While Chandigarh witnessed a happening party scene on New Year Eve, other major cities in Punjab toned down the celebratory mood due to Omicron threat

Even with the shadow of Omicron looming, Chandigarh gave a warm send off to 2021. If the day parties had youngsters dancing to DJ beats, hotels and restaurants had near full bookings for New Year parties.

Peddlers had the band Yuga and live DJ playing for the partygoers. “Only in Chandigarh the party scene is happening, considering how Delhi and Mumbai have imposed restrictions. We are booked almost to full,” said Vipul Dua from Peddlers.

Covid protocols in place, decor in red, and countdown on big screen, fireworks and DJ, Piccadilia too geared up for the night. “We have close to full reservations, some walk-ins and we are good to go” said Arpit Singh, owner, Piccadilia. “We maintained Covid protocol,” he added. Satinder Sartaaj’s performance was sold out at Hyatt, Chandigarh and the scene was similar at most hotels and clubs which hosted events to ring in 2022.

Hills remained a favourite jaunt for city folks as well. “I am on a work-cum-celebrations trip to Shimla,” said choreographer Jas K Shan.

A look around Jalandhar

With most people preferring to usher in 2022 with their families, most hoteliers in Jalandhar kept the New Year night celebrations a simple affair. Owners of most hotels in the city laid out lavish buffet spread and held live singing for its guests. One of the main attractions was an open light, sound and fire show at the PPR Market near Model Town. Popular podcaster from the city Simerjeet Singh too said, “For the past two years, we have been going out to gurdwara, offering prayers and listening to the hymns. We then organise bonfire and the family sits together. This time too, we did the same.”

Missing fervour in Amritsar

Amritsaris brought in 2022 minus the usual fervour. With most clubs in city calling off live shows party revellers celebrated New Year in a restricted manner.

The clubs in the city, including Amritsar Club, Service Club and Heritage Club, called off New Year parties and settled for private dinners with limited gathering. “We are offering dinner service only for our club members. Usually, celebrities used to perform on the New Year’s Eve and we used to host multiple activities for guests, but in the given scenario, it’s not possible,” said Lalit Mohan Chandok, secretary, Amritsar Club.

With caution in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, on the contrary, celebrated New Year Eve with great zeal. According to Amarvir Singh, president of Hotel and Restaurant Association, New Year parties were organised at 35-40 hotels. “The persons who have got both doses of vaccination were allowed to attend the events. Party venues were allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity for maintaining social distancing.”

—Mona, Deepkamal Kaur, Neha Saini, Harshraj Singh