Hyderabad never sleeps during Ramadan

Hyderabad, July 14: It is past midnight but the traffic is moving at snail's pace. Scores of people are in their cars, parked on both sides of the road and relishing the haleem, a Ramadan delicacy. Dozens of young waiters of Pista House and Shah Ghouse, the two popular haleem makers, are on their feet, vying with each other to serve customers on the busy Toli Chowki-Mehdipatnam stretch. Shoppers, the faithful returning from mosques, techies heading home from IT hubs, and families throng the dozens of food joints serving piping hot haleem. Heavy traffic, illuminated shops, and crowded hotels and eateries give one a feeling that it is day time. And this is not the old city. So, the situation in the famous markets around the historic Charminar can well be imagined. With only days to go for Eid-ul-Fitr, Ramadan shopping in this historic city with a rich Islamic heritage has reached a feverish pitch. While the city witnesses unprecedented commercial activity during the entire holy month, it hardly sleeps in the last 10 days. Hyderabad is the hot favourite among Eid shoppers, including many who come from other parts of Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. With Muslims accounting for about 30 percent of the city's estimated nine million population, every commodity associated with the festivities opens up huge business opportunities during the month. The volume of business, which is mostly in the unorganised sector, is beyond anybody's guess. According to some estimates, the business covering eatables, garments and footwear alone exceeds Rs.2,000 crore. The city has no parallels in India when it comes to Ramadan. It's no wonder that many Hyderabadis who live abroad make it a point to visit home on Eid.