Muslims across India celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with prayers for peace, brotherhood

New Delhi, Aug 9: A festive spirit gripped India on Friday with millions of Muslims across the country celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with gaiety and religious fervor.

Mass prayers were held at Eid-gahs and Masjids, and were followed by a warm exchange of greetings and embrace, and at the same time an expression of spreading messages of love and unity.

In the capital, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur drove to the residence of Vice President Hamid Ansari to greet him on the festival, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan.

Despite overcast conditions and scattered rains in some areas, hundreds of faithful dressed in their festive best turned up at historic Jama Masjid, Fathepuri Masjid, Hazrat Nizamuddin and other mosques in the city to offer prayers.

People hugged each other and wished "Eid Mubarak", exchanged gifts and enjoyed special dishes, particularly 'sewayian' made of vermicelli, 'phirni' and different varieties of biryani and kebabs. Elders gave 'eidee' (token money) to children.

People visited relatives and markets decked up for the festival and gave out alms to the needy.

Across the country, the mosques and idgahs were overflowing with the devout with leaders too joining the celebrations.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, which saw the biggest gathering of 60,000 people.

Barring protests at some places, Eid-ul Fitr was celebrated across Kashmir with traditional fervour. Eidgah ground saw an attendance of 35,000 persons while the tourist Reception Centre ground near Lal Chowk also witnessed a large gathering of around 25,000 people. Over 10,000 Muslims offered prayers at Syed Yaqoob Shah Shrine at Sonawar.

Reports of Eid celebration and congregational prayers were also received from all major towns and district headquarters of the Valley.

While Eid prayers passed off peacefully in most parts of the Valley, violent protests erupted soon after the prayers at Eidgah in Old City and Hyderpora in Civil Lines area. Reports of protests were also received from Sopore town in Baramulla district and Anantnag town in south Kashmir.

On the frontiers, the killing of five Indian soldiers along Line of Control cast a shadow as Indian and Pakistani forces skipped the tradition of exchanging greetings and sweets at Poonch.

However, the BSF and Pakistan Rangers did exchange sweets at Octroi post in R S Pura of Jammu and at the Attari/Wagah Joint Check Post in Punjab.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress President Sonia Gandhi greeted the people on Eid-ul-Fitr and hoped that the festival will instill a sense of unity among all faiths and pride in the composite culture of country.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the largest Eid prayer gathering on Red Road in the heart of Kolkata. On the occasion, Banerjee announced reservation in higher education in the state for minorities.

"We want youths and children from minority communities to advance in studies and become doctors, engineers and professionals in different other fields," Banerjee said, stating that reservation of seats would be introduced in higher education from 2014 educational curriculum.

In Darjeeling Hills, which has been affected by an indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha demanding a separate state, the celebrations remained subdued.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to convey his greetings.

"Eid Mubarak! May everyone in the country be blessed with happiness, peace, prosperity and good health," he said in his tweet.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited several places to greet people on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr and prayed for the progress of the state.

At Gandhi Maidan in Patna, the chief minister was given a skull cap which he wore and prayed for prosperity and growth and eradication of poverty in the state. Later, he ate with the children.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also sported a skull cap as he greeted people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at the Idgah in Bhopal.

In the South, hundreds of Muslims thronged the famous Dargah at Mount Road in Chennai and also visited Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu to offer special prayers.

Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, DMK President M Karunanidhi and several political party leaders greeted the people.

The faithful in hundreds turned up to offer special namaz in Idgahs and mosques across Karnataka. Charity programmes were organised in many places where new clothes, food packets and gifts were distributed to the poor and needy.

Muslims in Kerala and coastal Karnataka had celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday.

Also Read: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with fervorur

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressing the Muslims on occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at Khadria Jumma Masjid on Millers Road in Bangalore on Friday. MLA Roshan Baig and others are seen.

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Warning! Cancer-causing chemicals found in bakery products, especially cakes in Karnataka

News Network

October 3,2024

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official.

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