HAPPENING -- 18: 

WHEN ELITE VISITORS CLAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY POOR CHILDREN

By P S SUNDAR 

 

Christmas celebrations at the star-studded Gateway Hotel of the Taj group in Coonoor gained value-addition with children from poor economic background making the elite visitors from various places clap with loud applause for their captivating Christmas Carols.

 Felix Marshal, music teacher who trained these children, told me, “We gave a musical presentation on the Birth of Jesus marking the Christmas.  The children gave the narration besides singing Carols”.

While six boys of the Government-aided St Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, took the front stage singing, two 9-year-old kids – Pradhiksha and Melchior – supported with mesmerising keyboard presentation.

“This is an attempt to provide opportunity to children from marginalised section of the society to enjoy not only the Christmas festivities but the centre-stage amidst an elite audience”, said Cluster General manager Ritesh Choudhary who honoured each with gifts.

Food and Beverage Manager Bala Murugan ensured that these children enjoyed the same lavish Christmas-eve dinner as the guests.

Moved by all these, a student D Antony Joseph said, “My father is a mason and my mother is homemaker.  We cannot imagine being in such five-star ambience”.

Another student Saharish Emmanuel said, “My father is a driver.  The experience I enjoy now is unimaginable for us in the family.  But, this gives me a motivation to study well and occupy good position in life like the guests who enjoyed our presentation”.   

A visitor from Karnataka said that programme was not only enjoyable but added value to the festivities.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)