SHILLONG: Despite all the ups and downs which the city faced recently, it is finally all set to welcome 2020 in a befitting manner with hopes and prayers that the year 2020 will bring new fortunes for the state.
The city will welcome 2020 in the usual way even as protests and agitations finally seem to have subsided.
The annual midnight swim, which has gained quite popularity due to its nature of challenge, would continue where swimmers would dive in freezing water to welcome the new year.
In addition, several hotels in the city have also planned musical nights and programmes for New Year’s Eve while many parts of the city continued to be decorated in the festive mood.
Apart from musical programmes, special prayers will also take place in different churches in the city.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Governor RN Ravi and his wife Laxmi Ravi will also organise a musical evening at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday night.
The police have also made elaborate security arrangements in the city to ensure that the New Year bash is peaceful and enjoyable.
East Khasi Hills SP Clauda Lyngwa said that the district police are ensuring that permissions for various events are being given with proper conditions, which the organisers will have to adhere to. Even as security personnel have been deployed around the city, vigil will still be kept to check drunken driving at late nights in the city.
‘Countdown 2020’
Meanwhile, the Eva Yan Pictures Society will organise a musical concert called the ‘Countdown 2020’ in order to celebrate and welcome the new year.
The concert will be held at Eastside Inn Ground, Jalyiah Bypass, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills, on Tuesday starting from 1 pm to 12 am.
Many stalls will also be set up by vendors hosting a handful of delicacies for the visitors on the occasion.
The organisers have also made arrangements for bonfire at the venue as temperature in the state has dipped drastically this winter season. In order to make the event a musical feast for the people, artistes from across the state and North East will present before the crowd their special acts to kick the heat up.
The list of artistes for the concert includes Avora Records from Mizoram and DJ Yanny from Arunachal Pradesh, as well as Dalariti & The Folks and Rapper Kabir from the city, Larger Than 90 and Rapper Reble from Jowai.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the venue. The tickets are priced at Rs 500 per head and Rs 100 for children below 12 years. For more information, people can contact 8787566798/8974739888.
