LPG Shortage Forces Lucknow Families to Abandon Traditional Eid Cooking
A severe shortage of cooking gas is casting a dark shadow over Eid preparations in Lucknow, compelling residents to abandon cherished traditions and opt for ready-made dishes instead of cooking elaborate meals like sewai and biryani at home.
Emotional Toll on Family Traditions
Families dependent on single LPG cylinders are facing significant disruptions, as they cannot wait for delayed refills. Hajra Bano, a resident of Sadar Bazaar, shared that this will be the first time her family does not prepare sewai at home. The dish holds deep emotional value, being based on her late grandmother's recipe.
"Sewai requires a lot of cooking gas, and our refill hasn't arrived yet. We have decided not to cook it this year," she said, expressing disappointment at skipping a cherished tradition.
Shift to Outsourced and Ready-Made Food
Many residents are turning to external sources for their Eid meals. Shabbir from Purana Qila has decided to order sewai from outside this year, as cooking at home is no longer feasible. "We are planning to order dishes from caterers or food outlets if we don't get the refill on time," he explained.
In Burlington, a newly married woman expressed her disappointment, having planned to prepare qiwami sewai and sheer khurma for Eid. These dishes require around half-an-hour of continuous gas cooking, but with limited availability, she finds it difficult to proceed with preparations.
Expert Insights and Alternative Preparations
Chef Afzal Qureshi highlighted the fuel-intensive nature of traditional Eid dishes. "The traditional qiwami siwai and sheer khurma require a lot of cooking to make sugar syrup, and they consume a large amount of fuel. However, there are many preparations like water-based siwai that require a lesser amount of fuel," he noted, suggesting alternatives.
Altered Celebrations and Compromises
The gas shortage is forcing families to change their usual Eid practices. Asma Iqbal, a resident of Husainganj, will spend Eid at her sister's home along with her daughter, as she has run out of cooking gas. This marks a departure from her annual tradition of celebrating the festival at her own home.
"There is no LPG gas at home, and the refill hasn't arrived yet. I had no choice but to go to my sister's place," said Asma.
Embracing Simplicity and Readymade Alternatives
Residents are increasingly turning to alternatives such as namkeens and ready-made sweets to manage Eid preparations. Rehana Khan from Cantonment said, "We have decided to keep it simple this year and buy readymade items like mixed namkeen and mathri, as preparing dishes like sewai requires time and running gas."
Another local, Baby, emphasized that the shift to ready-made food is not a preference but a compulsion driven by the ongoing LPG crisis. The shortage is not only affecting culinary traditions but also reshaping how families celebrate this important festival, highlighting broader issues of resource availability and urban living challenges.
