Balasore, December 31 (Odisha.in) The youngsters in the coastal district of Balasore, who are supposed to be more jubilant in the eve of New Year to say good-bye to 2007 and welcome to 2008, are upset for obvious reasons.
For, there is no party, no disco for them in the sand city and they are already bored over the local tourist spots, especially beaches that dot the district in the eastern region. They say this place is no different from any small towns in and around the district.
“In the big cities people welcome the New Year with organizing musical events and parties, but here there is no scope for us. Big hotels in the town don’t organize such parties or dance programs which we can enjoy and celebrate the New Year. We too don’t want to visit tourist spots again and again,” pointed out Shashank Dey, an engineering student, who hails from West Bengal.
Though a few hotels here organize parties on December 31 but youngsters say these are not of good standard. Those who live or study in metros and come here to celebrate the vacation along with family members, for them it is a great mistake, as they feel.
“Last time two hotels had organized small parties and I attended one of them which were not up to the mark. Only foods were there and music was coming from the music-systems. Is it a party really?” asked Namrata Singh, an MBA second year student, who studies in Pune.
However, to overcome the gap and enjoy this occasion which comes once in a year this time many technical graduates and a good chunk of students from two engineering colleges and two management institutions here have decided to join parties being organized in the capital city of Bhubaneswar.
“There many hotels are organizing parties where we also have an opportunity to dance in discos. If we don’t enjoy life in such occasion then when will we do? Cost is not a matter for us, we want standard parties,” said Soumya Mishra, who is pursuing fashion designing.
Though some others have organized parties in their hostels but they fear the police may put them behind the bars for violating rules that prevents loud music after 10 pm in the night.
Hoteliers however feel otherwise. “Since then, there have not been many requests from residents to organize big parties and establish an annual tradition here, how can we have it,” asked Jajati Das, owner of Hotel Meridian.
“As it is not a so big city, we can’t get more money out of such parties and add events like a New Year’s Eve party. Typically, if there is a real demand or interest, we would consider it,” he added.
Artists, writers and literary lovers of the town however can enjoy the New Year as this time a two-day national art camp has been organsied in association with Chandrabhaga, a socio-cultural organisation, and there is a two-day programme on literature. A theater festival and a book-fair will also continue till January 5.
Odisha.in