HYDERABAD: The city is already a page plucked from a Grimm’s fairytale decked up with glittering paper stars, tall Xmas trees that in a cluster appear like a mini-forest and trees lining the streets wrapped in fairy lights.
While most Hyderabadis are intoxicated with this once-a-year visual winter delight, with some having already carried home baskets of baked goodies other are untying the glazed ribbons for different reasons.
These Hyderabadis are sharing the Christmas warmth and cheer with the less fortunate such as the silver-painted child beggars on the pavements of Koti, or the homeless little ones sharing the same space.
Take 22-year-old student Jeetesh Sharma who was buying packets of fruit cakes and chocolate boxes from a confectionery shop in Banjara Hills, not for family or friends but for child beggars and the homeless.
Holding the bagful of goodies, he shared, “Last year also I had spent Christmas with these children. I am going to give these packets to them and listen to their stories. This experience can’t equal to a sit-down dinner in some fine dining place.”
He is not alone in his unique way of celebrating Christmas. Another young man plans to dress up as Santa and surprise the children in the slum area of Himayat Nagar with some music as well.
Ravi S from Sri Chaitanya Techno School and his friends are going to slums to spend a good part of the evening there.
He informed, “We play some light music among ourselves for fun. The other day I saw one of the kids playing with a Santa cap and we decided to be and play Santa for them.” Meanwhile, popular cake shops like Van Lavino, Swiss Castle saw heavy footfall on Saturday.