Post floods, Xmas celebrations a low-key affair in Valley

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 25

As the recent floods had caused massive damage to properties, the Christians here celebrated Christmas in a subdued manner today.

Even the Holy Family Catholic Church on the Maulana Azad Road, where the main Christmas prayers are traditionally held, had been badly damaged by the floods.

Father Mathew Thomas, who led the prayers at a hall on the premises of the Holy Family Catholic Church, said Christmas celebrations remained low-key mainly due to the floods.

He said members of the Christian community had suffered heavy losses during the floods and the Holy Family Catholic Church too had not been restored fully and that was why prayers were held at a hall. He said they had only held ‘simple prayers’.

Meanwhile, a few members of the Muslim community too were seen on the church premises to extend Christmas greetings to Christians. A person dressed as Santa Claus was seen distributing sweets to children on the church premises.

As the weather conditions have remained dry so far with Srinagar city yet to receive the winter season’s first snowfall, a few people said they missed celebrating a white Christmas this year.