause. In Lahore's low income residential areas, heaps of garbage are a common sight whether it is Sodiwal or Kala Khatai Road, Shahdara. He showed satisfaction in DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Strategy) campaign of the government and also asked the media to join hands with the government and make people aware of TB.

The treatment of tuberculosis is so high that a poor man cannot afford it. This contributes to the instance of disease in Pakistan. Four out of five patients in Pakistan remain undetected or untreated. Poor management of this vital disease which includes availability of modern equipment in hospitals and ignorance of patients contribute to the more infectious Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) Tuberculosis which is a way too expensive than the normal TB. If the cost of normal treatment of TB is around Rs 5,000, in case of MDR it reaches as high as Rs. 250,000 which is simply unaffordable for patients, majority of whom are poor.

Dr. M.Aqeel-ur-Rehman, M.B.B.S D.T.C.D, a Chest Specialist at Gulab Devi, tells about the increase in rate of TB patients, "The main reasons are poverty, ignorance and illiteracy. The duration of TB treatment is eight months but the patients, after undertaking the treatment for a couple of months, think they are absolutely fine and stop the treatment which further deteriorates their health and transform the minor TB into MDR Tuberculosis. It is universally accepted that a partially treated TB patient is worse than an untreated one". He urges media to educate people on how deadly this disease can turn out to be if not treated properly.

The government should spend on TB instead of spending hefty amount on HIV/AIDS. Moreover, medicines should be given free of cost. Director TB Directorate Health Department, Darakshan Badar, talking about the high rate of TB in Pakistan, says, "The biggest problem we face in treatment of this disease is lack of human resource. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has helped throughout. Though some training sessions have been set up for them, it causes greater problem and makes the process slow. It is possible to get rid of this disease by 2025 with the commitment of the institutions."

She even proposed that in order to fight against this centuries old disease, government should put the budget of TB as non development site so that the process is not revised every two years. Making medicines available in rural areas would also motivate people to go for treatment of this disease which is curable.

More attention should be given on the training of the human resource as we do not have many experts on the disease and the biggest problem which the campaign against TB faces is lack of human resource. DOTS has been a good step forward by the government through which medicines are made available for free, encouraging the poor to undergo treatment.

Due to flaws in the governmental health infrastructure in Pakistan, a large number of tuberculosis patients in both rural and urban areas visit private clinics run by general practitioners (GPs) who are not very capable of curing the disease.

Laughter throughout

Last week, the English theatre scene in Lahore stirred from the summer slumber as 17 year old Dawar Lashari's ZoDash Productions presented Boeing Boeing, a farcical comedy, to the jam packed Ali Auditorium for four consecutive days. Of course it had to be a comedy, as it normally is for fledgling productions keen on roping in sponsors, and wary of the precarious sensibilities of an audience of the pre teen and undergrad variety. Boeing Boeing, though funny to the core, was in essence, just that: a witty, chopped down version of a classic farce, produced for an audience of the pre teen and undergrad variety.

Originally labeled as a sex comedy, the Pakistani version steered clear of controversy and the only heat it managed togenerate was on the face of male lead Ian Eldred, who sweated in the September humidity of Lahore literally from head to toe. Ironically, the play was sponsored by a leading tissue paper brand. Yet despite having a box of Rose Petal strategically placed right next to him, Ian soaked in sweat, an irritant hard to ignore, regardless of his superb acting skills.

Ijlal Khan, a familiar figure from Shah Sharabeel's productions, debuted as a director and showed his skill at stirring uninterrupted laughter remarkably well. The casting was average, and the job of delivering the comic brilliance of slapstick rested solely on the shoulders of Ian, the 24 year old Canadian-Irish-Pakistani, who despite the sweating, dazzled the audience with his highly energetic performance. Making the stage come alive the moment he stepped on it, he undoubtedly was the star of the play. But more on Ian later, first let's have a look at the story line.

The original script of Boeing Boeing is a Marc Camoletti, French classic with a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most performed play in the world. Those unfamiliar with the work of Camoletti and the Jerry Lewis film adaptation of Boeing Boeing might still be familiar with the story line of the play, courtesy the Indian film Garam Masala, a recent Akshey Kumar starrer that borrowed heavily from the said play.

The main character is an affluent playboy, Bernard, who faces a self created dilemma of having three fiancés, each unaware of the others' existence. All the three girls are flight attendants; the American, Janet; the French, Jacqueline; and the German, Judith. Bernard tracks their airline timetables and cleverly juggles his rendezvous depending on their respective arrival and departure. Enters Robert, Bernard's school friend, and his visit coincides with a farcical mess up. Owing to a faster Boeing jet, changed flight schedules and weather upsets, all the three girls land at his doorstep together and thus emerge a perfect recipe for a comedy of errors.

Robert steps in to help Bernard keep the girls separate. In typical farcical tradition there is much screaming and shouting, slamming of the doors, confusion and cover ups, all eventually leading to a comical reconciliation.

Bernard played by Shan Lashari, was apparently the central character of the play but it was Ian as Robert, who stole the show. While Shan was hardly convincing as a suave play boy, and emerged more as your average henpecked idiot, there Ian put the stage on fire with perfectly exaggerated body language and spontaneous punch lines. Out of the three girls, Rudaba Zehra Nasir as Judith, shone, and delivered a powerful performance, all with a perfectly affected German accent and haughty demeanor that gelled superbly with Ian's. A veteran from Bombay Dreams, Phantom of the Opera and Tom Dick and Harry, Rudaba has been criticized for screaming her lines, but for this role she screamed them just the right way. The other two girls, A'hera Mathew as Jacqueline and Sana Sheikh as Janet were forgettable. Although superb attention was given to developing their respective accents, not much was done to create the look conforming to their roles. As a result, even the allusion to their nationalities was lost, and in the end they were just a couple of Pakistani girls, with elusive accents, pretending to be what they were not. Bernard's butler Bertie, played by Arsalan Nasir, was cute with his Texan drawl and a kiss the cook apron.

Devoid of any background music or any special light effects, Boeing Boeing was minimalistic in its sets and simplistic in costume. Yet a noteworthy effort that heralded the prospect that more young and educated people want to contribute to theatre now, hence should be encouraged, promoted and praised till they eventually write their own scripts and create an audience for the niche they carve for themselves.