Ramzan is a time for abstinence, prayers and fraternising for practising Muslims. It is equally the time for gorging on sumptuous food during the month. To make it easier for fasting students, some educational institutions offer Sehri (pre-sunrise) and Iftaar (post-sunset) meals.

The National Institute of Design and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad are two such institutes that open their canteens at 3.30 am to prepare Sehri.

“Our canteen opens early during Ramzan. The students have asked for fruits, dry fruits, milk and juice,” says Dr Vijaya Deshmukh, Registrar, NID.

There are 20 students observing Roza at NID and 10 students at IIM-A.

Apart from the snacks, IIM-A also serves the delicious seviyan kheer and chicken keema with bread.

Through the day the devout take no food or water. The maghrib azan or sunset prayer call signals the end of the fast, which is broken with dates and water. Students hold their prayers within the campus, either in congregations in one of the hostel rooms, or individually. As the Iftaar timing in Ahmedabad and nearby areas is 7.30 p.m., Muslim students may take a break in between classes to have dinner at 8 p.m.

Some other institutes celebrate the month in other unique ways. At the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, it is a truly international affair, with students of the entire SAARC region including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh observing the fast.

“Opening Iftaar in the college mess with 15 other students from varied cultures and religions was true to the spirit of the month. There were many non-Muslim friends who observed Ramzan with us or helped the canteen staff serve us during Iftaar,” says Ms Sadaf Aman, a former student.

The high point of the month is the Iftaar party at Professor Nishaat Ahmed's house where students congregate for celebrations. Over the years it has become a much awaited tradition where mouth watering biryani, haleem and sweets are served.

“Ramzan was never more multi-cultural and multinational than while in college. It was truly a month to remember,” says Ms Sadaf.

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