Shillong’s New Year plunge to feature 8 tonnes of ice this year

SHILLONG, Dec 29: The annual New Year plunge into an ice-cold pool, a 27-year-old tradition in Shillong, will feature 8 tonnes of ice this year, adding to the thrill of the ritual.
Organised by the Forever Young Club, a group of fitness enthusiasts, the event involves participants diving into a pool chilled to near-freezing temperatures.
Initiated in 1997 by club president Michael N. Syiem, the tradition was conceived as a unique way to combine fitness and celebration.
Over the years, the event has gained popularity, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds.
At midnight on December 31, volunteers, fully sober and mentally prepared, take the plunge, transforming the pool — usually set up at a local fitness club — into the heart of New Year’s festivities in the city.
With Shillong’s winter temperatures often dropping to 3-4°C, the icy dive is both a daunting and exhilarating challenge.
For participants, it is not just about enduring the cold but embracing a test of resilience and spirit. Spectators gather to witness this extraordinary display of courage and celebration.