Feeding the rich
View(s):
Yippee! Warella warella Sinhala Avurudu avilla! Already banks and retail stores are scrambling to offer new and innovative products all for the sake of profit. The bottom line being to make money. Of course, there is no harm in this but also spare a thought – more than loose change – to help the underserved communities in the country. Sri Lankans are known as a humane community – so help the needy too during these celebrations.Well today’s column came during a conversation with ‘Nana’ Mohideen, the jolly trader from Moneragala. I may fall into a spot of bother with religious zealots with today’s discussion, however, in the interest of religious tolerance and freedom of expression, here goes…
‘Nana’ called me early on Thursday morning, having woken up to start his ‘fast’ (this is the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan). I hadn’t spoken to him for a while and welcomed the conversation. “Nana, how are you?”
“Fine…….fine. I called to discuss an important matter relating to celebrations pertaining to fasting and Ramadan which is a sacred festival,” he said. According to one definition, fasting ‘is an exercise of devotion to willingly renounce oneself from all bodily appetites in order to form spiritual discipline and self-control’.
“What is the matter,” I asked. “Well I have been hearing that many hotels are organising ‘break’ fast or ‘Iftar’ celebrations and making it a glamorous event. Are they also inviting poor families for these celebrations,” he asked in return.
“I don’t think so. But you have a good point. Unfortunately, religious festivals have been transformed into commercial ventures. Making profit is fine as long as there is due consideration (in this case) for the poorer segments of the population,” I said. “Maybe, hotels and retail stores – while celebrating these events – would also transfer some of these funds to help a needy cause and make these events a socially responsible one,” he said.
Today’s column is with a difference and reaching out to the deep pockets of the corporate sector. Corporate Sri Lanka needs to write a new chapter in celebrating these festivals and cultural traditions – also those celebrating Vesak, Avurudu, Christmas, Thai Pongal, etc, where the main focus should lie in looking after those who need it most and thereafter ‘feeding the rich’.
One may ask why I am raising these issues now when these celebrations (the ‘Iftar’ celebration is a recent phenomenon) have been happening for decades? Well the simple response is that one needs to reflect on this at least now……..even at this late stage. Spare a thought for the poor and deserving communities.
‘Dana’ (meaning generosity) in Buddhism, meanwhile, is providing free food for Buddhist monks and those in need and also in the case of ‘dansalas’ (in ancient folklore it meant when the king and the affluent donated food for the less fortunate). While ‘dansalas’ nowadays are attuned to these values, there are occasions when motorists in posh cars stop at ‘dansalas’ (or are stopped) and drinks and ice cream are distributed.
During Hindu Pongal and Deepavali celebrations in Sri Lanka, food and drink are served at kovils to anyone walking in for prayer and reflection.
Just before Christmas, hotels kick off the festivities with the tradition of the cake mixing ceremony with guests and staff… maybe they could include baking a cake for a nearby children’s home or a home for elders in the true spirit of sharing.
Everything has become so commercialised that Sri Lankans have lost the value of sharing, particularly with those in need. Have you wondered what happens to any excess food from hotel buffets across the country? Is it destroyed, recycled or given to the starving thousands? According to a veteran hotel manager, hotels nowadays don’t prepare excess food at buffets; food is cooked and replenished when it runs short so as not to waste food. Excess food, if ever there is, is not permitted to be distributed under the law (outside the hotel) as this food comes under the ambit (2-4 hours after cooking) of ‘unfit for human consumption’.
The percentage of poor in Sri Lanka’s population rose to 24.8 per cent as at July 1, 2024, according to official data, rising sharply during the twin effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stifling economic crisis. This is a community that needs a helping hand from the more affluent in society.
In the UAE, there is an excellent example of how a restaurant is feeding the needy during the holy month of Ramadan. According to a report in Dubai’s Khaleej Times, this Dubai eatery feeds local market workers and cleaners at ‘Iftar’ daily. Unlike other ‘Iftar’ distributions, this feast follows a unique setup. Large cooking vessels are brought directly to the market’s parking area, where mats are laid out for attendees to sit and eat.
It’s very rare that workers get to consume what they sell, but during Ramadan, they are treated to a feast like no other. Every evening, after the ‘Asr’ prayer, the market’s parking area transforms into a dining space where hundreds gather to break their fast with a meal of biriyani, served steaming hot. For the past six years, the Yahya Seafood Restaurant at the Waterfront Market has been offering free ‘Iftar’ meals to workers, vendors and shoppers, ensuring that no one goes hungry during the holy month.
Taking a breather, I walked across to the kitchen to fetch my second mug of tea and was ‘confronted’ by the conversation of the trio under the margosa tree.
“Mae Avurudu walata mama hithagena innawa apey gamey duppath pavul walata udaw karanna (This time during the Avurudu, I must help some families who don’t have a proper income in our village),” said Kussi Amma Sera. “Eka honda adahasak, mokada samahara pavul badaginney inney. Samaharawita wel dekai davasakata kanney (That’s a good idea, because some families are starving and sometimes have only two meals a day),” added Serapina. “Mama salli tikak ithuru karanna oney magey bonus ekeng Mae wedeta (Maybe I should save some money from my festival bonus for this purpose),” noted Mabel Rasthiyadu.
Thanks Kussi Amma Sera. That’s a good idea. Maybe the affluent and also hotels would follow suit and share the joy of Ramadan and the Avurudu with needy communities.
Hitad.lk has you covered with quality used or brand new cars for sale that are budget friendly yet reliable! Now is the time to sell your old ride for something more attractive to today's modern automotive market demands. Browse through our selection of affordable options now on Hitad.lk before deciding on what will work best for you!