SHILLONG: The city, on Tuesday, welcomed 2020 in the most befitting manner celebrating the dawn of the new year.
Right from the evening, Shillongites began bursting crackers in the city, while people fervently indulged in organising parties and several houses witnessed merry-making involving a small bonfire set up to keep warm as well as music to add to the spirit of enjoyment.
Many hotels in the city welcomed the new year with musical programmes on the New Year’s eve, while special prayers were also held in different churches.
The annual midnight swim continued this year as well with several people set to welcome the new year by taking a dive in the freezing water at the Crinoline Swimming Pool at Barik near Seven Set Annexe School.
To add to the challenge, in the wintry swimming feat, five tonnes of ice will be dropped in the freezing swimming pool.
Since morning, many of the confectionary stores in the city witnessed the people gathering in large numbers even as people extended greetings to each other personally, as well as through the medium of social media.
Meanwhile, police had also made elaborative security arrangements to ensure that the celebrations passed off peacefully and to do so authorities deployed police personnel in several areas of the city. Many people in the city have also planned for picnic on the first day of the year.
