- 7 -
31st December
The Prime Minister’s message to the nation was to be broadcast at 8 pm. So, Alok brought Dal-Subzi and two chapattis to eat from the ‘Tandoor’ at seven o’clock.
Anyway, Alok has a habit of having dinner early. Thus, food gets digested well before sleeping and one gets better sleep. After finishing eating, he switched on the TV and covered himself with quilt. At 8 o’clock, the Prime Minister’s address to the nation began. After wishing and congratulating the countrymen for the New Year, the Prime Minister thanked them for their wide support to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. He also mentioned the problems caused by this decision, and also enumerated the various benefits that accrued to the nation like stoppage of funding of terrorists from across the border in Kashmir and consequently stoppage of the activities of stone-pelters, breaking of the backbone of the Naxalites, check on black money etc. He also praised the bank employees for working till midnight during these testing times. At the same time, he not only condemned the corrupt practices indulged in by some of the bank managers and employees to sabotage the scheme by colluding with those who laundered their black money into white but also assured the countrymen of taking strict legal action against them. He also announced some special concessions for small businessmen and farmers who contribute to the development of the country.
After the Prime Minister’s speech, Alok watched a TV serial for some time and then switched off the TV and light, and surrendered himself to sleep.
…….
Due to the blind following of the western culture, the trend of celebrating New Year’s Eve is increasing every year in India. The occasion has become the symbol of a night when the celebrants, especially the young men and women, cross all limits of decorum and spend money freely on liquor and female-company, music and glamour, till late night. Hooligans are on the lookout to take advantage of such an opportunity. Their targets are not only the girls who come alone, but also the young ladies who come with their husbands or families. They become target of their obscene teasing and unwanted touching. It happens because we do not understand the true meaning of such a fun and boisterous cultural environment; we are probably not mature enough to enjoy ourselves decently. And our law and order is not so strict and efficient so as to action against such anti-social element. Such hooliganism often happens everywhere on such occasions, even in the five-star hotels, where only the so-called upper and elite class have access. After consuming liquor and even some banned drugs, people lose control over themselves and give a vent their repressed desires.
This time for the ‘New Year Eve’, the couples’ kitty party of which Rani and Ramesh were members, had booked a casino theme Cabana at JW Marriott, Chandigarh. Rani opened her wardrobe to get ready for the party. While trying to decide which Saree to wear, her eyes got stuck on the same Saree which she had worn when Alok had come. When she got ready and came out of the room, Ramesh said, “What a simple Saree you’re wearing, you should’ve worn an embroidered Saree. Are you short of Sarees? You’ve a large collection of splendid Sarees. This Saree looks dull for today’s occasion.”
“I like it. Moreover, it’s winter and at this age, I can't tolerate much cold. Shawl can be taken with a simple Saree; taking a shawl over the heavy Saree takes away its grace. Anyway, one should wear only those clothes in which one feels comfortable. I feel comfortable in this Saree.”
While saying the later part of the statement, Rani was unknowingly putting Alok’s thoughts into her words.
Looking mischievously at Rani and pulling her towards himself, Ramesh said, “What has happened to your age:
Aye meri zohara jabeen, tujhe maloom nahin
Tu abhi tak hai haseen aur mein jawan….”
(O my sweet heart, you don’t know;
You’re still beautiful, and I’m young ..)
“What’s the matter, you’re being very romantic today?”
“We’re going to have fun, is there any harm if we set the mood right now?”
Even though Ramesh had never paid attention to Rani’s likes and dislikes, and Rani was used to his nonchalant behaviour, but she had been noticing that for the last three-four days that his behaviour towards her was extra cold. But today Rani was pleasantly surprised to see his changed mood and attitude.
The decoration of the hotel was worth seeing. The colourful, twinkling lights seemed to welcome the New Year. The hotel was especially decorated on the occasion of the New Year. This year’s theme was ‘Black and White’. What with the tent, chairs, table-clothes, staff uniforms - in a nutshell, ‘Black and White’ was visible everywhere. Private Cabanas were erected on the lawn with a casino theme, with bar, buffet and games available therein. One Cabana could be reserved for ten couples. Guests who had reserved a Cabana could enjoy the ‘New Year Event’ in the banquet hall also. The Band, DJ and famous singer were there to entertain the guests alongwith the Gala Dinner in the banquet hall. LED screens were installed all around the hall and in the Cabanas so that every guest, no matter where one was, could enjoy the programme going on in the hall. Kavya D.J. from Delhi and famous singer Sukhvinder Sukhi from Punjab were the special attractions of the ‘New Year Eve’. Selfie frames were available in the lobby.
Even though the hotel management had kept a ‘Black and White’ theme on the ‘New Year Eve’ this year, the men and women, boys and girls and elderly persons present on this occasion were adorned in a rainbow of colours with the latest fashion and designer clothes. The lobby was filled to the brim with visitors. Visitors were taking photos and selfies from different angles in the lobby. Sitting on the sofas placed in the lobby were mostly elderly people who, despite their physical disabilities, had come with the younger members of their families to welcome the New Year. The glimpse of festive atmosphere was clearly visible on their faces. There was a lot of crowd in the banquet hall. Everyone, whether young or middle-aged, was dancing to the tunes of the D.J. The dancers were making lot of noises besides dancing. The visitors were making requests to the DJ again and again. It was not possible for the DJ to fulfil every request, yet the popular songs and tunes were being played one by one. Sukhvinder Sukhi also warmed up the atmosphere with his popular songs - ‘Aaja Mahiya Aaja Sohneya’, ‘Billo Ni Tera Dil Mangada’, ‘Kaljaan De Munde’, ‘Taal Se Taal Mila’,‘Chhaiyaan Chhaiyaan’, ‘Mera Yaar bada Sohna’, ‘Lak Tera Patla Jehya’ and enthralled and forced the audience to dance. When half a minute was left for the midnight, the countdown started on the stage. As the number was decreasing, the noise was increasing. With five, four, three, two, and one, all the lights in the hall were switched off. Three-four staff members opened the bottles of champagne and turned those towards the guests present. Showers started falling on the crowd. Champagne’s smell filled the hall. The hall echoed with the deafening sounds of ‘Happy New Year’ all around. Visitors were congratulating their friends and relatives by saying ‘Happy New Year’ and hugging them. At last, after having dinner, the visitors left for their respective places.
……
On the 1st January, there was less talk of ‘New Year’ in print, electronic and social media and more of the obscene and shameful prank played by a young man with a girl returning from a Discotheque at midnight in the modern metro and IT city, Bengaluru.
*****
