At Work on Eid Day

Eid-ul-Fitr is the most popular festival celebrated around the country. We all dress up in our fanciest attires and after special prayers, spend the day with relatives and friends. We all enjoy the delicious meals and desserts prepared at home, while youngsters get their fill of gift money from their elders. We give freely to those in need, and often exchange gifts with our near and dear ones. Many take advantage of the long break to visit their ancestral homes, or go away on vacation. It is an enjoyable time for everyone and the best part, quality time with family. Yet, there are those among us whose jobs do not allow such luxuries. They are the hospital staff, traffic police, transport workers, emergency service providers, security guards, grocers, household helps, customer care personnel, journalists, air crews, and many others who have to work on Eid day, as the rest of us enjoy the festivities. The Weekend Independent talked to some people who will be working on Eid day in the capital to learn about their plans.

Moklesur Rahman, 58, auto-rickshaw driver, from Bheramara, Kushtia

I live in Badda with my eldest son Rakib, who works in a metal workshop. I am working extra shifts so that I can buy new dresses and other necessities for my family members, including toys for my younger children. My son is working equally hard because this year, we would like to go home. Last year, we stayed back so that I could work on Eid day. It was OK, but we were both terribly homesick, especially my son. He missed his mother and siblings very much and I missed my own mother. Also, we cooked whatever we could, since most restaurants where we can afford to eat were closed. This year, I really would like to go home, or I won’t be able to face my mother _ she is a fierce old lady and we all do as she asks us!

Mosharouf Hossain Talukder, 47, shopkeeper, from Bagerhat, Khulna
My family lives with me and I own this convenience store. I also provide mobile recharge service and mobile banking services. I always try to keep my shop open on Eid day because people may need some important things. Most small businesses like mine close for the holidays, and it becomes a problem if the holiday stretches for more than three days. I will go for Eid prayers and after that, I will open my shop as usual and keep my regular hours. For me, celebrating Eid is providing support to my regular customers with their groceries and other necessities. I enjoy what I do.

Hedayet Ullah, 45, rickshaw-puller, from Comilla
I have been doing this for the last 10 years and I do not remember the last time I went to my hometown for Eid. This is a great time to earn all the extra cash you need as people pay more money than usual and even if you ask for more, no one will deny you or complain. If I were home, my mother would be there to pamper me, give me good food and I would have the opportunity to spend time with my children. But since I am working, I would be able to send them some extra money so they can buy new clothes for themselves and enjoy their time. I would probably eat with my neighbours, I live in Kamalapur and often during special occasions, we all pitch in and cook special meals. I enjoy Eid in Dhaka, it is not so bad. Maybe, I will go home next year and spend time with my family.

Shawon Hasnat, 36, senior broadcast journalist, from Dhaka
If you are new to this profession, you might find it upsetting to be working on Eid day, but as time goes by, you get used to it and often look forward to spending Eid with your co-workers. I will enjoy working on Eid day as I take pleasure in doing what I do. The office will be making arrangements for special meals for all of us and many of our colleagues, who will be present that day as well, might bring some homemade food for us. My friends and family might get a bit upset about me working on this special occasion, but they will get over it. I am looking forward to spending a fun-filled working Eid day with my colleagues.

Fazlul Haque, 37, security guard, from West Durgapur, Naogaon
It is part of my job. Many of my co-workers will go to their hometowns, but this year, it is my turn to work on Eid day. Of course, there are perks of being on duty on Eid day. Employers feel more generous than usual and you get good tips. Like everyone else, it would have been great if I could have gone home to spend the day with my family, but I will get my chance after everyone else is back from their holiday. I have plans with my colleagues who will be at work, too. We will all have a good meal together, and the residents of this building are very kind and they send all sorts of treats for us. This is life. When I was young, I had a lot of fun on Eid day. But it is different now, but still, I have no regrets.
Ta-Seen Anannya, 29,  online newsroom editor, from Netrokona

Most online news portals, and also TV channels, will have reporters, editors and others on duty even on Eid day. This is a competitive industry and in order to stay ahead in the game, we all need to work hard and work as a team. I will be working this Eid because I am dedicated to my profession. I might take some desserts for my colleagues at work, so that we can celebrate Eid in our way. After my shift, I will be visiting friends and family with my children. Eid is special to me like everyone else, but I think it is alright even if I have to work that day. My mother did complain a little, saying women nowadays have become very ambitious! But I explained to her that maybe next Eid, I will stay home with them.

Parul Begum, 28, housemaid, from Jamalpur

My husband is a rickshaw driver and I work part-time in four different houses. For the last few years, we have decided to spend Eid in Dhaka. The reason behind our decision is simple. We need extra cash and festivals such as Eid is a great time to earn that. My employers are all very generous and I appreciate their gifts and extra tips. They gave my entire family clothes, and also full bonus. I will put on the new clothes and take my daughter to my workplace on Eid day. I will have to do my regular chores, but usually everyone tends to be lenient and allocate less work, and sometimes I just enjoy a good meal and get to go home early. If I were in my hometown, I probably would be working, preparing food for all the guests and so on. That would have been great, too, as I enjoy meeting and greeting old friends during special occasions. I work seven-days a week, sometimes, I wish I could take a long break.

