Tiny Mizo community to celebrate Christmas

Mumbai, Dec 24 (UNI) Tucked away among city's millions, the 200 strong predominantly Christian Mizo community plans to celebrate their biggest festival with all pomp and gaiety.

''There are only about 200 of us in the city including students, government officials and professionals,'' said Salvation Army's Lt Col Lalramhlun, one of the 'old timers' living here with his family for the past five years.

The community, which has formed the Bombay Mizo Christian Fellowship (BMCF), will hold a Christmas service in Mizo tomorrow at 'Mizoram House', Parel, followed by a string of hearty carols and hymns and then a feast comprising fusion ethnic Mizo dishes like steamed chicken, vegetable broth and the more familiar assortment of curries.

The celebrations will conclude with an evening service comprising sermons and singing including an item by the BMFC choir that has earned a reputation among the various Churches of the city.

With hectic schedules and many living in far-flung suburbs, Christmas is an opportune time for friends to meet and catch up with news and gossips.

For Rossi Lawma, a first year student at JJ's, its a chance to meet up with friends studying in other institutions and also getting to know the new comers among the opposite sex. ''Though I have made some good friends at JJ, I do miss the Mizo food and interacting with my own Mizo friends especially the girls,'' he said.

UNI