New Delhi: Federal Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Tuesday celebrated Christmas with some 150 top Christian leaders at his official residence in New Delhi.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, flew down from Mumbai to attend the Christmas festivities as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Jaitley, who also holds the Information and Broadcasting portfolio, said that the Christmas’ message of peace and joy is of universal relevance.
The Christmas program was held a day after Jaitley celebrated his 63rd birthday in a simple way with his family members.
Earlier, an English newspaper had hinted the likelihood of Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropping in at the Christmas get together. However, neither Modi nor other top leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party) turned up.
Jaitley with Church leaders
Some said the Christmas program was part of the BJP plan to woo Christians ahead of assembly elections to Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
However, Jaitley told the Deepika newspaper that the program was his own initiative as he is a product of a Christian school and that he considers Christians as his own.
Jaitley is a former student of Jesuit-managed St Xavier’s School in Old Delhi. He had sent special invitation to Jesuits, especially his principal Fr Tom V Kunnunkal, a renowned educationist.
The Christmas program started with carol singing, followed by cake cutting by Cardinal Gracias who also delivered Christmas message.
Most invitees were Christian officials and media persons living in the national capital. Heads of various Churches also attended the program that ended with a high tea.