At Work on Eid Day

Eid-ul-Fitr is the most popular festival celebrated around the country. We all dress up in our fanciest attires and after special prayers, spend the day with relatives and friends. We all enjoy the delicious meals and desserts prepared at home, while youngsters get their fill of gift money from their elders. We give freely to those in need, and often exchange gifts with our near and dear ones. Many take advantage of the long break to visit their ancestral homes, or go away on vacation. It is an enjoyable time for everyone and the best part, quality time with family. Yet, there are those among us whose jobs do not allow such luxuries. They are the hospital staff, traffic police, transport workers, emergency service providers, security guards, grocers, household helps, customer care personnel, journalists, air crews, and many others who have to work on Eid day, as the rest of us enjoy the festivities. The Weekend Independent talked to some people who will be working on Eid day in the capital to learn about their plans. Moklesur Rahman, 58, auto-rickshaw driver, from Bheramara, Kushtia I live in Badda with my eldest son Rakib, who works in a metal workshop. I am working extra shifts so that I can buy new dresses and other necessities for my family members, including toys for my younger children. My son is working equally hard because this year, we would like to go home. Last year, we stayed back so that I could work on Eid day. It was OK, but we were both terribly homesick, especially my son. He missed his mother and siblings very much and I missed my own mother. Also, we cooked whatever we could, since most restaurants where we can afford to eat were closed. This year, I really would like to go home, or I wont be able to face my mother _ she is a fierce old lady and we all do as she asks us! Mosharouf Hossain Talukder, 47, shopkeeper, from Bagerhat, Khulna My family lives with me and I own this convenience store. I also provide mobile recharge service and mobile banking services. I always try to keep my shop open on Eid day because people may need some important things. Most small businesses like mine close for the holidays, and it becomes a problem if the holiday stretches for more than three days. I will go for Eid prayers and after that, I will open my shop as usual and keep my regular hours. For me, celebrating Eid is providing support to my regular customers with their groceries and other necessities. I enjoy what I do. Hedayet Ullah, 45, rickshaw-puller, from Comilla I have been doing this for the last 10 years and I do not remember the last time I went to my hometown for Eid. This is a great time to earn all the extra cash you need as people pay more money than usual and even if you ask for more, no one will deny you or complain. If I were home, my mother would be there to pamper me, give me good food and I would have the opportunity to spend time with my children. But since I am working, I would be able to send them some extra money so they can buy new clothes for themselves and enjoy their time. I would probably eat with my neighbours, I live in Kamalapur and often during special occasions, we all pitch in and cook special meals. I enjoy Eid in Dhaka, it is not so bad. Maybe, I will go home next year and spend time with my family. Shawon Hasnat, 36, senior broadcast journalist, from Dhaka If you are new to this profession, you might find it upsetting to be working on Eid day, but as time goes by, you get used to it and often look forward to spending Eid with your co-workers. I will enjoy working on Eid day as I take pleasure in doing what I do. The office will be making arrangements for special meals for all of us and many of our colleagues, who will be present that day as well, might bring some homemade food for us. My friends and family might get a bit upset about me working on this special occasion, but they will get over it. I am looking forward to spending a fun-filled working Eid day with my colleagues. Fazlul Haque, 37, security guard, from West Durgapur, Naogaon It is part of my job. Many of my co-workers will go to their hometowns, but this year, it is my turn to work on Eid day. Of course, there are perks of being on duty on Eid day. Employers feel more generous than usual and you get good tips. Like everyone else, it would have been great if I could have gone home to spend the day with my family, but I will get my chance after everyone else is back from their holiday. I have plans with my colleagues who will be at work, too. We will all have a good meal together, and the residents of this building are very kind and they send all sorts of treats for us. This is life. When I was young, I had a lot of fun on Eid day. But it is different now, but still, I have no regrets. Ta-Seen Anannya, 29, online newsroom editor, from Netrokona Most online news portals, and also TV channels, will have reporters, editors and others on duty even on Eid day. This is a competitive industry and in order to stay ahead in the game, we all need to work hard and work as a team. I will be working this Eid because I am dedicated to my profession. I might take some desserts for my colleagues at work, so that we can celebrate Eid in our way. After my shift, I will be visiting friends and family with my children. Eid is special to me like everyone else, but I think it is alright even if I have to work that day. My mother did complain a little, saying women nowadays have become very ambitious! But I explained to her that maybe next Eid, I will stay home with them. Parul Begum, 28, housemaid, from Jamalpur My husband is a rickshaw driver and I work part-time in four different houses. For the last few years, we have decided to spend Eid in Dhaka. The reason behind our decision is simple. We need extra cash and festivals such as Eid is a great time to earn that. My employers are all very generous and I appreciate their gifts and extra tips. They gave my entire family clothes, and also full bonus. I will put on the new clothes and take my daughter to my workplace on Eid day. I will have to do my regular chores, but usually everyone tends to be lenient and allocate less work, and sometimes I just enjoy a good meal and get to go home early. If I were in my hometown, I probably would be working, preparing food for all the guests and so on. That would have been great, too, as I enjoy meeting and greeting old friends during special occasions. I work seven-days a week, sometimes, I wish I could take a long break.