---------------------------------------------------------- ***** CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2002 *****
Dec 21 - GOA-LA, Los Angeles, +1 (714) 821-6168 Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a free party announcement Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ---------------------------------------------------------- Knock, knock, Santa Claus here to deliver mail By Krittivas Mukherjee, Indo-Asian News Service Kolkata, Dec 23 (IANS) This Christmas, Santa Claus has been delivering postal packets and mails in several hill villages of West Bengal. Postal officials hit upon the idea of dressing some postmen like Santa, complete with a red robe, red cap, a glowing white beard and a cheerful disposition, to increase business in the festive month in which millions of Christmas cards and cakes are sent and received. So postman Santa Claus goes delivering mailers in his inimitable style and the loud "Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas" greeting. "This Christmas, Santa is delivering festive cards, cakes and gift packets for four days from January 22 between 6 p.m. and midnight," says John Samuel, postmaster general, north Bengal and Sikkim circle. For the role, preference has been given to rotund employees. They put on their dress and makeup at office and set off to make the deliveries. These Santa Clauses don't travel on reindeer sleighs, but mostly use smart motorbikes. "We hope to do good business these four days as the Darjeeling hills has a sizeable Christian population. We hope this venture will prompt parents to surprise their children at midnight with gifts and cakes," Samuel says. The charges for delivering a card are Rs.20 and a cake is Rs.50. The sender can also order a cake of his choice with the postal department. All deliveries will be made on the same day as the bookings. The postal department is making this novel effort to increase business, which is facing stiff competition from courier companies. "We need to make people come to the postal department. They have to be attracted in new ways," Samuel explains. Depending on the scheme's success, the north Bengal and Sikkim circle will decide on extending it beyond the Darjeeling head post office zone. --Indo-Asian News Service ======================================================================== Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com Dec 19-22: Gauri Divan's studio pottery, Rust, Aguada Rd Ph 2479340 Dec 23-Jan 7: Dayanita Singh's photo exhibition, Art House Tel 2276123 Jan 18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem ========================================================================
