hile fire rains down upon us from the heavens, leaving Lahoris smoldering, fasting remains no easy task this time around the advent of Ramazan coinciding with absolutely atrocious weather. Yet, we are a hardy lot, much impervious to hardships and life continues.

Some relief was provided over the weekend and one hopes its effects last.

The other day a few relatives pointed out that like all media, one did not have anything positive to write about the country.

Well here goes: apart from the hardiness mentioned earlier, we are probably the most charitable people around. This becomes dramatically highlighted during the holy month of fasting.

Homes and distribution pointsscattered all over Lahore become engaged in doling out food for the needy, especially at the time of breaking the fast. Without sounding judgmental, there is an addendum to this positivity; a direct correlation between wealth and charity exists: the accumulation of most wealth dubious in our context. Yet, as long as there are people like Abdul Sattar Edhi, who despite being terribly ill refuses treatment abroad, unlike some others, we have some hope. We can be kind and considerate on a collective basis as envisioned, for this month at least, partaking of the spirit of religion.

How is one to remain positive, when confronted with things which in reality set one`s heart aflame? A mother in Lahore con-signs her teenage daughter to flames. Apparently, the girl`s crime was that she decided tomarry someone of her own volition. While these events were taking place in Lahore, in nearbyKasur a woman was burnt by her husband and in-laws. She remains critical in a local hospital.

Ironically, the husband`s business was selling kerosene. No one could guess, despite having a child from this woman, he would turn out to be a merchant of death.

These are not isolated cases, rather symptoms of a prevailing chauvinistic mindset. The recent disparaging remarks by a federal minister towards a female parliamentarian are quite reflective of this tendency. Most of these crimes are committed under the guise of honour. What honour: more likely a case of unbridled hubris. The closeness and nature of relations involved in these instances leaves one totally bewildered. The concept of moth-erhood, the flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood, stands null and void: the absence of an underlying element of humanity entirely apparent. If there is little value to your life, what value in setting it ablaze? In the words of Billy Joel: `We didn`t start the fire, It was always burning, since the world was turning, No we didn`t light it, but we tried to fight it.` Perhaps this is what is require d; more people fighting this fire rather than being inclined towards lighting it. Perhaps collectively we may be able to quench it to an extent.

Much has been written about the passing of `the Greatest` Mohammad Ali. While still in school, every time Ali fought, wewere given the day off. Our t-shirts and shorts were adorned with his images and stickers.

Apart from his skills and antics in andoutside thering,herepresented aspirations. It was time of much ferment; racial, social, political, economic, and ideological.

Racism was prevalent, a bipolar global configuration existed in terms of capitalism and socialism, and developing countries faced remnants of colonialism in the form of economic and physical coercion. Ali went against the grain and stood his ground at home, in the process capturing the hearts of millions abroad.

May you always float with the butterflies, now that life`s stings are over. Farewell, `black superman`. AM Lahori