Santa Claus brought festive joy to a group of children undergoing cancer treatment in New Town, visiting them with music, gifts, and good wishes.

On Wednesday, a Christmas carnival was organised at Premashraya, a residential facility for cancer patients undergoing treatment at Tata Medical Center.

An eight-month-old boy, undergoing treatment for retinoblastoma (eye cancer), was swaying to the music in his father’s arms.

A 12-year-old girl from Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas has been battling osteogenic sarcoma (cancer in the bones). She has undergone surgery to remove a tumour from her left leg and now moves around in a wheelchair. On Wednesday, she “danced” with her hands sitting in the wheelchair.

“She already has had 16 rounds of chemotherapy and two more rounds are left. She has been missing school and her friends for some months now. But on Wednesday we could see she was enjoying herself,” said her father, a fisherman.

Since April, he has been in Calcutta with his daughter for her treatment. “I have been unable to earn but the villagers have collected money and given it to me so that my daughter can undergo treatment,” he said.

Many others are fighting leukaemia. The patients are undergoing subsidised treatment at the hospital and the residential facility provides them with free food and a place to stay during treatment.

While music and games kept them engrossed, the photo op corner had a long queue. Most of the children were eager to get clicked.

The Christmas Carnival is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Calcutta Visionaries, which has been organising the event at Premashraya for eight years.

The group included about 60 children and some adults as well.

“This is a festive season but many of our children or adults cannot go to crowded places because of their compromised immunity. So, the idea is to help them relax a little while they are still here,” said Sudeshna Dutt, head of operations, Premashraya.

Most of the patients staying at the residential facility are from families who are struggling financially to make ends meet.

“Many families cannot afford to celebrate Christmas, so we bring the celebration to them. Seeing them smile and happy is truly rewarding,” said Vidhi Chandak, treasurer and chairperson, cancer committee, Rotary Club of Calcutta Visionaries.

“There are many who will recover and go back home. And the idea is to reinforce them with positive thoughts at a time when negative emotions can be overwhelming,” said Dutt.

Pankaj Chitlangia, president, Rotary Club of Calcutta Visionaries, said the purpose of the programme was to “lift their spirits”.

“Together we spread love and create greater energy for all of them who are such brave people.”