O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Saviour's birth,

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

The Yuletide spirit was palpable at the Leighlyn Fernandez memorial carol singing competition organised by the Danapur branch of the All-India Anglo-Indian Association at Don Bosco Academy on Sunday.

The carol competition was organised into three categories for both English and Hindi carols, and students from eight city schools - including host school Don Bosco Academy, Mount Carmel High School, St. Dominic Savio's High School and St. Michael's High School - participated with enthusiasm and sang carols like "Jesus is born today", "Merry Do You Know", "Cham Cham Chamakta" and "Charwahe Nache Jhumke". The Group A category comprised students from and under Class IV, while group B was for students of Class V to Class XII and Group C was for the teachers.

The spirit of Christmas was especially evident in the participants' coordinated outfits. Some wore red and white stripes, tuxedoes paired with red bowties, and a few were found wearing Santa hats.

Health minister Tej Pratap, the chief guest, added to the feeling of festivity when he performed Raga Bhairavi on flute.

"I love singing carols. Singing with feeling and gusto is the signature of carol singing," said Ananya Nandan, a Class VII student of Don Bosco Academy.

The Hindi category's Group A competition was won by St. Michael's High School, while Don Bosco Academy won Group B, and Group C's competition ended with a tie between Don Bosco Academy and Don Bosco Primary School.

The English category's Group A winner was Don Bosco Primary, while Carmel High School and St. Karen's High School won categories B and C respectively.

Eric D. Rozario, vice-principal of Don Bosco Academy and president of All- India Anglo-Indian Association, Danapur, said: "With over 450 participants, the judges found it difficult to choose the winners." The title of the best Hindi carol group was awarded to Don Bosco Academy, while the best English carol group title was awarded to Carmel High School.

Christmas Milan at Patna Women's College

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS) in collaboration with Hindi Churches Association and Christian Association of Bihar organised Christmas Milan 2016 "Rajdhani Mei Mangalwani" at Patna Women's College on Sunday.

Over 20,000 people attended the event, including students from 10 English medium schools and 100 Hindi medium schools run by GEMS. They presented a cultural programme with a tableau and dance performance. "Christmas is all about sharing joy, love and peace. We are trying to spread the same through this programme," said GEMS Director of Missions Ashok Kumar.