Ludhiana: where sweaters get knit, but traffic rules unravel

Ah, Ludhiana! The city that stitches India’s woollens but can’t sew up its basic civic sense. Growing up here is like riding a bicycle with no brakes — chaotic, thrilling, and occasionally airborne. Our Sutlej River and Sidhwan Canal — let’s just say they’ve graduated from “holy rivers” to “open sewers with existential crises.” And then there’s Buddah Nullah — the only election promise that’s more recycled than plastic bottles.

An outsider, a colleague from Hoshiarpur, thinks Ludhiana’s “unplanned” vibe is a code for “organised chaos”. Her favourite rant, “Raasta pucho to log ghar tak chodne aate hain (Ask for directions, and people accompany you home)!” Well, we’re either too helpful or just being Ludhianvi, especially while giving directions: “Oye, left layin fer sidhe jaake rickshaw wale nu puchh” (Take a left, then go straight and ask a rickshaw-puller). She tolerates this city like a bad haircut but that’s because her paycheck depends on it.

But for a true blue Ludhianvi — the city is like the sweaters it knits — sometimes tight, sometimes loose, but always full of character. If you can survive Ludhiana, you can survive any city… except maybe Chandigarh’s look-alike roundabouts!” At least our chaos comes with free rides and good life advice.

Uday Sharma, Ludhiana