Agartala/Aizawl/Kohima/ iMPHAL: The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) exchanged greetings, flowers and sweets on the occasion of Eid, a BSF official said on Monday.
According to the BSF official, senior BSF and BGB officials accompanied by locally posted troopers greeted each other on Saturday and Sunday at many places along the 4,096-km Bangladesh frontier with India’s West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
“We exchange greetings and sweets on every important, religious and national-day event and programmes of both countries,” the official said.
Meanwhile, a large number of Muslims also assembled in mosques and Eidgahs to offer special prayers in Tripura.
Large congregation offered prayers at Shivnagar, Shantipara, Gulchakkar, Aralia on the outskirts of the capital city, and other parts of the state including Sonamura (in western Tripura), Udaipur (in southern Tripura), Kailasahar and Dharmanagar (in northern Tripura).
In an unique gesture, Tipu Sultan, a journalist at leading Tripura daily ‘Syandan Patrika’ donated Rs 10,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund instead of making an animal sacrifice.
“Since last year, instead of making ‘qurbani’ (animal sacrifice), my family and I donate money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Tipu Sultan said after handing over a cheque to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday night.
Appreciating the gesture, Deb said, “I believe everyone will be influenced by his (Tipu Sultan) noble gesture.”
The Chief Minister and Governor Ramesh Bais have greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Eid.
In Christian-majority Mizoram, thousands of devout Muslims offered special prayers in Bara Bazaar, Zarkawt as well as at other mosques and Eidgahs in the state.
Governor and CM greet people of Nagaland
Nagaland Governor N Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
In his message, Ravi hoped that the auspicious occasion will strengthen social harmony and bonds of human brotherhood in the spirit of a composite society.
Rio, extending greeting to all those celebrating Eid, wished them a joyous celebration filled with love and peace.
The Muslims in Nagaland celebrated Eid-al-Adha with religious fervour and gaiety while also extending sacrificial offerings.
In the state capital, thousands of Muslims assembled at Kohima Local Ground to performing special namaz led by peshemam Moulana Bilal Ahmed Choudhury.
In Dimapur, people converged at idgah ground near DDSC stadium.
Manipur celebrates Eid
Id-Ul-Zuha was celebrated here on Monday by the Muslim community.
Prayers were held at mosques at Lilong, Mayang Imphal, Sora, Kwakta, Thoubal, Kshetrigao and other Muslim-inhabited areas of the state.
Feasts were organised attended by family, friends and well-wishers.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said followers of Islam believe that Allah commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail. Ibrahim followed God’s order, but his son was replaced by a sheep at the last moment.
The festival celebrates the spirit of sacrifice and promotes the feeling of compassion and love to serve the poor and the needy, it said.
“Even as we celebrate this festival with the joy of sharing and charity, let us pray that the occasion may also spread the message of love, kindness and forgiveness to all sections of the society for a more peaceful and prosperous Manipur,” he added.
Governor Najma Heptulla said that Id-Ul-Zuha or ‘festival of sacrifice’ celebrates the spirit of sacrifice rising above the narrow barriers of one’s ego and self-interest for the good of all.
The festival promotes tolerance, harmony and goodwill amongst different communities. (Agencies)
