Lucknow: Living up to its famed Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, several Muslim residents also organised bhandaras across the city on the first Bada Mangal on Tuesday.Among those serving food, water and refreshments to people in the summer heat was Harman Iftekhar of Phoolbagh, who has been hosting bhandaras for the past two years. This year, he set up a stall at Nazarbagh, focusing especially on rickshaw pullers and passers-by by offering chilled water. He was also seen collecting litter around the site to keep the area clean.“I don’t see this as charity. If someone visits our stall and leaves with a smile, that’s my real reward,” Harman said.In Mahanagar, Sabiha Ahmad and her friend Poonam Singh organised a bhandara together, describing the effort as an expression of friendship and shared social responsibility rather than ritual alone. “We may come from different backgrounds, but here we only see people who need food and care,” said Sabiha.She added that she later distributed snacks among underprivileged children and considers the work ‘sawab’ (spiritual reward earned through good deeds).Farhan Ahmed, a doctor at Rewanta Hospital, also took part by serving puri-sabzi and sherbet. “As a doctor, my duty is to save lives in the hospital, but here I feel I am also healing hunger and thirst in this intense summer,” he said.He was joined by his friend Mohammad Jafar Raza, who brought homemade gujiyas prepared by his wife, Shaheen.Syed Mohd Asad, a third-generation member of the lineage of Ali Shah Badshah, said continuing the practice was his way of preserving empathy and supporting those in need.Atif Hanif said such efforts reflect ‘sakhawat’ or the spirit of generosity and sharing.Syed Mohd Asad, a third-generation member of the lineage of Ali Shah Badshah, said continuing the practice was his way of preserving empathy and supporting those in need.
