Eid

Eid is celebrated by communities around the world and with special fervour in India that has large Muslim populace and where secularism takes a precedence over religionism of any kind. With social media now the order of the day, I haven’t seen so much messaging on FB, WhatsApp, Twitter across social, office and other groups! As I observed earlier in one of my blogs, Social Media, if put to good use is not all evil.

I am a self taught connoisseur of beautiful language called Urdu and look for materials of interest published in the language around the world. Search once took me to the website of popular Pakistan Urdu daily “Jang”. The paper and the media group is known in India for having started “Aman Ki Asha” initiative with “Times of India” Group, a commendable effort to bring the two nations at loggerheads together, but it became a victim of border tensions. Though the news in the paper are full of jingoism as regards India and Kashmir are concerned, painting our great nation as an evil in perpetuity, there are a couple of daily writings that touch the chords of humanity through sheer sincerity by commenting on the day to day affairs we grapple with. One is a daily couplet by Anwar Shaoor that sometimes become a full verse on the special occasions like Eid. The other is a short story in 100 words by Mabshar Ali Zaidi that weaves magic of deep messaging in few words.

I thought let me wish my friends a Happy Eid through this special blog, where I make a sincere attempt to translate the above two posts appearing in the yesterday’s newspaper. The poem first that reads

How can anyone celebrate Eid,

When there’s despair all around, hardly any good deed!

Supplies are bloody so expensive,

And requirements have become a luxury;

Household are struggling for daily needs,

The common man is in a quandary!

Discordant notes can be heard from shops, factories and Offices,

And people don’t know where to proceed;

Every moment is mired in uncertainty,

How can anyone celebrate Eid!

If dark clouds continue to hover overhead,

And Humanity does not succeed;

Moon will be sighted year after year,

But people will say Whose Eid? Which Eid? Why Eid?

Though translation can never capture the essence of original language, doesn’t the poem say it all and doesn’t it apply equally to Diwali, Christmas and Gurupurab?

Now the 100 words story:

Modern technology has brought the world closer by reducing distances, said my son enthusiastically. He was making a video call from US, where he’s employed. This year also, he’s not visiting Pakistan for Eid and therefore, he is calling on the moon night. “Papa, distances are shrinking. We speak to each other 4 times in a day. We can hear each other’s voice on real time basis and can also see each other live!” I replied, “That’s fine sonny, I can see you, hear you, talk to you, but I can’t hug you to wish Eid Mubarak.”

I wish Eid Mubarak to all of you whose support to my blog has made me share more and more with all of you.