KCR orders official celebration of Christmas

Telangana Government has decided to celebrate Christmas at the official level on par with Ramzan, Bathukamma and Bonalu festivals.

The decision was taken during a review meeting held by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao with the senior officials at the State Secretariat on Friday. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Principal Secretary CMO Narsing Rao, ACB Director General and Chairman of Review Committee on Minorities' Schemes A.K. Khan, Special Secretary Minorities Welfare Department Syed Omer Jaleel and other senior officials.

Addressing the meeting, Kcr said that the government intends to give equal importance to all religions and therefore, the festival of Christmas should be celebrated at the official level just like other festivals. Therefore, clothes will be distributed among two lakh poor Christians and lunch would be hosted in all Churches on December 20. This programme will be held in 100 churches in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and 95 churches in other parts of the State. Clothes will be distributed in the selected 195 churches.

Senior IAS officer Raymond Peter and AK Khan will soon hold a meeting with the religious leaders of Christian community.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister directed the officials to finalise the proposals for setting up 60 Gurukul schools for minorities by November 20. He said all the proposed schools should become functional from next academic year.