Delhi, NCR to ring in New Year with prayers for victim
NEW DELHI: Citizens across Delhi and NCR have decided to dedicate this year to the memory of the braveheart girl who fought till the very end. Many have decided not to celebrate the New Year.
"This is the moment where we decide who we want to be — insensitive people who don't want to spoil their New Year's plans or citizens of the country united in grief. I will be at Jantar Mantar to pay tribute to the girl," said Pooja Mehta, a college student who was part of the protest march at Delhi University on Sunday.
Similar voices have been raised from all across the city shunning celebrations in favour of protest marches and condolence meetings. "Let there be no celebration of New Year across the country. It will be a major tribute to the departed soul," said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General, Confederation of All India Traders.
The Vasant Vihar Residents Welfare Association has also cancelled its New Year celebrations and is holding a condolence meeting instead. Cibo, a popular restaurant in central Delhi also cancelled its New Year's party to mourn the gan- grape victim.
The resolve is apparent across the satellite towns as well. Many residents and residents' welfare associations (RWA) across Gurgaon have decided to boycott New Year festivities. Many pub owners have not organised any New Year special buffets, discounts, schemes and events. "There is no celebration mood this year. We didn't feel like organising anything special. How can we, when in Delhi, there are mass protests and outrage," said Bharat Maggo, owner of Ipsa Bar and Lounge in Sahara Mall, Gurgaon.
In Noida and Greater Noida many residents, college/school students, and industrialists decided on Sunday to skip New Year celebrations, and instead, pay homage to the brave girl by lighting a candle outside their homes.
"Each year I used to go somewhere to celebrate New Year's eve. But after death of the Delhi braveheart, I am in no mood to celebrate anything. In fact my whole group has decided not to go out or hold parties," said Ayush Chauhan, 23, a law student, and a resident of sector 53.