Photo: Malay KumarShishir Kumar
Ranchi
Remember, Hamid a young boy of Premchand’s story ‘Eidgah’. This lead character, who had not even entered the double digits of his age, dispersed the true spirit of Eid among millions of the readers.
Eid-ul-fitr was celebrated with great enthusiasm this year. Ranchi that stands as the capital of the newly formed Jharkhand witnessed an exuberant celebration this year. The roads were decorated with colourful lights, people elegantly dressed could be sited on the roads and loudspeakers with loud music gave the feel of a festival. However, the missing was the spirit – feels the elder generations.
The festival, a gift to those who fast during the whole month of Ramjan, witnessed a great cultural changes this Eid-ul-fitr – be it for the younger or the older generation, the political sphere, for educationist or the commoners.
“People in the cities take Eid just as an occasion. It is not that the spirit of Eid is all over. If we still go to the rural areas we can find the cultural form of Eid. The urban population is so much into politics and means that their celebration is also diluted,” AA Khan, VC, Ranchi University said.
Khan said that the youths are yet to understand the true meaning of Eid. “The newer generation feel that this festival is just for fun. For them a festival like Moharrum is also a time for fun. The need of the hour is this generation should atleast read the holy Quran for once and understand their faith and God,” he added.
Gulfam Mujibi, Vice-president, Jharkhand Congress said that besides the happiness of Eid the matter of happiness is that the festival of Eid passed of peacefully. “If we talk about the spirit of the festival then we should remember that every generation has its own definition to this topic,” he claimed. He said that the spirit has not died out but has definitely changed.
Meanwhile, Bulu Imam, eminent historian said that the loosing interest of the youths in the festival is an outcome of the Globalization. “This Eid I saw people who were moving around in old clothes. I met some youths who seemed reluctant in even hugging. These no doubt implies the loosing interest and decreasing spirit of the festival. This cultural change is not limited to this festival but is going to touch all spheres of life,” Imam added.
Imam said that the older generation are the one who leading the flag of culture now. The loud bollywood song and other celebrations done on western track are too among some of the reasons taking the festival of Eid out of the religion, Khan added.
Amidst of this debate the state remained fragranced with the perfume of Itr (non-alcholic perfumes) and varieties of sewai (vermicelli). Members of all-age group celebrated the Eid. Morning witnessed a hub of the celebrators gathering at the Idgahs of the state capitals. From here they moved to the burial ground to wish Eid to their ancestors. The day followed with celebrations and exchange of gifts.
“It is not that we do not understand the true spirit of this festival. However, we have to go with the moving world in which professionalism couples our personal life. It is not the same free society that it used to be decades back. Our generation tries to give our best complying with the current scenario,” claimed young Tabrez Khan, CEO of Dream Merchant Event Company.
With the debate still on the older generation seems searching for the young Hamid, who pays his Eidi (gift) earn for the happiness of his old grandmother, while, the younger generation try to fulfil it in their own novel form of the festive season of Eid.