Onam and Eid coincide with Teachers’ Day today

Panaji: Sep 5 is witnessing a rare convergence of celebrations as two festivals coincide with Teachers’ Day. Onam, a traditional harvest festival celebrated by Keralites, and Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad, are both being observed on Friday.“The beauty of Onam is that it is a non-religious, secular festival celebrated by all Keralites to welcome King Mahabali. It celebrates the legendary, generous king’s annual visit, symbolising unity, prosperity, and gratitude for a good harvest,” said Tinky George, a member of the Kerala Samajam, Panaji.The Federation of the All Goa Malayalee Association started Onam celebrations last week and is culminating them on Friday.

“It is great that this year, Onam is coinciding with Eid. Right from last-minute purchases for food and flowers to dress shopping, we will get to experience the festival with our Muslim brethren this time,” George said.In the state capital, the Muslim community will hold a procession (juloos) on Friday. It will commence from Jama Masjid via St Inez and proceed towards 18th June Road before returning to Jama Masjid to mark Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.

“This is the 1,500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, so we will have month-long programmes at the Jama Masjid, that will go on till Oct 5. The prophet was kind and a great teacher, so it is heart-warming to share the Eid with Onam and Teachers’ Day,” said Bashir Ahmed, president of the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamat.Teachers’ Day commemorates the life of former President of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and honours teachers and educators across India.