By Staff Reporter
Dubai: Vidhyadharan Ereuthinad, a non-Muslim Indian expat, has been fasting for more than 18 hours each day during the holy month of Ramadan for the past 32 years.
For a person who respects all religions and faiths, the 69-year-old Hindu bachelor observes Ramadan traditions of fasting as a heartfelt expression of solidarity with his Muslim friends and the broader community.
Vidhyadharan, who moved to the UAE in 1982, began his journey by taking on various odd jobs. Eventually, he found stability as a driver. Since 1992, he has been fasting for the full 30 days, regardless of the moon’s sighting or any other factors.
“Back home in Kerala, Ramadan commonly lasts for 30 days,” said Vidhyadharan, a native of Kerala’s state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. He also fasts for 41 days during the Sabarimala season dedicated to the revered Hindu deity Swami Ayyappa.
No pre-dawn meal
What makes his Ramadan practice distinct is the simplicity and thoughtfulness of his iftar ritual.
“I have dates, fruits, and a vegetarian meal. I don’t eat meat, though rarely I might have fish.”
After breaking his fast with a simple iftar, he has a light dinner by 10 pm and goes to sleeps by 11 pm. He wakes up by 6 am or 7 am.
“I don’t have a pre-dawn suhoor meal. I end up fasting for more than 18 hours, but I never feel tired,” said Vidhyadharan, a non-smoker and teetotaler.
Now running a travel agency in Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), Vidhyadharan has dedicated the past four decades of his life to repatriating bodies, especially to the Indian subcontinent. Apart from taking part in iftar distribution as part of initiatives by the Global Pravasi Union and other Indian associations during Ramadan, he continues to handle cases of repatriation requirements in Sharjah and the northern emirates of UAQ, Ajman, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
“I have committed my life to social work, which never stops in Ramadan as well. Fasting is more than just a tradition for me. It is a symbol of discipline and understanding. Following these traditions is a way to grow spiritually and socially,” Vidhyadharan said, stressing the importance of unity, especially in today’s world. “If people could learn to support and understand one another, regardless of their faith or background, everything would be better. Our shared values are what truly matter.”
