Pune: Pune’s first live floats rally-cum-competition depicting the birth of Jesus Christ will be taken out at 4 pm on December 22.
This was revealed by Peter D’Cruz of Shalom Christian Association during a media interaction at Patrakar Bhavan on Tuesday.
“We want to spread the message of love, peace, unity and harmony as well as environment awareness through this rally,” said D’Cruz.
Various churches from the city as well as the district are expected to participate in the rally. Around 25,000 spectators are anticipated. The city traffic police assisted by the Police Mitra Sanghatana (Police Friends Association) and Shalom Christian Association volunteers will manage the traffic throughout the rally.
The Santa Claus competition, open to all Puneites, will be conducted on MG Road during the rally. A qualified judging panel will evaluate factors such as liveliness, spreading social awareness on health and environment (‘Lean’ and ‘Green’ Santa), dress, interaction with spectators, etc.
Three school bands will perform and social awareness programmes will be organised on MG Road by Don Bosco School, Yerawada; Moledina Technical High School, Shankarsheth Road and Crescent School, Mukund Nagar. Other attractions include live carol singing, drum display by 10-year-old wonder boy Malhar Mane and a group dance on Jesus Christ’s birth.
The prize distribution ceremony for floats and Santa Claus competition will be conducted at the end of the rally at City Church, Quarter Gate Chowk.
The designated route of the rally is Bishop House, St Patrick’s Cathedral (start), Race Course Road, Solapur Road, Fatima Nagar, Jagtap Chowk, Samvidhan Chowk, Raheja Garden, Netaji Nagar, Lulla Nagar Chowk, CTC, Golibar Maidan Chowk, Hotel Tryluck Chowk, Kohinoor Chowk, MG Road, Aurora Towers Chowk, Bootee Street, Gavaliwada, Hotel Majestic and Christ Church street and City Church and Quarter Gate Chowk (end).
Father Wilfred Fernandes, working with Prison Ministry of India, said a float of the ministry will also participate in the rally. A half-marathon and shorter run events with the theme ‘You Are Not Alone’ will be conducted on January 13.
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