Hyderabad: Telangana State Wakf Board, Chairman Mohammed Saleem flagged off the first special vehicle with gift packs, as part of Christmas celebrations on Wednesday. According to officials, the Telangana State Minority Welfare Department also distributed cheques to the 295 identified Churches for the celebration of Christmas. A cheque of Rs 1 lakh is being given to each of the 200 Churches under GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) by the department. While cheques of Rs 2 lakh to 95 Churches in other districts of Telangana on the occasion of Christmas celebration were also handed over to by authorities in respective districts.

It may be mentioned here that GHMC has decided to distribute one lakh gift packs, besides hosting of dinner for poor Christians 200 churches under its limits before Christmas. As part of this process, the local Corporator will identify one church in the respective division, local MLAs will identify two locations in their Assembly constituencies for arranging the Christmas celebrations. At every location, 500 Christmas gift packs will be distributed and the Christmas feast will be arranged.

Local Deputy Municipal Commissioners of GHMC will identify the venue for organising the Christmas feast in coordination with the local corporator and church representatives. The gift pack will consist of a suiting, shirting, one saree and one salwar kameez. The Christmas feast will be arranged for 500 persons at every location and the menu includes biryani and sweet cake. Top priority will be accorded to physically challenged, widows, orphans and others in distribution of Christmas gift packs.