Taranjiv Singh is a law graduate who once served in Malaysia’s biggest broadcasting company.
While exploring his farming venture, the 40-year-old started driving for an e-hailing company in August last year.
Taranjiv shares his tales with Twentytwo13. This week, he shares his conversations about congested roads and the presumed shopping frenzy, leading up to the Hari Raya celebrations.
Festivals are all about getting together, and eating. And it’s no different with the Hari Raya celebrations this year.
The government, on Tuesday, announced an additional holiday. What that basically means is that Malaysians will have a four-day holiday, starting from Friday, to Monday.
I had some passengers who admitted they were confused with the holidays. Perhaps, they would understand it better if it’s drawn to them, or if presented in a TikTok video.
I had other passengers, mostly from the retail industry, complaining that they would still have to work throughout the Raya celebration. I feel sorry for them.
There are those who still head to the iconic shopping spots along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Kenanga Wholesale City, especially in the final days of Ramadan. The e-hailing business, or at least where I’m concerned, has been generally rather quiet throughout the fasting month.
According to my passengers, it’s due to the fact that many had overspent throughout the fasting month, buying out, instead of cooking at home due to the lack of time. Others admitted that their wallets had burst earlier than expected, despite receiving their Raya bonuses. For them, it’s a “Raya bajet” this year.
I enjoyed a chat with three elderly women, who boarded my car, recently. One of them admitted that the days of buying new furniture or curtains for Raya, are over. In fact, the trio were out to get Raya cookies, as they just didn’t have the time to make them.
“Pre-Covid-19 days, some of us would get new clothes, new sofas, new televisions and even, new undergarments. Everything had to be new,” said one of the women.
“But Covid-19 has made us realise that we don’t need to tailor clothes, just to be used for an hour or two. And with this terrible hot weather, I doubt many of us will be in our baju Melayu or baju kurung the whole day,” she added.
I’ve noticed fewer shopping bags from those who boarded my car at these shopping areas. And most of the stuff in their bags are food items (such as cookies). Many of them admitted that prices were high, and that they just couldn’t afford it.
While the bags were no doubt fewer, the same cannot be said about traffic. It’s been a nightmare getting into these areas, especially at night. I had a passenger who was eager to purchase some goods after work before leaving for his hometown, located on the East Coast, in the wee hours of the morning.
The vehicles may be aplenty, but most of the patrons, I’ve been told, were mostly there to look-see. Traders too, complained, saying that business has not been great, post-Covid-19.
There’s a silver lining to this, I guess. Many have now realised that they don’t need to spend unnecessarily, and that they mostly spend on the one thing that matters the most – food.
Food is what brings people together, and when done in a joyous manner, becomes a celebration.
I’ll be working throughout Hari Raya, but I will make time for some rendang and ketupat at my friends’ homes.
Here’s wishing my friends and customers a wonderful Hari Raya Aidilfitri, maaf zahir dan batin.
