Hameed Sweets (Okara)

Pakistan / Punjab / Okara / Hospital Road
 store / shop  Add category
 Upload a photo
This MiTHai Shop (confectioner - حلوائی , مٹھائیاں بنانے والا, Sweets and Desserts Shop) was located at the Street corner. It was owned by Abdul Hameed since my childhood in early 50s. On the other corner of the street were two adjacent Pharmacies owned by Aman Ullah and Shaikh Abdul Khaliq. Next to the pharmacies, was Karam Din carpenter’s Furniture Shop who had made at least 18 feet long Dining Table for our Dining Room, in 1950. We had a Family Home in Okara where we used to get together with our Nana, Nani (grandparents) and other family members from all over Pakistan, on Holidays like Eid, Ramadan, and summer/winter vacation.

During my childhood, we were visiting Okara in October 1951, when, I heard the news of the assassination of Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan; the first Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Pakistan. As a child, I used to walk to Masjid Gole Ckowk, holding my Nana's finger (Qari Abu Muhammad Mohi Ul Islam Usmani). I saw everyone crying after hearing the sad news of Shaheed e Millat’s assassination. As a child I did not understand why adults were crying in the streets and at our home!

People left behind everything in India and migrated to Pakistan in 1947. They had not recovered from the migration losses, when they lost the founder and first Governor-General of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on September 11, 1948, because of his deteriorating health. A couple of years later they lost his close associate Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan because of an assassination attack… Tragedy after Tragedy!

I love Okara and have many memories associated it. Our family owned agricultural lands and fruit orchards (Bagh) in the vicinity of Okara, in Gogera, in Karman Wala, and in Marula (North of Renala Khurd). Gogera used to be District Headquarters prior to Montgomery-Sahiwal during British Rule. I grew up in Lahore, but Okara was like a second home for us.

In late 1970s, we moved to USA, and love it here, while my brother and sisters are still settled in Lahore. You can search for uzkmi, through Wikimapia Search Bar on top right and read more about my snippets or tidbits.

Usman Muhammad Khan
New Jersey 08054-3315 USA
Wikimapia User: uzkmi
Updated: August 30, 2012

dekhna royegi fariyaad karegi duniya
hum na honge to hume yaad karegi duniya
apne jeene ki ada bhi anokhi sab se
apne marne ka bhi andaaz nirala hoga

Ek Din Bik Jayega, Maati Ke Mol
Jag Mein Reh Jayenge Pyare Tere Bol

Dooje Ke Hothon Ko Dekar Apne Geet
Koi Nishani Chhor, Phir Duniya Se Dol
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   30°48'34"N   73°26'38"E

Comments

  • i am also from okara. and i like you article.. great wok Sir.
  • Born in 1989 i can't really imagine how people felt when they had to leave everything and "move over" to the other side , but reading this artical does bring a tear or 2 in my eyes. After going through this article i could'nt help but notice that you had mentioned that the place was owned by Mr Hameed in the earlier 1950s, do you know who was the owner of this place before partition..??. I don't have any substantial proof, but i believe that my grandfather Sh. Thakur Ram Singh war the owner. he left everything at the time of partition, at that time this place was known by the name "dogre di hatti". I really wish to go to Pakistan someday and visit this place.
  • Dear Husnan and Rahul, Thanks for your kind comments. You can contact me at uzkmi@yahoo.com.
  • Dear Rahul, Sorry I don't know who owned this sweetmeat/dessert store prior to partition of the sub-continent. You are most welcome to visit Pakistan. I an settled in USA with my family since early 1970s. However, I can arrange your stay in Okara with my family and friends.
  • Ya ALLAH , I ask You to Bless my friends, relatives and those that I care for deeply, those who are reading this right now.. strengthen their IMAAN at this very moment... Where there is pain, give them SALAAM and REHMAT. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, give them abundantly.. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Aameen!
This article was last modified 11 years ago