Eidi' ka chand, mubarak

Come the holy month of Ramzan; the city’s on an impromptu celebratory mode! And justifiably so —  As Eid, the festival of ‘feast’ivity, brings with it a host of gaiety, unmissable gastronomical delights and good will. While there certainly will be a beeline for the signature Eid biryani, youngsters in the city tell us about how, this year around, they have their sights set on a rather lucrative tradition  – Eidi! We’ve documented some of the most interesting responses that came to us.

“Being the youngest of five, I am undoubtedly the most pampered when it comes to Eidi. I demand money from all my siblings. Though I’m earning, this is like my right and I fight till I get it. I demand Rs 5,000 from each sibling. But again, Eid is about giving and taking, so I also give Eidi to my nieces and nephews. Over the years, Eidi has changed. When I was a kid I would get Rs 10, but now none takes less than Rs 500 or Rs 1,000,” quips Rubina Patel, a radio professional.

While it’s certainly an attractant, the sole purpose doesn’t end at handing over the moolah, but rather revelling in sheer indulgence. Speaking about the same, MC Abbas says, “For me, it’s not just about the money. It’s gifting time! No matter how old I get, I’d always look forward to getting Eidi, since I have a lot of my khandaan in Bengaluru, I get a lot. I also make it a point to not just stop at money. I gift dresses and goodies to my nieces. After biryani and sheer korma at home I take all of them out for hot chocolate fudge and death by chocolate.”

Treading along a similar path, for Naaila Khan, a fashion curator and writer, it’s about pampering herself with all the eidi moolah. “I’m getting rose gold highlights! While I don’t expect it, it’s always nice when elders give you money anyway. It’s not about the money, it’s just nice to know that you have someone to take care of you (or spoil you, depending on how much Eidi they gift you!) however old or rich you get. And it’s the feeling that counts and makes it all the more special.”

Adding to the same, Simera Anwar, who works with Play Academy, states, “Last year, I got Rs 30,000 but this year I’ve got lucky as I got beautiful dresses and Chaand balis from Hyderabad from my siblings which I plan to wear on Eid, cash gifts would be around the same as last year and I plan to spend it in Manali as that’s where I’m going right after Eid a much deserved holiday.”

With blessings and gifts bountiful, is the season quite the harbinger of all things good and pious? It indeed is! Shahid Haq, a car designer, who also runs a popular eating out chain in the city, reveals how his restaurant has rolled out a rather thought worthy initiative: Donating blood to make blood transfusion possible for those in dire need.

Speaking about the same, he shares, “ Yes, Eid is about celebrating, and I will always look forward to getting and giving Eidi. But again, to me, it’s about lending a hand to those in need. Let’s not forget the bigger picture — the idea of the festival is to be grateful and spread goodness monetarily!”