Christmas is here again! And with it comes all the joys of celebration. But what is the true meaning behind celebrating Christmas? Is it the lights all around, the gifts hanging from the tree, wishing cards from loved ones, lavish dinners with family and friends, the smell of plum cakes, exchanging of presents and shouts of “Merry Christmas”? Is this what Christmas really depicts?

While Christmas is a time of merry-making, for many, it is a time of sorrow. Wondering! Yes, because they can’t afford that extra money to buy gifts for their children, family and friends. Lavish dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for many. But this Christmas, the community of Art of Giving makes an effort to make wishes come true. In this pursuit, the volunteers of Art of Giving visits Saliyasai slum to distribute clothes, blankets, and toys to the children. The joy of the children was indescribable and the sight of their faces being lit up was a treat to the eyes.

Why should the one blessed with a fortune only own Santa? The AOG community sends a Santa in disguise to the Saliyasai slum to turn wishes into reality. The disguised Santa teamed up with Kompassions (the garment bank), an AOG Initiative that collects unused/ old and obsolete clothes from the households and make it available for the poor free of cost after reprocessing. The Santa distributed 500 processed clothes which were collected over a week by KIIT Hospitality to the children of Salayasi Slum. KIIT Hospitality Department took up this noble initiative which Raj Shekhar Laha (AOG Convener) helped to effectuate.

Art of Giving community has always worked towards spreading happiness, joy and smiles inspired by the selfless service of Dr Achyuta Samanta and his philosophy of giving. As we celebrate the season and look forward to the New Year, let us resolve to do even more to build a world that is a little more generous, humane and kind.