EVERYONE will take a day off work on Christmas Day, but few will be using the occasion to celebrate the birth of Christ. In fact, as far as events go, Christmas will be a non-event for most in New Delhi.
Yes, the churches are getting ready to welcome their congregations and the five-star hotels are feasting their eyes on the lists of revellers.
But let's face it - Christians are a minority in Delhi and in most other parts of India. Christmas in the capital is just another holiday. That it falls on a Monday this year makes it a little more attractive, providing the bonus of an extended weekend.
But there is one group of residents who have been pushing to make this year a little different. They are among the 20 million Christians who have been pushing for special 'minority' status and job reservations under a policy of affirmative action.
Initially, Christian activists muddied the issue by dragging Mother Teresa into the controversy by inviting her to one of their political meetings in New Delhi, certain her attendance would generate publicity for their cause. .
And, though they were successful in their endeavour of publicising the plight of India's poor and underprivileged Christians, it laid Mother Teresa wide open to charges of communalism.
Although the Nobel Laureate managed to disentangle herself from the controversy, but not before widespread media criticism, the demands by Christian groups had, like most social issues in India, become politicised.