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Besties, Eid & bounties...
It can’t get better than celebrating Eid-ul-Fitra with best friends joining them over the traditional dastarkhwan. There are many out there who are celebrating the festival with their friends from different community and religion. While some are playing gracious hosts, others are just delighted to be their guests.
Here is how young Lucknowites have planned to celebrate the sweet festival with diversity.
Youngster Shivangi Singh, who has been celebrating Eid with her friend Sheza for 6 years now, eagerly awaits Eid every year. “Two of my besties and I, form an adorable trio. We always celebrate festivals together. Every year during Ramazan we go to Sheza’s place, set the table and keep looking at the clock for iftaar. On the day of Eid, her family members always make it a point to give us some small gift as Eidee”, she says.
Honestly, many feel that Indians are really fortunate to have been surrounded by so many cultures and traditions, one such young girl Mahek believes that whatever she has learnt about other religions in a way that no book can teach is because of her friends who are from diverse cultures.
She has been visiting her neighbour Sahar Ahmad since she was a six-year-old. “I go over to her place on every Eid and I’m always keen on knowing about her traditions and food. Being a Punjabi, chicken is by far my favourite. And the sweets that follow the meal are mouthwatering. It is so much fun to celebrate festivals like this.”
Ayushman and Shadab are best pals in town. For them be it Eid or Diwali the point is to be together and have fun. They make sure to meet and visit each other’s house. “Shadab is my bestie. And for both of us festivals are the time of the year when both our families come together to celebrate the day together. I absolutely love the food his mom makes on Eid. The biryani is just so delicious, it is the best part of for me”, he says.
Sahil Ashar who invites his friends every year always makes sure to satiate their appetite. “My mom’s recipes are something none of my friends can resist. I have a large group of friends who are fond of non-vegetarian dishes and sewain. After we celebrate and my place and are done eating, we go around the city shopping and visiting places.”
Lucknow’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb is all about people from different faiths coming together in the spirit of humanity, celebrating diversity and rich heritage of tolerance be it the lipsmacking cuisine, the delightful music and dance forms or the language.