Daily Times

LAHORE: A rainy day is a different thing to different people of Lahore. Either it is a drizzle or downpour; Lahorites never miss a chance to celebrate the rain. “I love to eat mangoes (on a rainy day) and I’m going to eat lots of them today too,” said Ahmed, one motorcyclist, buying mangoes from a roadside vendor on Raiwind, on Sunday, after rains lashed the city.

Heavy rains in the much awaited monsoon season are always welcome in Lahore as people come out of their houses and enjoy the pleasant weather. Major parks and picnic spots attract a large number of people, including women and children. In Pakistan, the monsoon season sets in the early July and continues till the end of September.

The rainy, besides picnickers, brings a great relief for farmers’ paddy and cotton crops too. According to Met office, this monsoon season will bring more rains than the last year. The Sunday rain was all about celebration and joy. Almost all neighborhoods on Raiwind Road and other parts of the city were filled with the aroma of pakoras, samosa and other oiled, fried food. “No rain day celebration is complete without pakoras,” says Bushra Butt of Gulberg.

A great rush was witnessed on the roads as a majority of the people love to enjoy a cool breeze after the rain. Most of the time, mugginess follows the rain, but Sunday’s heavy rains brought about a pleasant change with the cool breeze. “Most of the people go for long drives with their families and friends,” said Ali, driving his car on Canal Road. His route was The Mall and Gulberg Main Boulevard.

The season brings joys for children as they love to have showers in rains. “I’m very excited that it’s raining because I can play with my friends in rains,” said eight-year old Mohsin, splashing puddles on Raiwind Road, A lone man was walking along Raiwind Road. “I love to walk alone in the rain and I enjoy my own company,” said the jogging man, who introduced him Rafay.

Unlike the majority of the people, who love outdoor activities after the rains, some people love relaxing at home. “I get to stay at home and relax when it rains and that’s one of the happiest moments,” said Zubair Khan, a government official. On a roadside stall of pakoras, Aminah said, “My friends and I are out having naan pakoras and enjoying the rain.”

“After scorching heat this was a much needed rain and we’re having fun,” said Usman, who was on the driving seat of his car. “We are enjoying soulful music played on radio,” said Mahnoor, who was out on a long drive with her husband. Some children were floating paper boats in a puddle on Riawind, which also a very rare scene.