Maj (R) Farooq Rana (2nd SSC)
Farooq Rana
Editor’s Note: Maj Farooq Rana is from Air Defence. He is an old Ravian and has settled in Lahore after retirement.
A wave of nostalgia swept over me when I read a few articles in Rawalpindi Blog about what the life used to be in Rawalpindi Cantt during 60s and 70s. I still vividly remember that Rawalpindi Cantonment was a nice captivating and serene location till early 70s. There was very little traffic on the roads. The roads were spotless, walkways were clean and one could see well maintained green patches on the sides of some roads. It was a fun to have a stroll in the evening in Saddar, Rawalpindi, particularly on the Bank Road.
The Mall, Rawalpindi (Opposite Pindi Club).
I regularly visited Pindi every now and then in 70s, especially between 1974 to 1977 when I had to visit Pindi for my foreign mountaineering expeditions and we used to do our purchases in Saddar area.
Even the foreigners with me were lured into the spellbound serenity and romantic charm of the Cantt. I remember that most of the trees in the Cantonment area had a trash basket at a reasonable height which we used quite often during our evening and late night promenades. The tranquil cantonment of those days would cast a spell so nostalgic on every visitor, that the more you think of it the more you long for it. One can not bring those silvery mornings and pollution free tranquil evenings of winter and summer both, but one can cherish the treasure of nostalgic memories of Rawalpindi Cantt.
The foreigners after returning to their countries named this phenomena as ‘PINDI NOSTALGIA’.
Related Pages:
Nostalgic Articles about Rawalpindi
Photos of Rawalpindi
Universities in Islamabad/Rawalpindi
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I have very vivid memories of Super Cafe. I am a Gordonian and have spent some memorable moments of my life in Super Cafe. God bless Chacha Mukhtar alias ‘Ganja Kukkar’. His vocabulary of abuses was unending.
Pindi’s great tragedy has been cutting of tree and demolition of historical buildings. This must be stopped lest we lose our proud heritage
One of the major setbacks to the beauty of Rawalpindi has been given in the shape of cutting down the trees. I still remember the green, cool roads of those days which are no more visible.
Nice article, what has happened to all the good folks that use to live in Pindi. When I visit Pindi now it appears to be a foreign land more like all good has been destroyed. I feel like an alien in a native land.
Very weii written piece. In fact one could say the same about some other Cantts viz Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Kohat, where I had the chance to live during 50s and 60s.. Population growth and resultant increase in traffic on the roads of these Cantts have ruined the calm evenings of these places. Keep writing, Farooq.
Very good depiction of old Rawalpindi. Good writing, Rana. Stay blessed and be in touch.
Dear Farooq, your article is wonderfully written. I am sure we will read more from you. Regards.
Farooq, thank you for sharing your experiences.
During those mountaineering days in the 70s, we used to live with the expeditions in Flashman and stroll in Saddar with the team. I remember the Japanese going on their own to the samosa corner. Eatables were so cheap that my British expedition guys literally thought they were for ‘free’.
Salaam and Duaa everyone. More of thanks to Cheema Sahib and all those who have contributed, through their articles, to nostalgia and memories of my beloved Rawalpindi of my school days.
Farooq Bhai, إن شاء الله we will have a cup of tea during my next visit to Lahore.
Many duaa’s for Pakistan.