Biff Hawke here calling from India, wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The biggest celebrations over here are Diwali (celebrated by the majority Hindus, and Jains and Sekhs as the Festival of Lights), and Eid ul-Fitr (the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan). After all, these religions account for about 96 percent of the population. Christmas, however, is still quite big. There are over 20 million Christians in India - it's roots stretch back to 70 AD, but Christianity didn't catch hold until about 300 AD when Syrian traders started arriving in the south.

In New Delhi, all the 5 star hotels have massive Xmas trees in their lobbies; Christmas music is piped in the corridors of shopping centres; and just about every night during the week preceding 25 Dec one can attend a Christmas concert.

On Christmas day, we do our present opening around the tree and proceed to Mass at the Vatican Embassy, followed by Xmas dinner at one of the 5 stars. You can't get a decent turkey around here in the markets - hence the eating out. Just thought I'd share this with everybody. Merry Christmas to all