Pune: The streets are decorated and masjids are lit up. Families from the Muslim community throng stores and stalls in large numbers for last-minute shopping of clothes and jewellery as Eid-ul-Fitr nears. Neighbourhoods famous for the delicious food they serve, especially for iftar, are seeing long queues — with people waiting for a bite of their favourite dish.Aleena Basigarage of Undri said Eid is special as she gets to buy all the outfits that she has been wishing for the year round. She said, “I wanted a yellow lehengafor the last three months and waited to buy the ensemble. I have the perfect jewellery to go with it. All I need now are silver sequined shoes. I am very excited.”Women at Kausarbaugin Kondhwa listed the items in demand like embroidered kurtis, diamond studded bangles, colourful jewellery, dry fruits, henna, fragrant attar and embellished footwear .Mariya Shaikh of Kondhwa was rushing around to buy ingredients for Sheer Khurmaon Wednesday evening. She said, “I love the entire month of Ramzan. I get to eat so many delicacies and my favourite biryani, even though we spend the day fasting. I love mutton biryani and rogan josh. I go to my grandmother’s house to eat. All the cousins gather for iftar and we enjoy ourselves. I am excited for the Eidi that I will get from all my relatives. I have bought a new purse to keep the money I get!”Abdul Mulani of Camp was looking around for a skullcap to match his kurta at Fashion Street in Pulgate. He said, “I havealready bought everything I need — including the sandals and the attar. All that is left is a cap and my entire Eid look will be complete. My favourite part about the festivities is my mother’s slow-cooked mutton biryani. It is the best. All my friends come to my house to eat the halwa she makes. We also give zakat to people sitting outside the Azma Campus masjid. Every year, we distribute clothes, food and money to the needy. Their happiness completes my celebrations. It is the spirit of Eid to share what we have with those who don’t.”
