The British Asian community, an integral part of this country, celebrates Christmas with the same spirit and enthusiam as they enjoy Diwali or Vaisakhi or even Eid. Growing up, in schools, children automatically become a part of the culture and festival, that shapes their individual identity later. From trees to greeting cards to presents to naitivity plays, Asian people of all ages celebrate Christmas as a festival of their own. Of course in India, which is a home to 24 million Christians, Christmas is a big affair too. In Britain, similarly many minority communities, especially Indians celebrate Christmas with full fervour- pomp and gaiety.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Debasree Breen Ghosh, described how Christmas is celebrated in their household. “We do tree, wreath, presents, stocking, carols, the turkey, sprouts- everything. Of course two out of three (husband and daughter) of us are Catholic. But it's more of a cultural celebratory 'spirit of the season' thing for us than religious.”
Bharat Vaswani, said, “I call it Jesu Pooja. We celebrate Christmas as much as we do Diwali. We have a wreath and a Christmas tree all lit up. But then one half of us (my wife) is a Christian! Having said that I think Christmas is a wonderful and a beautiful event to celebrate. In the end it means we are celebrating the beginnings of good tidings.”
Suchira Ray, lawyer by profession has also lived at several places in India, told the newspaper, “I do Christmas as well as any Christian. Midnight mass, Naouhms brownies, cheesy decorations, Christmas lunch at The Only Place. I have celebrated grandly wherever I have been. In the past five years have celebrated in Stuttgart, Bangalore, Calcutta and London.”
Prabhakar Kaza, an eminent personality from the Brit-Telegu community said, “We used to have Christmas tree when Aaditya (my son) was young. Now that he is grown up we have to wait for next generation. We keep Jesus Christ and Mary in our Dussera (Gollu) at home. We go to St Albans Cathedral for Christmas eve midnight Mass, every year.”
Sheetal Gaur, told Asian Voice, “We do a tree every year, light up our house, have a get together at our place with some family and friends and buy lots of presents too.”
Diana Suja Madanraj, a Brit-Indian doctor from Liverpool, who now lives in New Zealand, told Asian Voice, “I love Christmas and go all out, but then of course I'm Christian so it's perhaps expected.”
Deepa Sugathan, a solicitor, who runs her own City law firm with Partners, is married to Mathew Philip. She told Asian Voice, “My son Ryan waits for Christmas the whole year. We start with Advent Calender (elf delivers it on 30 NOvember with Santa's letter confirming if Ryan has been on the Nice or Naughty list). Every day little treats come in till the big one on Christmas eve from the Northpole itself. Since Santa doesn't come through Chinmey these days, we leave the key and cookie next to the tree. Wreath, tree, lights and family lunch with my sister and friends- we do it all. That day my husband and brother-in-law cooks the roast. Ofcourse there is lots of wine, and I forgot to mention we almost make it to the midnight Mass.”
However for Pratik Dattani, Christmas means the new episode of Doctor Who is out, but for Titli Datta, it means the next Aamir Khan movie will be releasing.
Although the spirit of Christmas also stands for charity and compassion for the 'have nots', sadly it has been overtaken by extreme commercialism in recent years. Nevertheless, with the lit up trees and streets, German markets, carols, marshmellows and Santa Clause with his many grottos across towns – Christmas is indeed the favourite celebration for all.
