“Growing up, my idea of Ramzan always revolved around serving people and sharing happiness. To me, it was the month of giving back. I still have fond memories of playing in my grandmother’s house all day, and eagerly distributing food post dusk, at our dargah. We feed around 400 people throughout the day, during the holy month. Our staple mutton porridge wasn’t just limited to the Muslim clan. People across all faiths were welcomed and served with love. But today, it’s not the same without him!

I lost my father to cancer two years ago. Unlike most people, material achievements never got to his head. He was the most humble and selfless man I’d ever come across. He was my rock! Post his demise, I was in a very bad place in life. Mixed emotions, predominantly anger piled up within me, wherein I started questioning life and almost lost belief in my faith for a brief bit. But being the man of the house, I had to mature manifolds. And these two years really taught me a lot, especially in terms of being more independent and growing out of my cage.

And like they say, one just needs a little bit of faith and hope to sail in life. Even now, when the entire world is at a standstill, it’s the tinge of hope that makes people move forward. I feel, with this year specifically, there is a duality to the festival. On one side, I’m happy that I am spending it with my family, but on the other, my heart goes out to underprivileged people who are suffering. Despite our best intentions, we are limited in the ways we can help them. Nevertheless, I hope, the pandemic ceases soon, and I can go back to making people feel happy through our services. I’m pretty sure that that’s what my dad would have wanted too!”

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