Christmas is a festival of joy and togetherness, a time to celebrate the spirit of giving. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to be part of the grandeur of the festival. For many children in Kolkata, life comes with challenges, yet they manage to find happiness in the simplest and smallest of things. My Kolkata spoke to several such children across the city to learn about their Christmas plans and how they make most of the special day.
A party with pocket money and games
In Kudghat, 11-year-old Girish has been saving his daily allowance of Rs 5 to organise a Christmas party with his friends. A Class IV student at Merry Home School in Kudghat, Girish dreams of becoming an IPS officer.
Despite limited means, Girish is excited and determined to share the joyous spirit with his friends.
I did not have any special Christmas last year, as there was no celebration. I just made a Santa Claus drawing and wrote ‘Happy Christmas Tree, Santa is gift’ on it. This year, me and my friends have decided to collect money and throw a party of our own. I get Rs 5 every day from my father as pocket money and I have been saving up from that for the party. We will have Thums Up, cake and chips at the party. I live with my parents and elder brother. My parents sell vegetables for a living. I like spending time with my friends besides playing badminton and hide-and-seek. I like playing more than studying.
Girish Kumar Gupta
A cake, stockings on window and dream of AI engineering
Khushi, 10, from Taramani Ghat Road, dreams of becoming an AI engineer and takes her studies seriously. On Christmas, Khushi also plans to meet her friends at her computer class.
I study in Nripendra Nath Girls’ High School in Class VII and I live with my elder sister, younger brother and my parents. I often have fights with my younger brother at home over toys and different things. My father is a rickshaw-puller. I also put stockings on my window grille to get chocolates but I know my father fills them up.
Khushi Roy
Dancing in the holidays
Dipak, 10, plans to balance his studies with festive fun this Christmas. A Class II student, Dipak aspires to be a police officer and enjoys studying English.
This Christmas, I’ll draw Santa Claus and reindeer with my friends and then go to my dance class. My friends Khushi, Phugi, and Krishna are my dance partners. I stay with my parents and a younger brother. At times, I fight with my brother at home. My father is a driver and my mother is a homemaker
Dipak Roy
Sketching an Xmas tree and relishing food
For 10-year-old Rittik, Christmas is less about lavish celebrations and more about spending time with his friends.
I live in the Pearabagan area with my parents and four elder brothers,” said the Class IV student at Ranikuthi Hindi School who dreams of becoming a policeman some day. “My mother is a homemaker and my father is a driver. To me, Christmas is all about spending time with my friends, there is no such celebration as in my house. I remember enjoying a party with my friends last Christmas where we ate chips and biscuits. This year, I will make a Christmas tree drawing at home, then I will play with my friends and have food with my family
Rittik Roy
Decorations and aspiring salon owner
Saraswati, 11, from Itkhola, loves playing and hopes to own her own salon one day.
Last year at Christmas, my Ma’am’s brother dressed up as Santa and gave us gifts. He gave me a blanket, a bowl, a bucket and a toy as a Christmas gift. I also had a party with my friends where we went out and had a roll at a nearby shop. This year, I have asked my father to get lights so that I can decorate my house and I will also go out with my brother who is 13 years old. I study at Rashtriya Hindi G.S.F.P School. I live with my elder brother, younger sister and my parents. My father works in a salon and my mother is a homemaker. I wish to have my own parlour some day. My father said he will teach me parlour work once I turn 13. I want to learn about facial and hair styling
Saraswati Thakur
Cake plans for little Maradona
Thirteen-year-old Amit from Goabagan Lane loves playing football. A student of Jaiswal Vidya Mandir, Amit dreams of joining the police force.
Last Christmas, we played football at the park, and my father brought a cake home. This year, we’ll play games like hide-and-seek and cut a cake with everyone in the locality. My mothers works at home and my father is a factory worker. I like studying Hindi grammar and maths
Amit Das
A house filled with lights and love
Thirteen-year-old Kajal, who lives near Banerjee Para Road in Kudghat, fondly recalls last Christmas when her father brought a cake that she and her brothers cut together. This year, Kajal plans to make the day special in her own way.
A student of Class VII at Nripendra Nath Girls' High School, Kajal dreams of becoming an IAS officer some day.
I will study in the morning and decorate my house with lights and tinsel balls in the evening. I will also help my mother make rice and chokha as I have a holiday on that day. I stay with my parents and two younger brothers. My father is a watchman and my mother is a homemaker. My favourite subject is Hindi. I also like dancing to Bollywood music and spending time with my dad
Kajal Roy
Small contributions, big celebrations
Rohan, 11, is ready to pitch in for his Christmas celebrations. A Class IV student, Rohan cherishes his simple joys and plans to make this Christmas a memorable one.
I’ll help my mother in the kitchen and contribute Rs 20 to my friends’ fund. If we collect enough, we’ll buy a cake; otherwise, we’ll get chips and cold drinks. I live with my mother and elder brother in a slum on Sahitya Parishad Street. I study in Bhabataran Sarkar Bidyalaya. My mother works at people’s homes to run the house. I assist my mother in doing household chores whenever she needs any kind of help
Lighting up Hatibagan and govt job dreams
Ishan, 12, from Hatibagan, spends five hours a day studying with hopes of securing a government job.