2013 eve: Capital's clubs cancel celebrations, incur losses

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Some called famed disc jockeys, some planned lavish buffets - but several clubs and pubs across the capital have either cancelled their New Year eve celebrations or have toned them down as a homage to the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, who died Saturday.

Few admit they have incurred losses.

Cibo, a popular restaurant in Hotel Janpath, has decided to cancel its special New Year celebrations as a mark of respect to the victim of the Dec 16 gang-rape.

"We have cancelled the celebrations because we are concerned with what has happened. There will just be a lavish buffet and the in-house DJ, who is always there," Sanjeev Uppal, director, Cibo, told IANS.

"We are facing a loss of around 50 percent as we had to cancel the advance bookings. The prices have also been reduced to 70 percent," Uppal added.

Roshanara Club in Roshanara Gardens, has also called off its New Year bash.

"We have cancelled the celebrations because of the death of the gang-rape victim," Rakesh Jain, secretary administration, Roshanara Club, told IANS.

Admitting the loss in business, he said: "Although we are not a profit-making organisation, we had to return the advance money we got from bookings. We have suffered loses of around Rs.2 lakh."

The capital's popular Taj Palace hotel also planned a quiet evening, with celebrations just for in-house guests.

"The decoration and celebrations are very low profile. There has to be some minimum celebration for in-house guests," said a source from Taj Palace.

The Soi Thai restaurant in Vasant Vihar has planned a quiet celebration with pianist Robert Tamang, who will play at the event.

The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa on Bangla Sahib Road, is also going in for a cosy evening with a wide variety of food to be served for the guests. Rajesh Khanna, head, food and beverage, says he has taken special security measures for the safety of the guests.

New Year celebrations have been cancelled in many residential areas and other institutions too.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will not celebrate New Year, and instead hold a candle-light march. Even the Indian Army has called off plans for a get-together.

However, hotels like Leela Kempinski, Bristol Hotel, Gurgaon, and Hotel Lalit are going ahead with their celebrations.

While Leela Kempinski will see model-actress Claudia Ciesla and Master Salim entertaining people, Bristol has Punjabi rapper Honey Singh performing.

There is maximum buzz around Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone's performance at Hotel Lalit.

Several hotspots in places like Hauz Khas Village, DLF Promenade, Gurgaon and Noida too are hosting special nights with music, food and drinks. But most places are expected to stop serving liquor by 1 a.m.

Yet the question remains -- Will the party be on?