Eid celebrated with fervour, under the shadow of the Covid-19 and lockdown across Dhanbad and Bokaro districts on Monday.
The usual fervour and celebrations were found missing this ‘Eid’ due to lockdown; maintaining physical distances Muslims offered prayers at their home, most of them greeted each other over mobile phones or without hugging and shaking hands.
Meanwhile, no untoward incidents were reported in the twin districts, the festivals celebrated in harmony amidst heightened vigil and security. Following the district administration appeal and lockdown guidelines, prayer gatherings, outdoor celebrations and other public events were curtailed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We will always keep remembered this ‘Eid’; fear of Coronavirus dampened the celebrations amidst lockdown,” said Sahid a resident of Makhdumpur at Bokaro.
“I cannot do anything this year, we usually go to our relative’s house for Eid, meet our friends, eat and get lots of gifts and money. But there are a lot of people who have not been able to go home this year due to pandemic,” he said.
“So I have decided to spread some Eid cheer by sharing our Biryani and Sheer Korma with them. So I along with my family members distributed food and some money among the needy in the periphery of our residence areas,” added Sahid.
Murshid Ahmad a businessman at City Centre Sector- 4 in Bokaro distributed ‘Sewai’ (vermicelli), sweets, bread and foodstuffs among the needy at Chas.
He said, with the spirit of thanksgiving and jubilation on the first day of the 10th month of the Muslim lunar calendar ‘Eid’ marks the completion of an act of duty and devotion which teaches the lesson that real happiness arises from performing one’s duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective.
We all family members offered prayers at home. Our religious leaders have already urged people not to violate lockdown rules and to contribute in the best possible way to fight this challenge, said Murshid.
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar urged people to stay at home, pray for a prosperous and healthy nation in this pious day of Ramadan, following all the health instructions to prevent the corona epidemic.
“We congratulate the Muslim fraternity for cooperating with the authorities by offering prayers at home during the holy month of Ramadan and supporting us to contain the Covid-19 spread,” said a district administrative official Bokaro.