K'pong town decks up for Christmas

Nisha Chettri, SNS, Kalimpong, 18 December 2018: With winter comes one of the most wonderful times of the year, and people, irrespective of their religious leanings, get into a mood to celebrate the festival of joy, love, tolerance and brotherhood.

As the world prepares to mark Christmas and the New Year that will follow, Kalimpong town is not lagging behind when it comes to hanging stars and decorating placss and shops and houses with Christmas trees.

Christmas is believed to be the most important festival in Kalimpong after Dusherra and Diwali. Shops and restaurants have started handling more customers here, while the 'Kalimpong Carol Fest Committee' has unwrapped its two -day carol singing event on Main Road on 24 and 25 December.

Thee Committee was formed in the year 2000 to spread love and happiness, and ever since, it has been organizing festivals during Christmas on Main Road.

"We have been organising the carol fest for the past many years, 'except for last year for some reasons. This year, the joy of Christmas will return on Main Road for two days on 24 and 25 December in a bigger manner," says the spokesperson of the committee, Ruben Khawas.

For this year, they have roped in pastor Ashish Karthak who will conduct a prayer service on the 24th, while the youths of the church will present various programmes.

On the 25th, Christmas day, various guest artists are scheduled to put up a show here, along with Pastor Dhurva Shisya. the organizers say.

"We appeal to all people to comee and witness the festival, as there are dances from the churches here and choirs team from the Church of North India (CBI), United Church of North India (UCNI) and Free Church," Mr Khawas adds.

Meanwhile, shops are doing brisk business, selling X-Mas decor and stars and Christmas trees, while shopkeepers say they are targeting the younger generation, which has just gone on a winter break after their exams in schools and colleges.

As Edward Lepcha, a man on DB Giri Road here, walks with a star and a Christmas tree in his hand, he tells this correspondent, "You never know  what will come up at the last minute. I am shopping in soupcon every day in order to avoid the last minute rush.' The town is brimming with shoppers as the festive season starts, while work also gets hectic at such time."

Shradha Garg, a shopkeeper donning a Santa Claus hat on DB Giri Road, says has old customers who are regulars. "As such. I have made it a point to make early arrangements at the shop for the festival," she says.

"I have people shopping a long time here--who make pre-order requests. They start buying from 9th or 10th of December every year." she adds.