Veg pulao, ice cream flavour nawab progeny's Mangal feast
Lucknow: In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, Nawab Syed Mohammad Asad, businessman and descendant of the third nawab of Awadh, Muhammad Ali Shah, continued his family tradition of organising bhandara (community feast) on Bada Mangal in the city on Tuesday.
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Asad, who has been faithfully carrying forward this legacy dating back to nawabi era, said. "I've been witnessing this tradition since childhood when my father would organise these feasts during the Jyeshtha month of Hindu calendar."
The tradition is to serve all regardless of religious belief. Over the years, bhandaras have offered rice with chhhola, rajma, kadhi, puri sabzi, and boondi. This year, Asad offered veg pulao and ice cream of mango, strawberry, orange, pineapple and lemon flavours.
"I organise bhandara not only to preserve my ancestral legacy but also because I believe it's my duty to serve those who struggle for two square meals of the day," said Asad.
His mother, Husna Begum, emphasised that the tradition aimed to preserve Lucknow's famous Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, where people of different faiths coexist harmoniously.
"We hope our future generations will continue the tradition as also our family legacy," she added.
Beside the annual feasts, Asad has contributed to the city's interfaith harmony by installing coolers in several temples, including at Koneshwar temple and Lete Huye Hanumanji temple, demonstrating his commitment to fostering communal brotherhood.
Meanwhile, Bada Mangal was celebrated by Leaders Club at the Central Bank of India, Faizabad Road. Prayers were offered to Lord Hanuman for communal harmony and national integration,
Rahul Dhawan, captain of Leaders Club said, "We have Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in our team and we wish to sustain the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of Awadh," he said.
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