New Year parties moderate in Delhi

Most of the denizens of the Capital, known for partying, cancelled their high-profile programmes planned to usher in the New Year. Even the rest, who went ahead with their parties, celebrated in a moderate fashion.

While shoppers thronged Connaught Place, the main venue for merry-making in the Capital on this day every year, there was no music or dancing on the streets. The market place, as also many other such venues, wore little decoration.

"The celebrations this time were on a smaller scale because the tsunami tragedy was on the minds of the people. We purposely avoided the live music bands this year to show our solidarity," said President of New Delhi Traders Association Atul Bhargava.

However, the restaurants were overflowing and diners had to wait in the chilly winds for their turn.

Abhishek Guha, a regular visitor to Connaught Place on New Year's Eve, said, "the place is almost chock-a-block at this time on other years, with contests and live bands playing. But this time, the party mood is absent... It's like any other evening in CP."

Several clubs, cultural centres and hotels cancelled their programmes today in view of Sunday's disaster. Even where parties were held, organisers kept the publicity a low-key affair.