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Charity begins at home for Abdul Kalam

By Mahendra Ved

NEW DELHI: In a subtle disapproval of the lavish Iftar parties that have become part of the Capital’s political culture in recent years, President A P J Abdul Kalam on Wednesday called off the one traditionally organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan during the holy month of Ramzan. Instead, the President called for “unity of minds of our people”.

In keeping with this spirit, his secretariat announced that the money that would have been spent for the Iftar would be sent for the welfare of orphanages, “so that the poor and the needy are helped during this holy month”.

The no-Iftar-party tone this year was set by leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi and followed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, Vajpayee held a “Press Day” lunch last week. The same day, HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi hosted a “Diwali Milan”, treating his guests to chaat and sweets from Old Delhi.

Both Vajpayee and Gandhi are expected to organise “Eid Milan” after the fasting period is over.

The President’s office said, in a statement, on Wednesday: “The month of Ramzan has a special significance as the Quran Sharief was bestowed as guidance to humanity during this period. During this month, fasting with prayers is observed, Namaaz-e-Taraveeh (special prayers) are held and charity is done.”

The President hoped that the holy month would usher in “peace, prosperity and harmony” in the country.

His call for “unity of minds of our people” carried the same message, albeit in a different tone, as that of his predecessor, K R Narayanan, who repeatedly used the word “tolerance” during the last months of his tenure, particularly after the communal violence in Gujarat.

In recent years, compared to the lavish Iftar parties organised by the Prime Minister at Hyderabad House, other ministers and several senior political leaders, where political and social glitterati sideline the diplomats and the few traditionally-dressed Muslim invitees, the ones at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been a low-key affair. Generally, about 300-400 people have been invited. The fare has been simple, prepared by the household wing of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Wednesday’s announcement referred to the money to be spent. But no official was in a position to indicate the amount generally spent. Nor is there any indication which of the orphanages would receive the money.

Of the Iftar parties organised during the last Ramzan, the ones by the Prime Minister and the then President Narayanan were called off in the wake of the December 13 terror attack on Parliament. Vajpayee’s party was scheduled the same evening, while the President was to play the host the next day.

From the government’s side, the Iftar parties so far this year have included a relatively simple affair hosted by civil aviation minister Shahnawaz Hussain. —TI

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