Delhi police keeping tight vigil

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

NEW DELHI, DEC. 31. It may not have treated everyone in the same way, bringing joy to some homes and breaking hearts in many others, but the Capital gave the much talked about year 2000 a farewell that, although not as memorable as its welcome party, was one filled with just as much delight and excitement.

Delhi was brimming with activity, with almost everyone - right from the perfect family man who was out for a drive around India Gate with his family, rebellious youngsters who tasted the zeal of the first puff to the heartbroken and homely ones who took comfort by holding on to the pillow and tears and ushered in the New Year by keeping their date with the idiot box - being a part of this last day's last show.

Groomed for the occasion, the city wore a festive look, with markets and shopping malls being brightly lit and rather `inviting' discounts dominating the exteriors of the stores. Connaught Place, which has more or less become a favourite joint of all age groups over the years, presented a Sunday that most of its frequenters would probably welcome all through the year.

It may have been too crowded even to browse through the various shops of the market, but being at one of happening places of Delhi itself seemed to be good enough a reason for many. A different treat for those visiting CP this year was the `Go Karting' show that was on. And if the response to the event is anything to go by, then the coming year might just present us with a couple of more enthusiastic Karthikeyans and not just the Gangulys and wannabe Tendulkars.

The party began early for most Delhiites this year with the last day of the year being a Sunday. A holiday also meant that the late night party birds had enough time to plan that much important celebration night. For those who preferred to go for the `ready made' party mood and look that various hotels were offering, it was an occasion to let their hair down and enjoy, with economic constraints being the last thing on their mind.

Those who took the Delhi police's cautions a little seriously did seem to gain a bit. As the night progressed, the men in ``khakhi'' almost took over the roads, mingling among the crowd to get a feel of the occasion but keeping their eyes open for any suspicious happening at the same time. With no vehicle being allowed inside either Connaught Place or India Gate after 7 p.m, late comers had to return disappointed or do a bit of space searching before taking a walk across the lawn.

The Delhi Traffic Police, too, seemed to be on its toes, armed with breath analyser to check drivers who were more than just high on spirit. Arranging a party at home and at the last minute sounded like a better and brighter idea than searching for parking space in CP today.

Not all parties, whether the ones held at a farm house in a posh Delhi locality or in small tents inside the JJ cluster next block probably went exactly the way they should have. But as the night progressed and drowned itself in the cheers and laughter of the optimists, the Capital went back to sleep in anticipation of another hopeful year and another mad Monday.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Next     : Lashkar says it has Chinese anti-aircraft guns