Eat, pray & love

Eid-ul-Fitr, the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, was celebrated with devotional fervour in the twin cities on Monday.

It’s a special day not just for prayers and celebrations but also for family get-togethers, something that everyone looks forward to in this age of nuclear families.

 A city-based businessman and resident of Malakpet, Rahman Ali, explained, “Eid-ul-Fitr is more than just a festival.

 It’s a coming together of families to celebrate and be a part of each other’s lives.

 Everyone is welcomed.

 No one is turned away on this day.

” Farooq Ebrahim, a resident of Padmarao Nagar, chipped in that he would be going to his eldest brother’s house.

 “The day begins with Eid Namaz.

 After that, we five brothers and their families get together for lunch,” he said.

 The celebrations at his brother’s residence go on till late evening.

 For women, it is an occasion to meet and chat like in good old days, whereas children look forward to collect their ‘Eidi’ the pocket money given as gift.

 “For us it’s all about Eidi!!!” exclaimed 13-year-old Zubair Ahmed who was all excited to go out with his cousins.

 “All of us cousins go out for ice cream in the evening, or to any other place after taking our Eidi,” he said.

 His cousin Abdul Rahman too is equally excited but is unhappy that Haleem won’t be available.

 But they will have sheer khurma at home.

 For large families like those of which Sharifa Siddiqui is a part, it is a very memorable day when relatives and friends pour in throughout the day.

 “I have no time to even sit and have a casual chat.

 The children run around and perhaps, this is the only day when the TV remains switched off!,” she said.

 For youngsters, it’s like getting back to their routine life after an austere month.

 “I had stopped gym and exercises during the whole month.

 Now, it’s time to get back to some action,” said Tanveer Ahmed from West Marredpally.

 Meanwhile, the streets remained deserted near Charminar and the Old City and as the festival ends with Eid, the month-long shopping, especially late night shopping and Haleem days are over.