NEW DELHI: Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries graced the “National Christmas celebrations” here on Tuesday in a solemn function amid Christmas carols, prayer, Bible reading and other programmes.
Host Vincent H Pala, former Union Minister and MP from Shillong, welcomed the gathering. The evening began with a song from Serenity Choir, Shillong which was followed by Bible reading and prayer.
A little later, the Prime Minister arrived following which the cake cutting ceremony was held. While the Prime Minister was received by Congress leader Francisco Sardhinha, Pala welcomed the UPA Chairperson.
The open lawns and halls of the Constitution Club were decorated with lights, candles, cakes and pine trees.
Speaker Meira Kumar, ex-cricketer Md Azharuddin, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Sindhe, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering aong with several prominent persons including Union Ministers, Ambassadors and Church leaders from the national capital attended the celebrations.
The Prime Minister, in a brief message, said that celebration of the festival by people across religious lines shows the unity in diversity in India.
