Hyderabad: Muslim wedding functions extending late into the night for the convenience of guests have an adverse effect on one’s health as eating rich food late at night causes gastric problems. Two decades ago weddings and dinners used to be wrapped up by around 8 pm but these days midnight is the new normal.
Mujtaba Hussain, a social worker, says indulging in rich food can cause lifestyle diseases. “For the sake of convenience to the guests this trend of late night marriages has caught on. The food served at marriages includes raw vegetable salads or Russian salad with sauces which form part of the seven course meal. The cut vegetables sourced from local markets can be generally seen lying in the pantry section of the marriage hall for the whole day. They may remain exposed to flies which are carriers of E. Coli bacteria which is a potential source of cholera, diarrhoea etc.”
According to the social worker, the chicken served generally at such parties could be laced with antibiotics and chemicals that are administered by the poultry industry for bulk orders. Mutton, too, is sourced from unknown and un certified sources. It may not be having proper GHMC stamp. It is alleged that even dead chicken is supplied when the order is a large one. The oil used is also not healthy, Mr Hussain claims.
“Moreover the huge demand for marriage related services has resulted in mushrooming of many function halls that dot the Old City landscape as also many other areas elsewhere. For the convenience, almost every service from flowers to food is outsourced. There are well established vendors who offer prompt and diligent services,” said Mansoor Ahmed, an event manager.
He added, “In almost every wedding that we arrange, the guests never arrive before 9 pm. Even the families of the bride and groom are least bothered about timing. They tend to come late. Till the time they arrive, the few guests who may have arrived early, are made to wait in the hall. The formal proceedings of the marriage including conveying greeings to the close relatives and photography starts only after the hosts arrive in the hall. All this takes a long time after which the food is served and by that time it's almost 12 am.”
