Be the Santa!

With uncertainty looming large and omicron coronavirus leading the rampage in most countries, there are new travel restrictions, test requirements and quarantine measures; Christmas holidays are usually the time when families from abroad come back home, kids return home from overseas and families get together for celebrations leading up to the New Year. All this is now up in the air with the virus spreading fear and numbers rising. Hence, Santa for the kids and the  spirit and the gifting are about, “Believing in joy and goodwill which are positive thoughts, says Tania Samtani, owner of gift shop DroSto. “It’s a must for us to keep the Santa tradition alive for children who’ve really suffered due to lockdowns. And for the adults, becoming a Santa in nature and extending charity or gifts can only bring about positive change,” adds Tania.

Humanity at its Best
Communities are nothing if we do not at the very core celebrate festivals, at its heart, every society must have human connection and be able to lift on another up. In the past two years since Coronavirus struck, those bonds, that network of family, friends, colleagues, and even people-gazing at walkers on the street have been dramatically altered. “For many Christmases this year are without a loved one by their side. And even worse, kids aren’t able to come down from overseas and be with their grieving parent. Hence, the concept of giving, spreading joy and being the Santa in someone’s life are crucial. We need to use this Christmas to give way for our humanity to shine through,” says social activist and cultural commentator Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali, the Heir of the Nawab of Arcot.

Spreading joy
Archana Kalpathi, of AGS cinemas, says, “This season is about building communities and sustaining the smiles of those who’ve been burdened by the economic downturn of Coronavirus. As an organisation we refuse to let uncertainty dim the festive spirit of the families that work with us and cinegoers too, deserve utmost health protection. We are taking extra efforts each day to build a fool-proof system of health, hygiene around our establishments and with it also ensuring all our staff are taken care of, despite many organisations opting for job cuts. We believe that the soul of a city livens up because of the happiness quotient of its people. Each day that is my endeavour, to spread joy and continued prosperity.”

The season of giving
Christmas embodies the spirit of giving. God’s gift of Christ to mankind is the origin of our faith. This same spirit of generosity and sharing prevails during Christmas. We are thankful for God’s blessings and open our homes to loved ones and close friends, renewing bonds of affection and sharing homecooked festive dishes.
We truly need to embrace the spirit of giving and sharing this Christmas.
The Mizo community comes together through the Hyderabad Mizo Christian Fellowship to distribute blankets and food packets to the homeless. This year, clothes collected from families and students were distributed at Jawahar Nagar colony. A prayer fellowship meet for the community has also been arranged at a city church, as many cannot travel home due to work obligations and financial constraints.
Amidst the prevailing Covid situation, we need take care to adhere to the prescribed protocols. We have many blessings to be thankful for, above all, good health and loved ones.
— Dr Christina Z.Chongthu, IAS, Secretary and Commissioner, Tribal Welfare Department, Telangana Government