West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the 5th edition of the Kolkata Christmas Festival at Allen Park in the Park Street in the presence of Archbishop Thomas D’Souza and Bishop Ashoke Biswas. Eminent members of the Christian community along with State tourism minister Bratya Basu were present on the occasion.
During her short address, WB CM laid stress on growing intolerance in India. “We ask Lord Jesus to give us tolerance. We may not like someone or something but we cannot disrespect them,” she said.
“We are one. India is a country of unity in diversity. Swami Vivekananda said unity is strength, divided we fall,” the Chief Minister added.
“May Jesus Christ be our guiding star in this era of intolerance,” said while concluding her speech.
Bigger festival this year
The Kolkata Christmas Festival will continue till January 2 this season instead of December 25. Not just that, the festival venue has also undergone an expansion of sorts with the Christmas and New Year theme lighting that decks up a section of Park Street now being extended to Chowringhee as well.
While the decorative lights were installed between Park Street-Chowringhee intersection and Allen Park, this year it will extend till Mullick Bazar to the east and continue along Chowringhee till St Paul’s Cathedral to the west.
Cultural fest at Park Street
During the festival, popular city bands will per form at Allen Park in the evenings. To share the `Spirit of Christmas’, special choir performances will be held till Christmas day . Kolkata Police and Army bands will also perform at the venue.
On December 20, Sunday , school students will participate in a Christmas parade on Park Street. Cars and bikes will not be allowed on the street during the parade scheduled between 10am and noon. Also, cars will not be allowed on the street on Christmas day to encourage pedestrians.
Food, a big draw at past editions of the festival, will continue to be the crowd-puller with 40 stalls set up along Park Street to serve delicacies from various communities, including cakes, decorations and other Christmas goodies.