CHRISTMAS TWO LST

Tourists and locals joined the festivities in the
North East, home to a large number of Christians.
Meghalaya was decked up for Christmas and the
forthcoming New Year celebrations with government and
private buildings as well as street corners illuminated and
decorated with Christmas trees, banners and festoons.
Special programmes including traditional Christmas
carols and colourful processions rendered the air festive.
Individual artistes and gospel bands enthralled the
crowds with traditional Christmas songs like “Jingle Bells”,
“Oh Holy Night” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”.
Hectic last minute shopping and nightlong concerts
marked the Christmas Eve. Commercial hubs of Shillong were
crowded with people buying clothes, foodstuff and other
Christmas items.
Long queues were seen in front of the prominent
bakeries in Shillong selling ‘designer’ cakes.
Known for attractive illumination during Christmas and
New Year, the Garo Hills too was agog with festivity.
Arch Bishop Dominic Jala said, "This is a festival
which allows people to come together as it marks the coming of
Christ into this world. Christmas symbolizes peace and
prosperity among mankind and people should work for the
benefit and welfare of humanity."
In Nagaland, people were seen thronging the churches
of different denominations in their best attire to attend the
morning services.
With churches decorated colourfully with bright lights
and scenes of nativity, the festival spirit gripped the state
with parties and celebrations. PTI