Lucknow: Revive, to Arrive into the Future

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What will Lucknow be like in 2050? Will Chikankari and Zardosi artisans finally break free from exploitation and reclaim their craft’s legacy? Can eco-friendly innovation coexist with age-old traditions? Imagine a city where cultural heritage thrives alongside modern governance, where pollution is replaced by green energy, and where conscious tourism uplifts the community. Is this vision of a harmonious, inclusive Lucknow just a dream or a glimpse of the future?

As COVID-19 sweeps across the planet indiscriminately, leaving deaths, mayhem and disappointments in its wake, I consider myself to be very privileged to have the luxury to stay safe and comfortable at home. This ‘self-quarantine’ has given me ample time to telescope into the future and paint the face and form of my city in 2050 with the colours of my imagination.

My city, Lucknow, the capital of the most populated state—a fast-becoming metropolitan in the heart of the nation, a city of political awakening, a city of historical monuments, Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and the city of Nawabs—is the long-cherished cultural capital of the nation.

All of us who have some interest in cultural heritage or are aware of fashion tidbits must be familiar with Chikankari (delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics) and Zardosi (metal embroidery). Both of them have their origins in Lucknow. Their exquisite beauty and global demand have earned these crafts GI tags and claims of a major chunk of foreign exchequer, but this fame and fortune are miles away from the artisans who have been putting their blood and sweat into this craft for generations. They get a meagre Rs 15-30/- for each piece of apparel. Apart from the everyday challenges of poverty and indebtedness, they have to contend with hours of mind-numbing toil and resulting serious health issues like loss of eyesight and painful cervical spondylosis. Hence, new generations are averse to continuing in this field, and these crafts are meeting a slow death. 

In Lucknow of 2050, these artisans would hold the steering of their fate in their own hands. They would organise themselves into self-help groups and, with the interface of technology, market their products at a global level without any inter-mediators. This would fetch them huge profits and enable them to not only free themselves from the clutches of poverty and exploitation, but they would also be able to organise exhibitions at various forums. They would not only sell their products but also conduct workshops, which would invoke the interest of a new generation towards this rich craft. There would be dedicated schools and universities for teaching and new innovations in these crafts. I envision a similar fate for all the material (e.g., Chinhat pottery, Block Paintings, etc.) and non-material (e.g., Kathak) cultural heritage.

Lucknow has always exercised an irresistible pull for history lovers, not only because it is dotted with a number of historical monuments but also because history here unfolds itself in people's lives and activities. But due to inadequate infrastructure and insufficient safety measures, we have not been able to develop tourism up to its full potential. In 2050’s Lucknow, not only would there be international-level amenities and facilities, but local people would also be involved to ensure community participation and employment generation.

I shed this much focus on the cultural heritage of the city and its revival because, in the past, the city has been an example of cultural excellence, and unless we re-appropriate our cultural heritage authentically, it would be absurd to talk of global leadership.

My next concern is the deteriorating environment accompanying the so-called development of the city. In a recent report, it has been put forward that Lucknow is the fourth most polluted city in the country and the second most polluted city in the state. In 2050’s Lucknow, there would be an emphasis on following ‘Es’:

• Eco-friendly technology is adopted in every field of production

• For evaluation of any developmental project, the following will be the criteria:

  • Environmental protection

  • Ecological balance

  • Environmental efficiency

• Emphasis on Eco-education

• Effective accountability system for environmental protection

There would be the development of renewable and pollution-free energy resources, a zero-waste strategy, the development of green buildings, etc. And man and nature would coexist in complete harmony.

As far as governance is concerned, there would be an emphasis on “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” to allow faster flow of information, simplification of procedures, identification and repeal of obsolete laws, leveraging technology to bring transparency in the public interface, accountable methods for effective delivery of goods and services, a robust public grievance address system, and more and more participation of civil society in governance.

I am confident that till 2050, my city (in fact, the whole world) would be treading the path of sustainable and all-inclusive development where the fruits of development would be shared by all…

There would be no chotus working in a dhaba, no woman facing abuse inside or outside the house, and no person dying in deprivation, and if any crisis (like COVID-19) erupts, there would be more solidarity and scientific advancement reflected in our efforts.

About the Author

Aishwarya

Aishwarya is a MA Geography student from the Delhi School of Economics at the University of Delhi. Hailing from the city of Lucknow, Aishwarya is a deeply philosophical person and a lover of non-fiction books. Exuding love and warmth, she has immense belief in the power of ordinary people, poems, stories, and art to change the world.