JOYOUS CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AT CCI FOR BY STUDENTS
December is a much-awaited month for Mumbaikars, not just for its festive spirit but also for the pleasant weather it brings. The cool and refreshing days offer a welcome respite from the sultry Mumbai heat. For the students of Bhavishya Yaan, however, December holds special significance. It’s the time when they eagerly anticipate one of the most exciting events of the year: the famous Christmas Carnival at the Cricket Club of India (CCI).
The buzz and excitement among BY students starts in November, as they begin to countdown the days to the carnival. Every year, the anticipation grows as the event draws nearer, and no one wants to miss out on the fun. The students’ enthusiasm is palpable, and they are always on their best behaviour, eagerly awaiting this thrilling event.
Each year, approximately 1000 BY students from various centres such as Byculla, Colaba, GKMarg, NM Joshi, and Prabhadevi are given the privilege of enjoying the Christmas Carnival at CCI. Organised by the ever-dedicated Rotarian Suresh Agarwal, the carnival is a highlight of the BY programme, and this year, like every other year, was no exception. The event took place over three days: the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of December.
Busloads of excited students, accompanied by their equally enthusiastic teachers, arrived at CCI, ensuring they reached the venue on time to fully enjoy their designated time slots. As the buses pulled into the grounds, the students wasted no time running towards the exciting rides awaiting them. Teachers, though just as excited, followed closely behind to ensure the students’ safety while letting them enjoy the fun to the fullest.
CCI was beautifully adorned in festive Christmas colours of red and green, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. The venue was filled with bright, colourful rides, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and stalls offering a variety of treats. This year, some new rides were added to the carnival, much to the delight of the children. Popular attractions included the Harness Trampoline, Fun Fire Truck, Pin Wheel, Merry-GoRound, Carnival Bouncy, Fun Blast, and Inflated Bouncing Adventure. Not to be missed were the ever-popular Candy Floss and Popcorn stalls.
After enjoying a range of exciting rides and indulging in breaks for candy floss and popcorn, the students gathered near the stage for another exciting feature—Santa! This year, a new addition to the event was the “Greet and Meet Santa” session, where students had the chance to take photos with Santa and receive Christmas chocolates as gifts. The sound of lively music filled the air, and both students and teachers danced to their hearts’ content near the stage, adding to the festive joy.
As the day progressed, the students were treated to a delicious spread of snacks, including sandwiches, vegetable patties, cupcakes, juice, and ice cream, which replenished their energy for more fun. And just when they thought it couldn’t get any better, it was time for the much-anticipated goodies bag at the exit gate. Each student received a bag filled with essential items like a water bottle, tiffin box, compass box, and stationery. The carnival may have come to an end, but the smiles on the faces of the students as they boarded their buses to return were priceless. As the year 2024 drew to a close, the hope for next year’s carnival was already on the horizon, bringing with it more joy and excitement for the BY students.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Sureshji for bringing this immense joy to BY students year after year, making the Christmas Carnival a treasured event for al