Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100159710300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Id, Gandhi Jayanthi fall on the same day

Staff Reporter

People are worried that soaring prices of meat might climb further

Bangalore: In a unique convergence, Ramzan (Id-ul-Fitr) and Gandhi Jayanthi are being celebrated on the same day. On the face of it, the coming together of the two dates is merely a statistical possibility.

But this might upset some Id plans because slaughter of animals and sale of meat are banned on Gandhi Jayanthi whereas biryani and other meat dishes are an integral part of Ramzan celebrations, which marks the end of a month of fasting.

Though some people have the practice of buying meat a day ahead of the Id, some others believe in buying it fresh. “There is nothing like buying meat early in the morning and preparing the mutton delicacies for Id. People who have refrigerators can stock the day before. But what about those who cannot? They should cook for Id the previous night itself otherwise the meat will go stale,” said Zakira Bakshi, a resident of Kudremukh Colony in Koramangala.

Some are also worried that the soaring prices of meat might get further higher. “Mutton is nothing less than Rs. 220 a kg now. We hope it does not go up further because of the convergence of these two days,” Abdul Raqueeb, a resident of Nagawara, said.

Prayers and other rituals related to the festival will, however, remain unaffected. During the month of Ramzan, the ninth month according to Islamic lunar calendar, practising Muslims abstain from food, drink and cohabitation from dawn to dusk, a discipline practised to cleanse the soul. The month culminates with Id-ul-Fitr.

A very important aspect of Ramzan is charity, which all the Muslims are expected to extend to the needy either in cash or kind.

“We prepare for Ramzan all through the year because we believe that charity made in this month multiplies up to 70 times,” says Ishrat Banu Pasha.