Happy those year-end tidings 1999!
By Rajbir Deswal
The second millennium was at its fag end when we decided to celebrate and welcome the third one at no other place than beautiful Shimla, hoping in addition, to enjoy the excitement of an expected snowfall.
We were blessed with a mild shower of snowflakes at about four in the evening while strolling on the Mall. The flakes landing in the boiling oil, meant for frying pakoras at the nearby stalls, made crackling sound.
It portended well for a pleasurable propagation of the ensuing evening. And a nice and hot cup of coffee out in the open, with a topping of the falling snowflakes, aptly allegorised the anxiety and trepidation in our hearts, since the Kandhar hijack hostages had not till then been released.
Wherever we went, be it a restaurant, a showroom or a tea stall, the television channels constantly reminded us of the concern the entire nation had for the event, giving us mixed feelings of sorrow and joy, on the eve of the new millennium.
We went to a cosy restaurant on the Mall and ordered soup while some people took to the dancing floor on the taps of the teasing disc jockeys. Updates on Kandhar hijack were beamed as intercuts during the other entertainment programmes but no news gladdened our hearts since it was just a wait and watch scenario which takes its toll with the people with sensitive hearts.
The Master of Ceremony announced a draw of lots for the lucky winners in various themes. This had to be done on the tickets purchased. Lo and behold, he announced a certain number for the “lucky couple of the evening”. Everyone peeled his or her eyes on the counterfoils of the tickets. My son yelled from a corner signaling something. In the din we could make out his scream.” It’s you Mom-Dad!”
We were invited to the podium and asked to tell a joke or sing a song. I could have gladly performed in pursuance of both the entreaties but something deep inside held me back. Battling through the crowd we made it to the dais but not without hesitation.
And then the big news of the release of the hostages flashed on the small screen. Entire gathering went up in gyrations ranting cries of exhilaration, excitement and relief. It was a bare ten minutes short of the turn of the millennium.
Never ever before had I enjoyed singing, “Chhoro kal ki baatein, kal ki baat purani’ Naye daur main lickhenge, mil kar nai kahani; Hum Hindustani”. Needless to say the huge gathering sang in chorus with us clapping the beats that completed the most sought symphony of the moment. I noticed hardly a soul without moist eyes and revelling.
Today our hearts go out to the bereaved family of Gurgaon and we salute the brave pilot.
The second millennium was at its fag end when we decided to celebrate and welcome the third one at no other place than beautiful Shimla, hoping in addition, to enjoy the excitement of an expected snowfall.
We were blessed with a mild shower of snowflakes at about four in the evening while strolling on the Mall. The flakes landing in the boiling oil, meant for frying pakoras at the nearby stalls, made crackling sound.
It portended well for a pleasurable propagation of the ensuing evening. And a nice and hot cup of coffee out in the open, with a topping of the falling snowflakes, aptly allegorised the anxiety and trepidation in our hearts, since the Kandhar hijack hostages had not till then been released.
Wherever we went, be it a restaurant, a showroom or a tea stall, the television channels constantly reminded us of the concern the entire nation had for the event, giving us mixed feelings of sorrow and joy, on the eve of the new millennium.
We went to a cosy restaurant on the Mall and ordered soup while some people took to the dancing floor on the taps of the teasing disc jockeys. Updates on Kandhar hijack were beamed as intercuts during the other entertainment programmes but no news gladdened our hearts since it was just a wait and watch scenario which takes its toll with the people with sensitive hearts.
The Master of Ceremony announced a draw of lots for the lucky winners in various themes. This had to be done on the tickets purchased. Lo and behold, he announced a certain number for the “lucky couple of the evening”. Everyone peeled his or her eyes on the counterfoils of the tickets. My son yelled from a corner signaling something. In the din we could make out his scream.” It’s you Mom-Dad!”
We were invited to the podium and asked to tell a joke or sing a song. I could have gladly performed in pursuance of both the entreaties but something deep inside held me back. Battling through the crowd we made it to the dais but not without hesitation.
And then the big news of the release of the hostages flashed on the small screen. Entire gathering went up in gyrations ranting cries of exhilaration, excitement and relief. It was a bare ten minutes short of the turn of the millennium.
Never ever before had I enjoyed singing, “Chhoro kal ki baatein, kal ki baat purani’ Naye daur main lickhenge, mil kar nai kahani; Hum Hindustani”. Needless to say the huge gathering sang in chorus with us clapping the beats that completed the most sought symphony of the moment. I noticed hardly a soul without moist eyes and revelling.
Today our hearts go out to the bereaved family of Gurgaon and we salute the brave pilot.
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