Mangalore, January 1: The coastal city erupted in a blaze of colour and light at midnight as the world ushered in the New Year in style.
Hundreds of people, most of them youngsters, thronged to main road in the last moments of 2011 to witness the celebrations amidst fireworks. Spirit of the crowd rose as midnight approached and crackers made the sky colourful as the clock struck 12 midnight.
People were seen exchanging New Year greetings by shaking hands and hugging each other.
Parties
Hotels in city had offered special loads of gifts to its customers in an attempt to make their New Year celebrations a memorable one.
Apart from prizes like diamonds and tickets to Dubai, hotels also offered sumptuous food, live music, dance competition, unlimited food and some colourful events.
“Our New Year specials were live band performance, Bollywood dance show by Beat Bouncer dance group, cracker shows and unlimited international liquor," said Nagarajan Udupa, vice-president of Hotel Ocean Pearl.
Gold Finch manager SM Doss said apart from unlimited liquor they organized various competitions and winners received free holiday packages at their boutique hotels.
People who hesitated to attend expensive New Year parties welcomed the year 2012 in front of Television in their houses.
Only 30 minutes
The police department has just given half-an-hour extension for Mangaloreans to welcome 2012 after midnight, in order to avoid untoward incidents in the late night.
Police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh had issued a notification to all establishments hosting New Year party to shut down by 12.30am. He also had issued instructions to all police stations to give half-an-hour extension after midnight for the celebrations.
The Mangalore police were out in full strength on New Year's eve to rein in drunk drivers. Alcometers were used to check drunken driving. In some places where alcometers were not there, drivers suspected for drunken driving were be taken for a medical examination, police sources said.
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