Float spreads message of Christmas joy in Pune

For the fifth straight year, an all-community float with the theme, ‘Jesus is born for all’ was taken across the eastern suburbs of the city  on Tuesday evening by St Patrick’s Cathedral parish.

The float, placed on a truck had 50 participants. The truck is loaned every year to the Cathedral by a Mumbai-based Hindu businessman.

The group sang and danced on the float wearing Santa caps. The children were dressed in costumes depicting different states of India. The group sang and enacted the song, ‘Ray of Hope’, while a man dressed as Santa distributed sweets to passers-by.

One of the participants, Sudeep Saini told DNA, “I love working with the float as it is lot of fun.”

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Rector, Father Malcolm, told DNA on Wednesday, “The float is organised every year to extend the mood of Christmas and communicate Jesus’ message of peace, happiness and harmony to all communities.”

Bishop Emeritus of Pune, Rt Rev Valerian D’souza blessed the float, while Bishop of Pune, Rt Rev Thomas Dabre addressed the participants.