A lacklustre Eid amid pandemic

JAIPUR: The pandemic seems to have mellowed the festive spirit of the people. The deserted lanes a day ahead of Eid-Ul-Adha in the Muslim-dominated areas suggest that Covid-19 has indeed dampened the Eid festivities this year.
This is the time of the year when low and middle-income level Muslim families go out for their year’s biggest shopping, but this year, they seem to have chosen to remain indoors due to the low purchasing power, than the fear of the pandemic.Also, the sales of goats have nosedived with only those with sound financial backgrounds purchasing them.
The usual rush in the Muslim stronghold areas with a sea of people doing last-minute shopping was missing and the areas wore a deserted look. The makeshift markets on either side of the Walled City roads have few shops but did not see many buyers.
“The families are not stepping out for shopping and those who do come, are spending very less making us difficult to even cover the daily rent of the makeshift shop,” said Abdul Karim, who sells Eid paraphernalia like a skull cap, perfume, prayer mat, dates and toys for kids. On a mere visit to the Muslim-dominated areas, one would miss the rush at the mosque, parading of goats decorated with balloons and frills.
Both Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha are those times of the year when every Muslim purchases at least readymade traditional suits and dress material. It is also the time when they prefer to replace their old furniture, paint their houses, buys automobiles, real estate along with the goats to sacrifice. From the market in Raja Park to Bapu Bazaar and high-end shopping stores on Tonk Road to Johari Bazaar for gold purchasing, it’s the second missed opportunity in two months.
“I had stocked dress material and readymade garments, eyeing first Eid in February, but the lockdown hit us so hard that we have not opened the stocks. I was very hopeful that unlock has been in place and we would be able to have good sales, but only managed less than 10% of shopping as compared to the previous Eid. Even Rakhi sales are yet to pick up. Now, all eyes are on Diwali,” said Devki Sharma, a store owner at Tonk Road.
Explaining the situation, Naim Rabbani, of Helping Hand Foundation said, “The situation is getting worst with each passing day. Almost 90% of the residents engaged in unskilled or semi-skilled work have not got their jobs or source of livelihood back. It’s a reminder that Covid-19 has eaten away the savings of most of the families and caused them an irreparable loss and it will take years to recover from the impact.”
While a section of Muslims has deliberately chosen to stay away from usual shopping this Eid, and have not purchased the animal to sacrifice and clothes, many are rather donating money to the poor and destitute. Nizam Hussain, a banker based in Adarsh Nagar says that the amount they spend on buying three goats has been kept for donation.
“I got this idea while listening to a cleric on TV. It took me a day to convince my family that this year’s Eid will be without sacrificing a goat. Now, I am thinking how to spend the money in rehabilitating some families who are in dire need,” said Hussain.