Fruit sale soars on Ramzan eve

PATNA: The city Muslims have started preparations for Ramzan, considered the holiest month as Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad during this month. Those who keep roza (observe fast) during this month abstain from food, drink and other worldly pleasures. The month-long fasting starts from dawn and ends after sunset.
Maulana Anisur Rahman Quasmi, general secretary, Imarat-e-Shariah (Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha), said that fasting helps a person attain spiritual power which keeps him away from wrong deeds."While fasting, it is to be kept in mind that we don't hurt anyone physically or verbally, or get involved in any wrong activity. We should also have control on our tongue. Merely fasting and then hurting others is of no use," he said.
"Fast during Ramzan is obligatory for Muslims, but there are certain conditions when people can abstain from it, for example pregnant and lactating women, travellers or those who are ill. Actually, it is a spiritual training and people become God fearing and God loving, which helps them transform into a good human being. While fasting people experience hunger and thirst and develop sympathy for those who go through such situation," said Aslam Jawedan, general secretary, Urdu Council Hind.
Heavy rush of shoppers can be seen in Sabzibagh locality, where small stalls have come up on the road offering varieties of dates, sewai, lachcha, sheermal, bakarkhani and other eatables.
Mohammad Haider, who has been selling dates for past seven years, said, "I have around 10 types of dates ranging from Rs 80 per kg to Rs 440 per kg. Expensive dates are imported from Middle-East and come in various packings. I do good business during Ramzan because people buy dates to break their fast, as was done by Prophet Mohammad."
When it comes to sewai and lachcha, there are numerous varieties. "I sell both 'kachha' sewai and 'bhuna' sewai, which again come in different varieties. The most famous is Banarasi sewai," said Mukhtar Ahmad, whose family has been in this business for last 90 years. "We sell sewai and lachcha throughout the year, but during ramzan, we call workers from Uttar Pradesh. Dalda lachcha is available in the market at Rs 80 per kg, refine lachcha ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 160 per kg and for the lachcha made in ghee, buyers have to pay Rs 320 per kg.
Huge crowd is also seen at bakeries selling sheermal and bakarkhani. Mohammad Ruzail, manager at Haji Bakery, said, "We have Shahi special bakarkhani, which comes at Rs 120 per piece. It is stuffed with dry fruits. We also have sheermal ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 35 per piece."