Mumbai: MBCCC Organized Mira-Bhayander Christmas Carol Carnival Kicks-off

News & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SB)

Mumbai, Dec 19: St Joseph Church, Mira Road presents Mira-Bhayander Christmas Carol Carnival on December 18, 19 and 20.

The celebration was inaugurated at the St Joseph Church, Sheetal Nagar here at Mira Road (west) under the leadership of Mira-Bhayander Christmas Carol Carnival Committee. The celebration has been organized for the first time in Mira-Bhayander.

The carnival was inaugurated by Malaika Appliances Private Limited working president and managing director Gilbert Baptist. St Joseph Church chief priest and committee director Fr Dominic Vas blessed the occasion and delivered the keynote address.

Assistant priests Fr Ivan D'Souza, Fr Deepak Thomas, Fr Michael M Shenoy, Fr Sunil Monis, carmelite brothers Paushik Parmar, Ajit nazareth, Nitesh Rodrigues, Canuno cardoza, daniel Christian and John Pinto, Marceline G baptist of Malaika, local councillor marline D'Sa, Konkani catholic Association president Violet Mascarenhas and Church Maintenance Committee president Johnson Saldanha were present. Rayan J D'Souza compered the programme.

Three tableaus with Christmas crib representing Jesus's birth place were led by a chariot driven by the effervescent Santaclaus.

A similar event in a small way was organized two decades ago and the flashback of that event has motivated the people of St Joseph Church, to come up with this Mega Christmas Carol Carnival. The theme for this year's Carol Carnival is Care for creation with the punch line as it stands, Santa Goes Green.

Free distribution of 1,000 basil saplings to all the housing societies in the vicinity of the Carnival Route shall be the order of the day, thus propagating the true spirit of Christmas coupled with the need for conservation of our precious natural resources, thereby contributing in our own small way to make our planet green.

In Mira-Bhayander itself, there are many institutions and NGO's who work for peace and harmony and
various groups from the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities organize these events periodically and it has been a very happy occasion for the people to take part in these events. St Joseph
Church, Mira Road is also one such august institution which caters to this need in a very proactive manner.

Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation, currently one of the fastest growing townships in India with a
population of over 12 lac is covered by the Mumbai Western Railway Suburban Rail Line, with two stations, viz. Mira Road and Bhayander. Its economic growth is led by the manufacturing and service industries.

Mira Road has seen very recently, extreme rapid development, with prominent Builders developing
exclusive Residential Complexes, with all the latest amenities. Its cosmopolitan, calm, quiet
surroundings and low pollution make it a desirable residential oasis, for the modern generation, wherein
the demography consists of a very healthy mix encompassing youth in great numbers, mainly due to the
fact that Mira Road being an economically affordable destination to the middle-income group, has given
all around, something to really cheer about for all the budget home seekers.

With all these good things existing and happening in Mira-Bhayander area, St. Joseph Church, Mira
Road is creating one more joyous occasion for the people of Mira-Bhayander in the festive season of
Christmas. This year St Joseph Church wants to celebrate the birth of Jesus along with people of
different faith in a great way and so with immense pride, this bustling suburb boasts of the single largest
Church (Parish) in the Archdiocese of Mumbai (Metropolitan Area) with approx 5,500+ Catholic families
shall witness the Christmas Carol Carnival, organized on a magnitude and scale never heard of, before.

Spearheading the show is Fr Dominic Vas with the active assistance of the vibrant Mira-Bhayander
Christmas Carol Carnival Committee (MBCCC). This Carnival has elegance and exuberance galore!
You can enjoy the drums rumble thru' the grounds and guitars' riff slash the air!! Feel the songs build the
tempo & lovely people swing to the festive music!!!

The event is specially held to spread the message of Peace to all the people through music, songs, and
dance. The event targets the audience from all age groups, children, youth and adults and so it will cover
a population of over 1.2 million and more. The event will be on the three days between 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Mira-Bhayander area.

The Carnival float will be led by a Santa Claus Chariot followed by three trucks having the Live Crib
(enactment of the Nativity scene), Speakers of 15000 watts, Choir Singers and Band and Dance
performers / Pom-Pom girls. Along with them will also be hundreds of Church Youth, dancing and
singing energetically to the glory of the festive event.

The floats will be going along various routes and will halt and perform at main junction spots like Maxus
Mall, Golden Nest Junction, Shivar Garden, Cinemax Theatre, GCC club, Jangid Junction, Shanti Park,
Mira Road Station, Jamal Masjid, Shrusti, Royal College, Poonam Sagar Complex, and others.