HOUSTON, TX (TIP):  Houston’s one and only Indian Christmas celebration was hosted last Saturday, December 16, at the Stafford Civic Center.

This year it was a sold-out event and as always, the auditorium was packed, and the audiences were treated to an awe-inspiring program by the Houston Indian Fellowship team.

The Houston Indian Fellowship (HIF), a group of Indians from across the metropolitan Houston area, conduct an annual Christmas Celebration to share with joy and cheer, the true meaning of Christmas to Houstonians from different walks of faith, religion, and social status.  This year during the Christmas event HIF conducted spelling bee competition in addition to the usual painting competition.

The admission for the event was free, and it was followed by complimentary dinner for all the attendees.  The dinner was catered by Amma’s Kitchen.

HIF, by hosting events like these, strives to bring Christmas cheer to people from different faiths and regions of India.

The MCs Sharon Samuel and John Jeevarajan hosted this year’s event with elegance. They were engaging, entertaining, and kept the audience feeling at home.

Dr. Robello Samuel, President of HIF kicked off this year’s event with a welcome speech and spoke briefly about the history of Hamara Desi Christmas.

This year’s celebration included a variety of dances from different parts of India, all presented professionally to an awestruck audience.

This year HIF also introduced their very own production ‘The Birth of A Savior’ A screen and staged play retelling the life of Jesus, from His birth to resurrection.

The stage was overflowing with vibrant colors as costumes from different parts of India were used for the variety of dances enriching and bringing to life our very own culture several thousand miles away.

Deepak Israel, Secretary of Houston Indian Fellowship awarded the winners of the painting competition. Dr. Sushma of Spring Medical awarded the winners of Spelling bee competition. Tablets were given to the first prize winners in each category and the second prize winners were given a gift card.

Finally, the HIF children performed a Christmas Carol medley of Angels we have heard on high, Away in a manger, O come all ye faithful and Feliz Navi dad, as others in the audience joined Santa and the HIF team in wishing everyone a merry Christmas.

The audience was raving about the event. “Wow! This is the best organized Desi event I have been to in the Houston area! Well organized and well catered event. The programs were crisp, clear and very professional.”

Sheena Reuben, one of the coordinators of the event said “Christmas is the season of love, peace and Joy. Nothing gives us more joy than preparing for this Christmas event for the South Asian community in Houston. She further added that when we see that the audience thoroughly enjoy the show it gives us the reason to do better and more shows in the coming years.”

Deepak Israel, of HIF proudly stated, “This event brings an opportunity to bring our own south Asian culture to be enjoyed thousands of miles away here in Houston. With the help of the many volunteers we plan on bringing more competitions and dances to the event. More importantly it is a free event accessible for everyone, so we can all share the Christmas spirit with joy!”

Dr. Robello Samuel, of HIF, said “Seeing the spirit of Christmas freely shared with free food, dances, plays and competitions gives me great satisfaction as that is the whole idea behind the celebration!”

The University of Houston students along with several other families and friends helped behind the scenes activities– all of which helped make this celebration a memorable one. (Source: indoamerican-news.com)