Street food fosters communal harmony this Ramadan

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

Spicy food, cold beverages, heady desserts, sweets, fruits and louder noise are common to see nowadays in Shivaji Nagar, one of Bengaluru’s most iconic places to hang around, this Ramadan, as it brings people of all communities together at the time of Iftar. A visit to the Chowk revealed that people of all communities spend time here from 3 pm to 3 am during Ramadan, sharing compassion, besides hot Biriyani, Kebabs and a variety of other foods.

The local shopkeepers and the traders told News Trail that the number of people visiting the street has steeply increased after Covid retreated. The adjacent Russell Market and the neighbourhood got a facelift last month at a cost of Rs 7 crore, and the change is obvious. Apart from Muslims, a lot of non-Muslims run shops in this stretch, selling delicious foods to the customers.

These shopkeepers are only too happy that people from different walks of life and creed enjoy the food served here, adding that most of their business comes from people working in the IT sector. No clash in business “It is a month of festivities and people from all communities connect over food. It is the best thing to stay connected with and spread harmony.

We have not had a clash for putting up stalls here,” Ramesh Babu, a shopkeeper said. Ismail, another shopkeeper, echoed what Ramesh said. “We are brothers more than businessmen. We wish to remain this way and spread harmony all our life. We are more connected to each other irrespective of our different religion, thanks to Ramadan,” he said. Street food, a big hit From Haleem, a popular dish, to hot Samosas, Sheeks, Cold sherbets to the multiple flavoured Kebabs, all are big hits among the people.

“This is not the first time we are here to enjoy the delicious food. We wish the place remains the same every month and not just during the month of Ramadan,” the “gang leader” of a group of chirpy youngsters said. Also on the list of musthave items sold here are Harira, and Sulaimani chai, which serve as the perfect sign-off indulgences. At around Rs 700 per head that a treat over here costs, the deal is quite a steal. Similar haunts at Koramangala and Frazer Town are also worth a visit.