Cakeless days

I was born into a Christian family. As a child, I used to hate Good Friday, the day of crucifixion. There were no new clothes, plum cakes ...

I was born into a Christian family. As a child, I used to hate Good Friday, the day of crucifixion. There were no new clothes, plum cakes or gifts. The worst was the three-hour church service in the afternoon for which I was dragged. I found it absolutely dull and boring. As I grew up, I began skipping it, for a delightful afternoon of a thrilling game of football or kite flying. Once parents were back from the church, it was a routine evening. There were no goodies for dinner. The message was clear that Good Friday, which follows 40 days of Lent, was observed, not celebrated.

We had hundreds of Muslim family friends. Quite faithfully, they observed Ramzan. At the time of Iftar in the evening, we often used to go to their houses. It was more of a casual visit than a party. Today it beats me hollow when I find hoards of Iftar parties being organised by various political leaders and social climbers. I wonder whether Ramzan Lent for Christians is actually observed or celebrated.

Once a young intern, during my stay in a national daily, took some time to understand that Good Friday was not celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervor. Nor do the people from other communities hug their Christian brethrenon the occasion. But the other day I saw a photo in an English national daily which showed some soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir carrying a banner, greeting their Muslim colleagues, Happy Ramzan8217;. The caption to the picture reattributed the sentiment.

I am told modern Iftar parties8217; are organised more to hob nob and appease the Muslims. It has nothing to do with religion. But then why can8217;t similar parties be organised on Christmas? For that one does not have to wait for the evening Iftar, it can be organised any time of the day. With insurgency in the Christian-dominated Northeast increasing, this is the right time for appeasement. The biggest advantage of a Christmas party over Iftar is that there are no rozas fasting involved. Not that modern day Iftaris observe any roza except for an occasional day of fasting at Jantar Mantar. The art of giving, the real meaning of Iftar, has in the process long been forgotten.

The only known Christmas celebrations, involving politicians, in Delhi are the annual ritual of carol singing by children at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and a get-together by P.A. Sangma. In the year of Yesu Krist Jayanti what could be a more appropriate time than this to organise Christmas celebrations. After all the Christian community which suffered due to alleged church burning in some parts of the country surely needs appeasement.

At least with Sonia Gandhi as their leader, Congress members can take the lead. Or is the party not decided yet whom to invite 8212; only Roman Catholics or also the Protestants or even Dalits and followers of the proposed Swadeshi Church.

Christmas is just two days away. The magi are following the star over the Raisina Hill. In fact they have been following it now for many years. But instead of Boy in the Manger they have always ended up with a dog in the manger. The search for the saviour is still on.

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Incidentally the man in the manger this year, in modern parlance we can call it Parliament, was also born on Christmas Day. But so far he has not proved a saviour. What with non-functioning of Parliament, the honourable members can officially go partying for Christmas. One can wait for the glad tiding till eternity.