Date:26/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/26/stories/2005122617580300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Christmas banquet for street children

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: When about 1,200 street children from across the city walked into the city's Bosco Mane on Sunday, they were in for some Christmas surprise. The Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota had arranged a special Christmas banquet for them.

Ignoring the barriers of religion, caste and place of origin, the children thronged the Bosco Mane grounds in Chamarajpet. Many of them were unaware of the significance of the day. All that mattered to them was that the visit would guarantee them their stomach fill and some gifts to cherish.

Programme coordinator, Fr. C.V. George said: "Every child on the street is a VIP for this banquet. Hence we had personally invited each of them." The entire Bosco team comprising the regular staff and nearly 100 volunteers were busy for the past two weeks, visiting different parts of the city for those possible invitees.

Fr. Jerome, Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Church, Railway Colony, delivered the Christmas message at the function. Dances, message programmes and songs added colour to the event. The festive spirit reached its zenith with the arrival of Santa Claus. The visibly ecstatic children received new clothes and other gifts from Santa.

Bosco's Executive Director, Fr. Edward said: "At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. He was born in a manger, and not in a palace. Today Jesus is born on the streets, in the slums."