Long X-Mas weekend offers a welcome break to Raipurites

As Christmas happened to fall on a Friday this year, many Raipurites rejoiced with the idea of getting a long weekend. With cosy winters providing a lazy atmosphere, Raipurites are happy to get an extra day off from work and college to do their favourite things.
Before heading off to a long vacation, Nitesh Singh, a young entrepreneur, says, “Since, December 25, 26 and 27 are consecutive official holidays and New Year is also approaching, we have planned a road trip to Goa.We’ll be leaving on December 25 and the vacation will extend till the first week of January as we also have December 31 and January 1 off. The trip is going to be a great fun and I’m very excited to enjoy this time with my family.”
For others too, a long weekend means respite from the regular routine and a getaway to tourist places in the winters. Swati Kumari, a government employee, who is on a week long holiday with her family to Rajasthan, says, “While chalking out dates for holidays, I always look for weekends coupled with an official festival off, and since December is the best time to go out, we planned it for this week, well in advance. Even my children have their winter vacations at school, so we’re relaxed.”
Family get-together, parties
Just like Nitesh, other youngsters have also made plans at the perfect time when the entire city and country revel in the spirit of festivity, celebration and holidays. Alisha Varghese, a second year medical student from Bhilai, shares her plan, “I’m going to make the most out of this long weekend. Having shopped for Christmas the previous week and after having fun on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas, I am going to unwind on Saturday and Sunday. We also have a small family post the routine Christmas get-together. Instead of just one day, the celebration will continue for three days now.”
Deepalpriya Bennett, a third year BPharm student, is particularly excited this year. She says “This year on Christmas, we decided to make it extra special, as we have been recently blessed with a new baby in our family, doubling our joy and celebration. On weekend, there will be a blessing shower ceremony for the baby and mother along with the mandatory Christmas party. The entire weekend will be full of happiness, with celebrations to welcome both the baby and Jesus Christ to our home.”
Hostel students pack their bags
For the hostel students, who always look for an opportunity to visit home, this weekend offers a relief from boring mess ka khana and strict in-times. Vaibhavi Agrawal, a first year hostelite, says, “I just joined hostel, for the first time in my life, in August. I’m so home-sick that I always look for chances to go home. New Year will be definitely with college friends, but since Friday and Sunday are holidays with a Saturday as a half-day, I decided to ditch the two lectures happening on Saturday and go home instead.”
While the freshers are mostly going home, final year students are sticking to their friends’ circle for New Year party plans. Kanak Jindal, a final year engineering student, says, “This is our last year in college and the last chance to enjoy with friends. With exams approaching, our plan is to celebrate this weekend. We are going to a friend’s farmhouse for a party followed by a road trip to Kanha Kisli National Park.”
X-Mas for the less-privileged
Rajni Ekka, who works for an NGO, has planned something special. She says, “I will make this weekend special with someone who doesn’t get the opportunity to celebrate Christmas otherwise. Dressed up like Santa, I have a bag full of gifts, chocolates and cup cakes for street children and children living in slum areas.”
Other Church groups and youngsters in the city are doing charity work, spreading Christ’s message of love, happiness and peace for all. People are also including the prisoners in jail in the grand celebrations and distributing sweets and gifts to the needy.