Tamil Nadu: City gears up to welcome 2008

Chennai, Dec 30: With the New Year round the corner, hotels, shopping malls and amusement parks in the city are gearing up to offer various forms of entertainment.

Bands and dancers have been brought from across the world. Illusionists, tarot card readers, DJs and MCs have been lined up. Restaurants and hotels had on offer, things more than just the cuisines for dinner on December 31 night.

Hotel organisers say this year there is more demand for tickets to take part in the new year celebrations.

Le Royal Meridian has brought Brazilian and Dutch dancers to entertain its customers on the new year eve.

Taj Fishermen's Cove has planned 'Arabian Nights', where Belly dancers would give live entertainment to the people with beachside dinner buffet.

For youngsters, new year's eve would be another chance to break away from lectures, assignments and projects.

''Like last year, I am going along with my friends to a hotel and dance the night away, after all, it's the last day of the year,'' says K Ram, B Com student from Loyola College.

''It's one of those days, when one can see a different kind of enthusiasm in people. Everyone is doing something or the other on the new year's eve,'' he adds.

Meanwhile, the Chennai police have warned revellers against drinking in public places and behaving indecently, especially towards women and children.
About 5,000 policemen would be deployed all over the city to ensure that the New Year eve passes accident free. Special police teams would conduct anti-sabotage checks at vital establishments.

So far, police have arrested 700 people as a preventive measure. Armed guards would be stationed at places of worship and in crowded places such as movie halls, railway stations and bus-stands. This security arrangement would continue till midnight of January 2, police sources said.

UNI