Date:27/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122759080300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Some city hotels tone down New Year eve celebrations

Hotels are cautious in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, says L. Srikrishna

In the backdrop of Mumbai terror attacks, many big hotels in the are not celebrating advent of the New Year, as in the past, with the usual pomp.

Though the police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the New Year eve passes off smoothly, a majority of the hoteliers opined that it would not be appropriate to celebrate this particular year. “We have not lined up any entertainmen t programmes for our guests this time, but will offer a good spread at our restaurant with some music,” said G. Vasudevan, Director, Hotel Fortune Pandiyan. As for security arrangements, the hotel would have additional personnel drawn from private agencies to closely monitor the guests, he added.

GRT Regency General Manager K. Muralidharan said that there would be no special events and the New Year eve celebrations would just be “soft.” “We’ll offer a range of food items. The permit room will have karaoke facility. The security is in place ever since the police cautioned us,” he said.

Not all

However, two hotels — Sangam and Germanus — are planning to welcome the New Year in style. Sangam Hotel Deputy General Manager G. Subramaniam said that they have big plans drawn up for the New Year eve celebrations. “Arrangements are under way for about 125 couples. We expect single guests and children as well. The night will have a range of entertainment, music and delicious food and the security will be elaborate.”

The Germanus Hotel is expecting about 500 guests for the December 31 evening which will have live music and other entertainment. “The events will take place within the hotel campus and safety gadgets such as metal detectors will be used by our own private security personnel in the larger interest of the visitors,” said its General Manager S. Senthilnathan.

A few months ago, the police received an e-mail which threatened damage to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Following this, the police stepped up security and devotees were permitted entry only after thorough frisking. Though the police and temple authorities opened up a few entry points which remained closed to facilitate the Ayyappa devotees to enter the temple freely, there was no scaling down of security, police officers maintained.

“There is no specific threat, but we maintain strict vigil,” a senior police officer said.