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Vermicelli makers working hard for Ramadan

     Hyderabad: Vermicelli makers in Hyderabad are working overtime to meet the heavy demand for vermicelli (locally known as sevayian), a must sweet during the Muslim holy month of 'Ramadan' which is expected to begin from tomorrow after the sighting of new moon. With the beginning of Ramadan, the sale of sevayian or vermicelli goes up significantly. Vermicelli-makers who start making the thin long noodles months in advance said that the holy month of fasting commonly brings in brisk business. Mohammad Khan, a Vermicelli maker said that his family has been into this seasonal business that lasts for around 2-3 months in a year since generations. "This vermicelli is for Ramadan and Eid, these are the delicacies of the month, so we make them," Khan added. Though these days machine made vermicelli are available in the markets, people still prefer hand made ones. "The taste of the hand made vermicelli is better than the machine made ones. These are dried in heat. The machine made vermicelli is very thin. These are thicker and more tastier," said Ahmed Khalil, another vermicelli maker. During Ramadan, Muslims do not take food or water from dawn to dusk. They also devote their time to worship and studying of the Quran. They eat a pre-dawn meal, called Sehri and at the end of the day, called Iftar. The Muslims are required to refrain from indecent acts and improper thoughts, nor may they make offensive gestures or unkind words during the period. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, Islam's holy book, and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours. The end of Ramadan heralds the festival of Eid ul fitr.
-Sep 1, 2008