JOIN USNew Year revelry takes a back seat
With the time for bidding goodbye to ‘2012’ fast nearing, Delhiites, who have braved many ups and downs in their lives, seemed to have succumbed to the blasphemous tag their city had earned — the ‘Rape Capital’.
The death of the 23-year-old gang rape victim in Singapore had affected the people to such an extent that even the celebrating spirit here had been severely dampened, as restaurants and hotels were seen refusing to begin the New Year celebrations on a joyful note.
The celebrations looked subdued. While some restaurants and hotels had beefed up security, others decided to go low-key. Take for instance the Soi Thai restaurant in Vasant Vihar which has planned a quiet celebration instead of the popular trend of employing a DJ.
Shinjini Kapoor, promoter, Soi Thai said, “We have planned a muted evening with merely a pianist Robert Tamang and limited liquor as per our existing menu. Similarly, the Metropolitan Hotel and Spa, Bangla Sahib Road, has decided to have a warm evening while focusing only on a wide variety of food for guests.
The chance to earn huge profits on the occasion has made others continue with their prior plans but with added security arrangements .
When the Union government has announced all discotheques and pubs in Delhi to stop serving liquor to guests after 1 am, the hotel and pub owners have accepted the decision willingly, keeping in mind the importance of security.
“An early shutdown would mean less business, but safety is more important," says Benu Sehgal, vice-president, DLF Place Saket.