Mangalore: The port city since 5 pm in the evening was so excited that party goers of the city especially the Christians, who welcome the Christian Era of 2014 were found roaming in the streets and going to Churches or attending parties in front of old mansions of British times to being in the new year in a royal fashion.
People in newly washed dresses neatly ironed in laundries were seen in Kadri, Bedoorwell, Kankanady, Jeppu, Morgan’s Gate Falnir, Hampankatta, Balmatta, Nehru Maiddan area, Pandeshwar, Rosario Cathedral, Old Harbor and such places as far as Shaktinagar, Vamanjoor and Nanthoor were decorated and excited for a gorgeous New Year Bashing. At night fall the Churches began prayers with hundreds of followers thronging in, and peopling in court yards of Churches and ancient homes for parties and get-togethers.
In some places and city areas an old man filled with cotton and old cloths with 2013 marked on his heart was ready to go on fire at the stroke of midnight but, from 8 pm to 12 at night, it was band music, dancing, drinking, laughing loudly, cutting jokes, meeting each other as if seen only last year and the like were seen in many areas of the port city.
At NMPT in Kulur some ships waiting for loading and unloading at berths, were also dressed up in decorations and colored light for the merriment of port workers and staff members to celebrate New Year with a noisy party.
At the strike of 12 gongs at mid night, the ‘Old Man of 2013’ was given farewell ad his effigy was set fire to the large sounds of veiled crackers bugles, whistles and bells. People embarrassed one another and dance to Music at the partying spots in the city. Children also joined in and women prepared special dishes for a late dinner after all the reveling had ended at 12.30 am as per orders of city police commissioner, R Hitendra, IPS.
Even the police lines at Shaktinagar and near Nehru Maidan or Pandeshwar were lit up with hanging lamps and “Happy New Year” massages the DCO circle near SBI was decorated with electric lights and the new year 2014 was welcomed sound of cracker bursts to welcome a new prosperous and expectant New Year.