The
entire Gujranwala in Pakistan is famous for his delicious foods. People love eating
and they invite others for eating too. I lived few years of my childhood in Old
City, which is the Hub of food till present day. There is a long list of sweets
like,Berfi, Gulab Jamin, Rusgula,Qulfi,Pateesa, shaker Pary and last but not
least my favorite Jalebi. Jalebi
reminds me of Cha-Cha (uncle) “Aloo” a
fat man of middle age with a broad smile. I had a habit of buying jalebi
from Chacha Aloo’s Shop in Mohallah Guru Nanuk Pura. He used to open his shop
from 5pm-12am in summers and 4pm to 10pm in winters. After learning Quran
Sharif from Qari Sahib in Masjid we had a joint gathering at his shop every
evening. He was always ready to serve fresh cooked Jalebis to all my friends
and cousins. There is another famous spot for Jalebis made of Desi gee in
Mohallah Tutian Wala near Daray wali Masjid.
We
were regular customer of Chacha Aloo’s Shop because of its proximity to our
street. Things started changing suddenly, and we moved from old city to Peoples
Colony and then to Islamabad. My visits to Chacha’s shop became rare. Last
year, when I visited the Old city of Gujranwala, I went to see the Jalebi shop
first. There was no sign of jalebi shop, old shop was being demolished and a
new grocery shop was waiting for us. The few old shop keepers of my childhood
told me that Cha-Cha “Aloo” is no more. He died few years back. I even never
dare to ask his real name. He was just a sweet Chacha of all my age fellows.
His sweet Jalebis will always remind me of my childhood.
Photo Credit: www.freestockphotosclub.com
Photo Credit: www.freestockphotosclub.com
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