Eid in Indian Way

Eid

As a child, I used to get excited to wear new clothes on Eid, eat sweets particularly 'sekerpare' a Turkish delicacy and of course collect monitory gifts from the elders. However, I had to visit so many relatives which I really did not like. On the first day we had always visited the elders in the family followed by visiting other relatives in the next 2 following days. For me celebration came only when there would be a kid in the house we visited. With time as I grew old I started to lose interest in Eid. Eid meant forceful visits and forceful eating. Every house that you visit you are offered their sweets and you know where it all gets to sometimes. What I had hated most during these visits was the deterrent topic, What..? My studies. May be if I was a good student I would not mind them asking it. :)
Jokes apart, with time Eid has come on to my priority list. Cannot quite figure out the reason for it. Is it because I got mature or because I am far away from my relatives? I now miss the days we had gone visiting relatives in Istanbul. Now my husband and I are visiting our relatives and friends here in Dubai. I enjoy every moment of it.

Eid in Indian Way

Eid celebrations are more or less the same globally. Visiting the elders in the family marks the celebration all over. All siblings get together with their cousins in one place, greet each other, have a fun filled time through the day followed by dinner.

I am married to an Indian and living in Dubai. Last Eid, we were invited by one of a relative from my in-laws side. This was my first ever Eid, the Indian way. On entering their house I saw men and women sitting separately in different rooms. I was directed to the room where ladies were gathered and we started chatting. It was a very warm gathering of just relatives. It was only after a while that everybody (men and women) got together in the living area and this time we got a chance to meet and greet men too in the family. The kids entered the living area and asked us to participate in their show and demanded an entry fees.. I didn't understand what they meant by 'show' initially. They had insisted we buy their tickets otherwise we cannot watch their 'show'. They had prepared hand written entry tickets and the cost for their show was AED 3.

A girl among them started talking as if she was on a stage giving some announcement. Their show was interesting and brings me a smile even today when I think of it. They said that they have prepared some games, poems, funny quotes etc. At the end of their show, they got into queue and started chuckling around, shouting 'Eidi' 'Eidi'. If someone resisted them, they insisted even more and raised their voice further. What echoed was "Eiiidiii! We want Eiidii!" Apparently they were asking for money from their elders. Actually 'Eidi' literally means 'gift' but for kids it means money! You cannot skip them with a small candy! Kid is a kid everywhere whether in Turkey or India, the expectations are the same. Eid and Eidi too are the same all over. Once the lovely show got over, we had lavish spread of food with special dishes for celebrating Eid. Then we had our Indian tea along with some special sweets and the day got over with this.
After watching this small but sweetest show, I really appreciated both the parents and the kids. The way the parents encourage their kids to have entertaining moments actually motivates and improves the kids creativity and self confidence. You should have seen how confidently they were talking in front of a really crowded family. If it was me I would just shy away thinking that those aunties and uncles might laugh at me.
This Eid, my parents-in-law surprised me with gifts. I don't know if my soul is still a child, I am so excited. They sent me this lovely green dress and matching earrings with it. This is the dress I will be wearing for this Eid.
Wish you a very happy Eid!