Meet the real Santas

With chubby cheeks and a pot belly,Rahul Singh Kamboj fits Santa’s shoes perfectly. A hotel management graduate from Chandigarh,Singh got married this week and “wants to make his wife a happy Mrs Santa”. That’s the reason he took the job voluntarily,he says. Earning about Rs 3,50,000 per annum,Singh is an assistant manager at Hotel Toy and will be singing carols on the occasion. “Religion is no bar,I have friends from all communities and we often share notes and sing songs of different Gods,” says this 29-year-old.

Omar Benitez

Originally from Mexico,Omar Benitez has been in Chandigarh for the last one year. He is the Head of Faculty,Raffles Millennium International. Posing as Santa here,“It is a time to relive old memories. For back in my college days,I used to play Santa with friends and family. My sister used to quietly enjoy Christmas.” He says that though he’s unmarried,he loves children a lot and has brought chocolates for them. “It’s something that I can do for the whole Christmas week,” signs of this 33-year-old who earns “a handsome salary and plays Santa for fun”.

Sameer Kullu

Twenty-five years old,Sameer Kullu has been posing as Santa Claus for the last seven years. Originally from Jharkhand,he shifted to Chandigarh with his parents and two brothers and became a music teacher. Earning about 15,000 a month,he does not charge for playing Santa. “Making children happy gives me eternal happiness,” he says. Though he’s not married yet,he’d love to tell stories of his “Santa days” to his children. “”From the time when people come to take an autograph,to when they come and hug you and take pictures of you,it’s a lot of fun,” says Kullu.

Vikas Kaura

Born and brought up in Chandigarh,Vikas Kaura has completed Class XII and is working as an event manager. Earning about 4,500 a month,“I get Rs 1,000 to pose as Santa for a day,” says this 22-year-old. A bachelor,“I played Santa last year too,” he says. Then his brother had come all the way from his village to see him dressed like Santa. “This,as my nephews asked for gifts of their choice,” says Kaura.