Milad-un-Nabi cheer even without cash in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Unable to buy products due to shortage of small change, hoteliers, event mangers, lighting experts, decorators and other vendors have come forward to help people celebrate Milad-un-Nabi on Monday.

Flags, lights and also decorations have been placed at various locations in the city to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed. Most of the decorators have done it without charging any money as there is either no cash or no change available with people.

Vendors decided to use their available wares and celebrate the festival and not allow the impact of demonetisation to dampen their spirits.

Hotelier Mohammed Akram said, “There is a shortage of change everywhere. Many families have been waiting in bank queues for more than two hours and are told there is no cash. We have decided that food will be cooked and served to as many people as possible.

Mr Mir Hadi Ali, an activist, told this newspaper, “The government should have made some arrangements for cash for the people during the festival. As that has not happened, many people have decided to have a common kitchen to celebrate.”

While groceries were being procured from kirana stores on credit, elders had to step in to secure goats and chicken from traders. Sweets were prepared at many homes and distributed to those who may not have the resources.

Non-Muslims join blood donors
Thirty non-Muslims and 70 hearing and speech impaired person donated blood at Golconda which on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi on Sunday. Mr Mohammed Rafi, co-ordinator of the blood donation camp said, “This is for the first time non-Muslims and hearing impaired persons have come forward. We were surprised but are very happy and grateful for the gesture.”

Blood donation camps are held every year but this year the response has been better with more than 700 people donating blood at various camps held in the Old City for three days. Every year, for the past few years, maulanas request youngsters at mosques to donate blood on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi. Mr Rafi said, “This year we saw lots of middle-aged persons donating blood. We held an awareness drive on blood donation for 10 days and it proved  effective.”