CELEBRATION - 1::

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AMIDST CHILLNESS

BY P S SUNDAR

                      Braving dew-induced chillness, Christians attended midnight Christmas mass in Churches in Nilgiris on Wednesday night.

“It is cold but makes it comfortable to wear the best of suits for midnight mass”, octogenarian retired Air Force officer K D Starr told me. 

Visitors from USA, Europe and Japan joined Indians at Christmas celebrations at star hotels.

“Christmas ambience at Gateway Hotel Coonoor is cheerful with colour lights, attractive Crib and Santa Claus.  Although we cannot speak English fluently, Indians are making our Christmas memorable with smiling faces”, Yukinsan and Wakakao, visitors from Japan, said.  

“This Christmas is memorable for us because we are tasting authentic Nilgiri regional home-style dishes like ‘Avara Othukka’ famous in Badaga community homes”, Samantha George, visitor from London, said. 

“Chef Ramalingam shared with tourists menus of Christmas dishes while Ravindran’s magic show and Pacesetters’ Christmas Carols added value”, Gateway General Manager Muralidharan disclosed. 

Japanese visitors::

Chef Indira serving "Avara Othukka" she had prepared in Badaga community home-style::

'Pacesetters' presenting Christmas Carols -- Rishanth Mathew & Arpana in the lead::

Santa Claus entertaining the children::

R Goutham, 12th standard student and son of Magician V Ravindran, performing magic show::

And here is a portion of the Christmas decor -- the Crib::

Now,  a sample of vegetable carving done by Chef Ramalingam's team displayed at Christmas buffet dinner::