People head to beaches, parks

KARACHI:

People enjoyed all three days of Eid by visiting various entertainment spots in Karachi. Millions of people reached beaches and had fun bathing in the sea. Horse, camel riding and quad bikes were the main attractions for children.

Safari Park and Hill Park also attracted thousands of people where only families were allowed on Eid days. They had a lot of fun.

In the same way, thousands of citizens went to the Sindbad for entertainment. A large number of people also visited the PAF Museum to experience a different entertainment. Manora also attracted people of all ages where they enjoyed boat riding.

Complaints of traffic jams were also received at various places in the city during the evening hours.

Before going for entertainment spots on the first day of Eid, a large number of citizens visited graveyards and offered Fateha for their loved ones.

Popular amusement parks like Askari Park, Maritime Museum, and PAF Museum and Jabees Funland saw huge crowds during the three days of Eid.

However, the festive occasion also saw numerous temporary amusement spots propping up offering rides and swings on the festive occasion.

In many city areas, the intrepid-entrepreneurs pulled in their rickety swings and small rides like marry-go-round in neighbourhoods to make profits from children's' Eidi.

Like every year, in the densely populated areas like Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Burns Road and Kharadar, some streets and open spaces were converted into play areas during Eid.

Men offering swings, and horse and camel rides made quick silver in a week starting from the Ramazan 27 to the third day of Eid and left.

Children in their Eid dresses and colourfull goggles were seen enjoying the swings, horse and camel rides and the Victoria horse carriage ride.

Given the hot weather, the ice cream and shaved-ice locally known as gola ganda vendors made roaring sales.

In FC Area, children told The Express Tribune that they came out from their homes for enjoyment and would spend all Eidi on swings, ice creams and other items.

Parents said that there will be no Eid if children will not spend their Eidi money. Till evening, it seemed that the children had no program to go home. It seems that children will enjoy these swings till the night.

Camel drivers make quick silver

The camel drivers or sarbans come to Karachi from nearby towns of Sindh for Eid season. They come to city from villages to make an income during the last 10 days of Ramazan and the three days of Eid holidays.

Moreover, men with horse carriages also bring their ancient royal rides to old neighbourhoods giving children a ride for a few rupees.

Abdullah Khaskheli, who gives camel rides to children in Federal Capital Area (FC Area), said, "We used to charge Rs30 for a ride till last year, now we take Rs50." He said the price of feed for his camel and the food for his children has gone up, so he was forced to hike the charges.

Riding camels and horses is a traditional component of Eid entertainment for children in the old city neighbourhoods.

Children enjoy riding beautifully decorated horses during the Eid holidays and also take pictures. Both adults and kids like to enjoy themselves.

As simple village folks that they are, the sarbans say that seeing children makes them happy. "Squealing with joy and laughing as they ride the camels makes it worthwhile," said camle owner Bashir Jutt.

"We take the money the kids gave us to feed our children. We need to be cautious while giving a ride to the children, lest they might not fall down and get hurt. Due to overcrowding, animals get irritated, so we give rides in open places," he explained.

"The Eid season is over for us, we will bid farewell till next year," the wandering camel rider said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2023.