New York City—often called the beating heart of the world—is the identity of the United States of America, globally renowned for its towering skyscrapers and its life that never sleeps. Once nicknamed the “Big Apple,” today it is no mere apple, but a bouquet of thousands of cultures whose fragrance spreads across the globe. With a population of approximately 8.2 million people and spanning 321 square miles, it is the most densely populated city in North America and regarded as one of the most powerful economic centres in the world.
1. Times Square: Where the World Comes to a Pause
If New York is a universe in itself, then Times Square is its very centre. Known as the “Crossroads of the World,” it is a place where distinctions between American and foreigner seem to dissolve. What you witness here is not merely a crowd of Americans, but an ocean of humanity—people of different colours, races, religions, nations, and languages—blended into one vibrant mosaic, yet each preserving their individuality.
The one force that binds everyone in this city is pursuit. Some are here in pursuit of a better future, others in search of opportunity, some striving to create a better “today” for loved ones left behind. And I—I too arrived here driven by a quest. My quest was to understand what makes one nation rise above others. My destination is still far away, but the memories of this city have now become part of my soul.
2. A Sea of Lights and the Value of Time
The dazzling lights of Times Square are not merely an electrical spectacle; they are the visible interpretations of dreams. This iconic intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue gives birth to a new scene every passing moment. The lights dazzle the eyes and awaken dormant dreams. On ordinary days, more than 300,000 pedestrians pass through daily; on special occasions, the number exceeds half a million.
The massive digital screens mounted on skyscrapers serve as battlegrounds for global corporate advertising. A single advertisement here can cost millions in Pakistani rupees. Atop the central building stands the iconic illuminated ball—currently marked with “2025”—which emerges each New Year’s Eve as a symbol of renewed hope. When the ball drops, millions of hearts beat in unison, welcoming the new year with fresh promises.
3. Rule of Law and Our Tragedy
Walking through the streets of New York, the most striking feature is discipline. The city is divided into avenues and streets. High-rise hotels and steel-structured skyscrapers showcase architectural brilliance. Yet the true artistry lies in the traffic flowing smoothly—not out of fear, but out of respect for the law.
Unlike in Pakistan, one does not see clusters of traffic police at every intersection informally collecting “extra income.” Nor do bus drivers lean out of windows to spit betel juice onto the streets as a form of “local art.” Here, local or foreigner, the law applies equally to all.
I was reminded of my homeland—where roads are torn apart without planning for electoral gains, where concrete barriers are erected in the name of metro projects merely to display political billboards. In contrast, in New York, a simple red lane designates bus routes without disrupting the roads. There are no rickshaw noises, no reckless truck drivers asserting dominance. At nearly every corner, bicycle stands allow anyone to rent a bike for a dollar an hour and ride toward their destination.
4. The Cultural Divide and the Sting of Conscience
New Yorkers rise early and head to work at dawn. Markets open as soon as the sun rises. A pang strikes the heart—this discipline should have been the hallmark of our Islamic nation, where early rising is preached as virtue. Back home, markets open after noon and remain active past midnight in idle chatter. Neither our rulers, nor religious leaders, nor educators have instilled in our generation the discipline that elevates nations.
We were told that “Hindus and Christians” were destroying us. But the truth is, we have dismantled our own country with our own hands. We traded our rights for a plate of biryani. We divided ourselves by language, then sacrificed unity at the altar of sectarianism.
5. Animal Rights and Human Helplessness
One cold evening, holding a cup of coffee while seated on the red steps of Times Square, I watched the passersby. Some wore hijabs, others short skirts; one had a turban, another carried a pet dog or cat in their arms. As they passed with smiles, I felt as though they were not smiling at me—but at the helplessness of my 250 million people.
Their knowing smiles seemed to whisper that we would remain in darkness, for in our homeland even human rights are violated—let alone those of animals. Here, in Times Square, I saw pets roaming freely alongside their owners. It struck me that these animals enjoyed more rights and security than the average citizen in my country.
6. The Feeling of Servitude: A Bitter Truth
Burdened by these thoughts, I returned to my hotel room and turned on the television. A political leader’s booming voice echoed: “Are we slaves?”
The question pierced my soul. It felt as though it were directed straight at me. Tears flowed—perhaps the tears I had restrained on the streets. The words escaped my lips: “Yes. We have been slaves for 76 years.” Slaves to our own interests. Slaves to hollow slogans. Slaves to a broken system. We have mortgaged our future generations, and perhaps servitude has become our destiny.
With a heavy heart, I switched off the TV. Silence filled the room, but in my mind, the radiant lights of Times Square and the darkness of my homeland continued their silent battle. My journey to New York may end, but the realization of where we stand will never let me rest in peace.
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