‘Midnight madness’: Swimmers ring in the New Year with icy swim

SHILLONG, Jan 2: Call it a sort of madness or whatever you want but New Year revelry took a flight of frenzy in Shillong on December 31.
In what appeared as something crazy in the state capital that almost froze in numbing winter chill, 21 swimmers took the celebration to a new height when they took a plunge deep down the Crinoline Swimming Pool in the night.
Thanks to the initiative of Forever Young club that ensured the seemingly impossible task become possible.
The initiative saw six tons of ice blocks being put inside the pool to make it a riveting and challenging task.
The idea was to herald the New Year with a bang. More precisely, the organisers wanted to send a message that tough conditions need tougher action.
They wanted participants to draw strength from the zeal to overcome adversities strewn in the path to test their resolve just before the crack of the New Year dawn.
The organisers wanted to ensure fair means. Participants were not allowed to take any kind of intoxicant before taking part in the event to avoid disqualification.
The year 2023 marks the silver jubilee of the annual midnight swim. Long live the bravado.