Timo Alarik Pakkanen, the real-life Santa Claus from Finland, says that it is important for him to spread the message of love and happiness all over as the world requires it the most right now. By Jigyasu Joshi

The man that we all loved as kids - that plump, red fur coat-clad, big-fat sack carrying man, who comes on a sledge from the North Pole only to shower us with gifts, Santa Claus, is on his pre-Christmas visit to India. Yes, Santa Claus, the man we grow up to learn is only imaginary is here to make Christmas merrier than ever. Timo Alarik Pakkanen, the real-life Santa from Finland, is on his mission to spread the spirit of love, compassion and generosity. For doing this, every year Timo leaves from his home in lapland, Northern Finland, to visit many countries all over the world. On his second official trip to India, he said, “People have been very welcoming and feel very happy after seeing me. Yesterday, we visited a mall in Noida to meet small children and it was heart warming. Though some of them got scared, they later settled for a chocolate,” laughed Timo.

Timo, is a busy man as he prepares for the whole year to travel around the globe around Christmas time. “As an ambassador of good will and peace, I wish to spread the magic of love and happiness where ever I go. That’s the most important thing for me to do. I hope to meet many people during my trip and hear their stories,” he said. Timo added that though there are different people and different cultures in different parts of the world that he travels but the reaction of seeing a Santa Claus and the happiness, is same. His trip this year will conclude in Agra.

Talking about the celebrations that take place in his village around this time, he said, “It is unparalleled. We have a huge celebration at that time. The elves come around and sing and dance. We all also celebrate when I start my journey from the village to travel around the world.” Further he added, “Since I am in Delhi, I have planned to visits some historic places and sample Indian food.”