Sir: My home is located near Walton Road, in Lahore. Those familiar with this city know that this is a major artery that is always busy, including at night and on weekends. The only break we seem to get from the noise and pollution created by the constant traffic is on national holidays. However, not on August 14. Our young men have created this absurd tradition where they all ride their bikes and cars without silencers at full speed on this day, while hooting, blowing horns and engaging in other kinds of unsavoury antics. However, I don’t blame them, it’s not like they have any other avenues to spend their energy these days. However, I am still writing this letter to your esteemed newspaper hoping that some young people will read this and reconsider how they celebrate their independence day for the sake of old timers such as myself who have grown increasingly sensitive to noise with age, and of course their own safety as well. SHAHID AMIN Lahore Published in Daily Times, August 16th 2018.