Christmas came early in western India as Santa Claus was seen distributing masks to children and spray-sanitizing the streets in an attempt to spread awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visuals shot on December 16 and December 17 in Mumbai show the special Santa Claus distributing masks to children and helping them wear the masks correctly as a means to combat COVID-19.

He can also be seen spray-sanitising the streets of Mumbai, along with bus stands and buses from the inside and outside alike.

The man dressed up as the gift-granting Santa Claus has been identified as Ashok Kurmi, the President of Cyan Friend Circle Foundation. He has been distributing sweets to the children on the streets of Mumbai each Christmas for the past five years. 

However, this year Kurmi took up the task of spreading awareness and creating a safe environment before the onset of Christmas celebrations.

Christmas arrived early in western India's Maharashtra when Santa Claus was seen distributing masks to children and spray-sanitizing the streets of Mumbai in an attempt to spread awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visuals shot on December 16 and December 17 witnessing the special Santa Claus distributing masks to tiny children and helping them wear the masks correctly as a means to combat COVID-19. He can also be seen spray-sanitising the streets of Mumbai, along with bus stands and buses from the inside and outside alike.

The man dressed up as the gift-granting Santa Claus has been identified as Ashok Kurmi, the President of Cyan Friend Circle Foundation. He has been distributing sweets to the children on the streets of Mumbai each Christmas for the past five years. 

However, he realised the need of the hour was not sweets, but masks and awareness about social distancing guidelines. He took up the task of spreading awareness and creating a safe environment before the onset of Christmas celebrations this year.