Aradhana Pandey, TwoCircles.net
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Hamid will not go to the Eidgah this year. He will not buy a tong for his grandmother, nor will he stop at the toy shop. His pocket does not hold any paisas or annas, but instead, he carries a heavy realization — of inflation, unemployment and the helplessness of the weaver community.
Instead of celebrating Eid with new clothes, Hamid will observe the worries etched on his father’s forehead, notice his mother’s empty grain bin and watch neighbourhood children without new clothes for Eid.
In Varanasi, many children like Hamid are deprived of Eid shopping this year, as their parents have decided to forgo new clothes in favor of helping those in need.
The same streets, the same shops, the same lights, but everything feels dimmer this time. The usual hustle is missing. At Noorul Haq Ansari’s shop, there used to be no space to place sesame seeds during the final week of Ramadan. This year, however, his tired eyes wait for customers who never arrive.
For weaver Jamal Ahmed, this is not just a recession; it is the decline of his entire profession. “We cannot even buy new clothes for our children. We fasted in Ramadan and prayed, but there is no joy this Eid. Last year, things were subdued, but this year, it is even worse. Customers complain about high prices and do not return,” he said.
The once-bustling weaver markets in Varanasi now lie deserted. “Earnings from Ramadan would normally suffice for the entire Eid preparation, but this year, even daily expenses are hard to manage,” said Sagir Ansari from Lohata.
The handwoven clothes that once were valued now struggle against the flood of cheap machine-made alternatives. “The number of workers in handwoven textiles has halved, as many have moved to other jobs,” said Mustaq Ahmed.
New meaning for Eid’s joy
However, this is not only a story of despair. This time, the weaver community has chosen to forego new clothes for themselves and help those in need instead.
“My son asked for new clothes, and I explained to him the true meaning of Eid. He understood, even though he cried,” said Saif Umar Mahto, his concern evident but his voice steady.
Shaheedun Nisa and Abdul Quddus from Dhannipur (Lohata) shared similar feelings. “If God has brought us to this world, He will show us the right way to celebrate festivals. Many in our community are contributing to zakat so we can help those in need,” they said.
Ramadan is not only about fasting and worship but also about charity and responsibility. It teaches the Muslim community to empathise with others’ struggles while fulfilling their own needs. Many families this year will sacrifice traditional joys, such as new clothes and sweets, for a deeper sense of duty.
Eid, once marked by excitement in the weaver community, feels quiet this year. Saddam Ansari, who used to eagerly prepare for Eid with his family, said, “Last year, Ramadan was hard, but this year, it is worse. Eid no longer feels like a celebration. Our children ask for new clothes, but we have to explain that this time is different.”
Silence in the markets
Areas like Bajardiha, Lallapura, Madanpur, Nai Sadak, Dalmandi and Peelikothi, which once glittered with lights before Eid, are now quiet. Shops stand empty, and the once-bustling streets lack the usual crowds.
Sana Afreen from Bajardiha, who used to enjoy shopping every Ramadan, said, “The markets were once so crowded it was hard to walk. But now, shopkeepers are waiting for customers. Inflation has forced many to limit their spending. In our neighborhood, many Hindu families send us sweets for Diwali, and we return the gesture by sending sewai during Eid. We celebrate together during weddings and festivals.”
From the start of Ramadan, discussions on social media began circulating about limiting Eid shopping and redirecting funds to help others. Some chose to pay for a student’s fees, others pledged to provide rent or rations for the needy.
Mohammad Obaid, a weaver from Bajardiha, explained, “In past Ramadans, earnings from this time could comfortably cover the cost of Eid preparations. But this year, our sarees are not selling, and the joy of Eid has faded.”
Broken promises for weavers
Government schemes for weavers look good on paper but allegedly have little effect in practice. Promises to protect the handloom industry have reportedly failed to alleviate the situation for Varanasi’s weavers.
“Taking out loans from the bank is not easy. Those without the right documents to access government schemes face even bigger problems. Electricity bills have soared, and raw material costs have doubled. The weavers who once made clothes for others are themselves unable to buy new clothes this year,” said Idrees Ansari, president of the Handloom Workers’ Rights Forum.
Shariq Jamal, who runs a Banarasi saree factory in Bajardiha, said business is especially slow. “Orders have dropped, and the sarees we made are not fetching good prices. Customers leave without buying anything because of high prices.”
Darkness behind Eid’s glare
This year’s Eid preparations are modest for weavers. Many homes will not be able to make lavish sewai or spread the usual festive cheer. “In the past, guests would visit, and we would prepare a feast. But this year, many homes will celebrate with just dal-roti,” said Uvais, a weaver from Lallapura.
The rising cost of electricity has also made running power looms more expensive.
“We used to pay Rs 75 per loom for electricity, but now it is Rs 430 now. The government has imposed GST on thread, zari and machine parts that have burdened us. Many weavers have migrated to cities like Ahmedabad or Surat or have left weaving altogether to work as rickshaw pullers or labourers,” he said.
Despite the hardships, many weavers feel the government should provide more support during these tough times. They believe the schemes meant to help them remain theoretical, with little practical impact.
Hope amid crises
Even though inflation has made this year’s Eid harder, there remains hope. Mohammad Yaseen, joint secretary of the Anjuman Intizamia Masajid that manages Gyanvapi Mosque, said, “Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fulfill their duties, and Eid is a celebration of that. Wearing new clothes and eating sewai are not mandatory, but this Ramadan, there is a focus on helping others and understanding the true meaning of the month.”
A new consciousness emerges
Activist Abid Sheikh views the decision to focus on charity during Eid as a sign of emerging consciousness in the Muslim community. He believes the younger generation, particularly those active on social media, is reshaping traditions, emphasising community welfare over individual celebrations.
“The desire to help others has always been part of Islam,” said Obaid, a journalist from Varanasi. “Perhaps social media has simply made these acts more visible.”
Even as Varanasi’s weavers face a challenging Eid, their sense of unity and hope persists. Through acts of charity and solidarity, they maintain a belief that the next Eid will bring joy once again, with looms running, markets bustling and celebrations returning to their former splendor.
This year, although the Eid festivities are quieter, the message is deeper and more meaningful. The celebration has transformed into a symbol of new thinking, new responsibilities and a renewed sense of community.
Like Prem Chand’s Hamid, perhaps this Eid, many will dream not just of buying a tong for their grandmother, but of being part of a larger light — one that shines on those less fortunate and that holds hope for a better future.
(Aradhana Pandey is an independent journalist)