For many Bangladeshis this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr, which comes at the end of Ramadan, will be like no other as they see a further spike in Covid-19 cases and have their livelihoods already destroyed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Eid, which is just around the corner, will be celebrated in the usual way. There is no festivity among a large section of people, ranging from the poor to lower to lower-middle class, as putting food on the table has become a challenge for them in the face of pandemic, let alone Eid celebrations.
Naseem Ahmad works at a software company based in Dhaka. He had been living a modest life with wife and two children until the coronavirus struck. With two months’ salary withheld by his employer citing losses in business, Naseem is now struggling to survive with his family.
“I feel bad when I see the affluent people are buying their children new dresses ahead of Eid while I can’t afford two new dresses for my two kids on a special occasion like Eid. It never happened in my seven years of conjugal life,” said a frustrated Naseem.
“Eid shopping now turns out to be a luxury for me as I am struggling for a livelihood,” he added.
Naseem is not the only one who is passing days in hardship; many families belonging to lower and lower-middle class are struggling to meet both ends meet in this Covid-19 pandemic.
While talking to The Business Post, Abul Bahar, a clerk by profession, said, “I feel ashamed of myself for not providing enough support to my family. I feel embarrassed when my children ask me to go for Eid shopping.”
“Eid, this year came as a mental torture for me…,” added Bahar.
As people’s purchasing capacity has significantly decreased, it has left a chain reaction on businesses that used to experience a brisk sale marking Eid. The government allowed reopening of businesses including shopping malls from May 10 on a limited scale but failed to draw expected shoppers. Therefore, the businesspeople are also frustrated because of low turnover this year in the face of pandemic.
It is not the owners of shops at upscale malls or traditional markets who feel the pinch of pandemic; street vendors are dealing the same blow. Twelve-year-old Atiqul Islam sells Iftar items with his father at Panthapath intersection. He is one of those poor street vendors whose livelihoods have been devastated by the Covid-19 fallout.
“I usually have a new dress and a pair of shoes during Eid; but this year my father has told me that he is unable to buy new dress for me as income has significantly dropped,” added Atiqul, offering a bleak look.
sh/af
