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As an Eid Salami, Tunan Ahmed was given money by her elders through the apps. She was delighted. However, she did not always get Eid Salami in this manner. She affirms that while receiving it via a digital application makes her happy, the absolute delight comes from collecting new currency in hand, just like she did when she was younger.
This is not just the case for Tunan, who recently completed her HSC; many others, like her, have observed the evolution of this practice throughout time.
Salami in envelopes and hands in the 60s
Shawkat Ali, an old Dhakaite who lives in Narinda, Old Dhaka, said his maternal grandmother used to give him Eid Salami in his hands when he was a schoolboy. Those were mainly coins.
"It still vividly appears in my mind as though it just occurred. If it was a coin, she used to give it to me in a box; if it was paper money, she used to give it to me in my hand. On the day of Eid, I received five to ten taka from my nani (grandmother). I used to visit my grandmother's house after Eid Prayer. She awaited my arrival so that she could offer me the Salami."
Mr Shawkat used to receive Salami from his maternal uncles in addition to his grandmother. He used to give his younger ones Salami when he grew up.
In this context, Shawkat states, "My uncles used to present Salami as fresh paper notes. As soon as it was my turn, I too followed them. By that point, both the amount I used to receive got increased and the practice of presenting Eid cards had become more popular."
Eid card days
The generation of the 1980s and 1990s was well-known for its love of Eid cards. The days leading up to Eid used to be busy at the large card houses stores in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Afroza, a homemaker today, used to purchase Eid card bundles over a decade ago.
When Eid-ul-Fitr came around, the card producers were too busy. I used to stand in a queue to purchase my cards on time.
I went to Purana Paltan's Azad Products. Only a few customers were there checking cards, and the store was otherwise vacant. The number of bugging cards from the shops has long since disappeared.
Zubayer, who is now a businessman, remembered his Eid days. "I used to get salami in cards for Eid," he claims. The notes were kept in a pocket or a clutch made of ribbon.
"Those vibrant cards and the Salami were a gift from my older sisters and brother. Salami and Lovely Cards were both a lot of fun. I used to display my cards to my pals, and they did the same to me; it was an experience I would never forget," he remarked.
Digital Eid send-money days
From the beginning of this article, we learned the narrative of today's way of gathering Eid Salami from a student named Tunan Ahmed. She discovered the habit of collecting Salami from house to house while growing up, but not in cards. She did, however, get cards.
"With my friends, I used to buy and sell cards in my neighbourhood. It was a lot of fun, and I also received colourful cards without Salami on them," Tunan shared.
What are her grandparents' thoughts on sending money digitally? "The trend isn't familiar to them, nor is it close to their hearts," she said.
Mr Shawkat answered in the same manner. "Salami is a tradition or just a simple way to connect with your children, grandchildren, or, in a broader sense, the younger ones," he said. Everyone is busy these days; therefore, if they come to see me on Eid and have Salami from me, I will feel relieved."
He said, "Salami through a digital medium is good for people living in the distance, but in this way, they will remain in the distance, and people like me who don't know how to use these apps cannot give salami."
"So I'd rather meet my son and daughter in person and recreate the memories I used to have."