CORONA KE DAR SE LOGON NE GHAR KO MASJID BANAAYA

As I write this piece, I can see a Masjid outside my window deserted. There are no people to offer namaaz, there is no one with colourful clothes, there is no one to wish each other Eid Mubarak, there are no shops selling sweets buying maal pua, sheer khorma and other delicacies outside the Masjid - ALI PETER JOHN

In place of where hundreds of people gathered to prey and celebrate Eid, there are paramilitary forces and policemen walking around with the most dangerous kind of guns. Which world are these living in?

Only till two years ago, the scene was so full of devout muslims and people of other communists coming together to spread peace and happiness among all people. And no where was Eid celebrated the way it was in the film industry in mumbai.

The celebrations used to start first thing in the morning with men and children getting dressed in their best clothes and among thd leading stars who were seen as celebrating the festival with all the fervor and zest were Dilip kumar , Johnny Walker, K. Asif , Mehmood and they were joined by their hindu friends like Raj kapoor and Devanand and many others.

The film industry showed how we all belonged to one country, India without any ill feelings towards anyone .

It was a National festival which was eagerly looked forward to. The chaand was waited for by people of all religions and when it was seen , the joy was unanimous.

Aur abhi dekho, Eid ka maahaul kitna badal gaya hai. Dar ke maare log Majid toh kya kahin bhi jaane ke liye bahar nahi nikal rahe aur log Eid mubarak ki shubhkaamnaayein ek doosre ko mobiles pe bhej rahe hain.

Among those who wished people in general a happu Eid were Amitabh Bachan and his son Abishek , Shahid kapoor and his wife Mira , Sushmita Sen , Bhumi padnekar, Isha Koppikar, Emran hashmi, Susanne khan and from among the older generation only Saira Bano who in a message said, "We are living through very dangerous times, but allah will see us through and we will all celebrate Eid like it should be celebrated again".

Saira found the time to send his emotional message even though she is facing a very tough time herself looking after her sahab the 99 year old legend Dilip kumar who had one time used to be the highlight of Eid or any other festival.

JAANE KAHAAN GAYE WOH DIN! AAJ KAL TOH DIN AUR RAAT MEIN FARK MEHSOOS NAHI HOTA, DIN BHI ANDHERE MEIN BADAL GAYE HAIN AUR ITNA SAARA DAR HAI DILON MEIN BHI AUR SAARE JAHAAN MEIN BHI. KAB UTREGA YEH DAR KA MASK AUR YEH ANDHERA JISSE SEHNE KI HUM SABKO AADAT SI HO GAYI HAI.