Come all,ye faithful!

Amidst the distinctive blend of reds and whites,what emerges is a grander cause for celebration. When 23-year-old Vinay Manj returns from work to join his team members at the Bootee Street to prepare for the December 25 celebrations,it feels like a little victory of faith and oneness. Manj and his fellow members are a part of the Shivtej Mitra Mandal,that celebrates Ganeshotsav every year in its full glory and fanfare. And they try to bring in the same enthusiasm to the Christmas celebrations.

The 50-year-old organisation in fact is not new to these festivities. Says Manj,“We have been celebrating Christmas since the time this organisation came into existence. The only difference is that earlier there were a lot of Catholics and only a few of us. Today it is a different scene,but the feelings are the same.” The celebrations were first conducted by an arm of the Mandal called the Young Christian Boys. “This is like a tradition for us and is very close to our heart,” says Mukesh Pehlwan,president of the Shivtej Mitra Mandal,as he shows the huge lamp that is set to be a part of the decorations. An interesting reason why the mandals have taken it upon themselves to continue the celebrations is that the Catholic population migrated out of the area into suburbs like Fatima Nagar,Aundh,and Wanowrie,thereby creating a huge vortex,which is being continually filled in by these groups.

And while the entire Bootee Street looks ready to celebrate,the splendour of the festivity has even caught on at Dastur Meher Road. One look at the street and you know that it is Christmas time. Headed by Ashok Pawar,the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal,which is a 107-year-old organisation,has been celebrating Christmas in the same manner as the Ganeshotsav. As one walks further into these narrow lanes,amongst the constant cacophony of vehicles,pedestrians and even cattle,the celebrations come alive. Just down the road from this street,one spots a group working hard. The stage is set and the crib is ready to be put up. “We work till late during the last couple of days leading up to Christmas. In fact,our work goes on till the wee morning hours,” says Yogesh Ahir,who heads the Young Christian Association (YCA). The group which has more than 50 people is also about 50 years old. “What has changed in all these years is the number of Christians attached to it. As the city expanded,people moved and today the community is quite spread out. But the YCA has many non-Christians who celebrate the festival with equal warmth and cheer,” he adds.

As one leaves behind this little corner of goodwill,one can’t help but cherish the spirit that the city is blessed with.