Banarasi Eid

 In being a member of a training institution, it is an obligation to have a military bearing and dress smartly at all times. A part of it is also having a proper haircut. Going to a barber every fortnight becomes almost a duty except for those blessed with low or no growth of hair.

To accomplish the task, I used to visit a barber shop located at Naria Tiraha, which was less than 100 m from my house. The proprietor, Salman was an enthusiastic and energetic character, who loved to talk. Standard feature to qualify as a barber I think.

Right next to it was a small Shiv temple, one of the millions here in this land of Bhole Baba. The pujari as usual was an old but not a frail man in this case.

“Jai bholenath Panjitji” greeting from Salman, startled me a bit. The reply of the priest was simple. He called out, “ Bhole baba ki jai miyan, EiD kaise rahi.”

It was as if Salman was issued a licence to speak continuously for next half an hour. He of course took a break after every few minutes just to make sure that all around were paying proper attention to the trivia and acknowledging with similar enthusiasm. 

Here goes the story.

As we all know it is customary to sacrifice a goat on Bakra-e-id, and goat is rather expensive, especially during this time. Salman had promised his wife that he will get the best goat in the village for the same. Having saved money for last few months and cutting on some routine expenditure,  he was able to save just enough money to fulfill his promise. A day before Eid he bought a requisite goat for a princely sum of Rs 16000. It was a large amount and he was very proud of showing his possession to everyone in the village. 

The word spread fast.  It was as if entire village had poured in to have a look. Salman's family was thrilled at the adulation which they were getting. Feeling satisfied about the preparations for next day, he retired in to his room.

He woke up in the morning bcoz of the commotion outside. He rushed out to find the goat was missing. Thus started the frantic search. From immediate neighbourhood to the fields. But it was to no avail. One of the villager who was coming from the highway side, said he had seen Rehman of adjacent village on a bike with a huge goat tied behind, about an hour back. Salman immediately took out his motorcycle and sped off towards the highway.  From there he turned towards Rehman's village and barged straight into his house. There he saw his goat tied to the stump and started making a scene forgetting he was not in his own village. As expected he was thrashed by Rehman and his family and thrown out. Dejected, he went to the police station. Luckily, constable on duty was an acquaintance. Salman narrated his side of story and pleaded for help.  The policeman rode pillion on Salman’s bike and reached Rehman's house. Similar to previous day, though this time there was a stream of visitors at Rehman’s home. Sensing the sensitivity, constable requested everyone to please go to their homes. When only two belligerent were left, he asked Rehman his side of story. Rehman narrated that last year Salman had taken loan of Rs 5000 from him for celebrating Eid but has failed to repay till date. So to teach him, he has brought this goat here. Now constable turned towards Salman and gestured in an enquiring manner. Salman agreed that he had not replayed but taking away his prized goat was not correct. Rehman went further, “He wants to be hero on my money. Tell him to return my money and take the goat. Or else I will sacrifice this goat.” Salman was in tears now. He had spent all his savings in the goat and wasn’t left with anything. Constable, although wanting to help Salman, was not ready to take sides since these matters could soon get out of control. He took out Rs 500 from his pocket and gave it to Salman, stating that he starts collecting from wherever he can and hand over the money to Rehman. Instinctively, Salman touched Constables’ feet and rushed away. He was on a mission to get Rs 4500 more within next 2 hrs. Managing the sum at this time was not going to be easy. All his relatives would be hard pressed after having spent for Eid. He couldn’t stabilise his thoughts as he reached home. His wife was enraged, but still composed as compared to him. She suggested he approached the Thakur for the help. Although a bit reluctant, realising that there was hardly any other way, he decided to give it a try. Life would be simpler, had the things in our thought turned out in actual life too. Thakur had gone to the city, that morning itself, for some work. Hearing this Salman almost collapsed.  Meanwhile Thakuraein who was listening to Salman’s plea called up her husband and explained to him the situation. Thakur was somehow in a good mood and asked her to help out Salman but take a guarantee from him about returning the money within two months or he will take his motorcycle. Thakuraein handed over the money to Salman and added another condition that he will have to share a little of the dish with them. 

It was the best Eid of Salman’s life. He and his full family were so relieved to have been able to celebrate Eid after so much of trouble. They also promised themselves, not to go overboard with expenditure just to show off. 

The real meaning of Eid is about sacrifice of something which one loves so as to keep one humble and devoted to God. Also, having good relationships with your neighbourhood is beneficial in difficult times. And most importantly, religious festivals can be a uniting force if we respect others.