Eid brings mixed emotions to Sidr survivors

A solemn Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, brings only sadness to Sidr survivors. Signs of festivity almost faded from the ruined south. bdnews24.com's Patuakhali correspondent Khandaker Delwar Jalali reports from the south that people are now busier rebuilding their lives than preparing for the Eid.

Khandaker Delwar Jalali

bdnews24.com correspondent

Patuakhali, Dec 20 (bdnews24.com)—A solemn Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, brings only sadness to Sidr survivors.

Signs of festivity almost faded from the south ruined by the cyclone that killed more than 3,000 people and cut a swathe of devastation through the area.

The Nov 15 disaster turned members of many well-off families in Patuakhali and other southern districts into numbers.

bdnews24.com correspondent Khandaker Delwar Jalali reports from the south that people are now busier rebuilding their lives than preparing for the Eid.

Schoolteacher Abdul Mannan, a Patuakhali resident who survived the cyclone, said: "The Eid isn't a moment of happiness for me."

Shahid Mollah from Vikakhali village in the same district has a similar story to tell.

"I can't think of observing the Eid. My mind is elsewhere—how to rebuild my house."

Mizanur Rahman is among the Sidr survivors who said they have had enough of sacrifice—the main principle of the Eid-ul-Azha.

"Why should we slaughter cows when we are already slaughtered?" he said.

Minara Begum of Charkhali village, who lost husband Mohammad Khan and children Nira and Mithu, is seemingly disoriented.

She does not have a home, nor does she cook for herself. She depends on her relatives.

"Those who would sacrifice animals are gone with the cyclone. It's not necessary for me anymore," said Minara, close to tears.

In the same village lives Firoz Mallick, shell-shocked by the deaths of his wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

He lives with his son Raihan and daughter Bithi, the only two survivors in the family.

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