No midnight parties, no worries!

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 31

Owing to night curfew restrictions imposed by the state government till December 31 in the ongoing pandemic, no New Year parties could be held tonight and celebrations largely remained confined to daytime get-togethers, luncheon outings, evening geris and selfies with friends and families.

Residents said they were planning to buy cakes and purchase evening meals online from the eateries for the celebrations. To attract customers, city’s popular bakery Parveen Bakers and Confectioners organised a ‘live cake baking’ session in the day at Johal market. Several eateries offered discounts on combo meals for takeaway orders.

Youngsters said that since there are no parties and with restrictions on outings after 10 pm, they would have to make for it by engaging in video calls with their friends and relatives.

Online New Year celebrations were also organised by educational institutes like Innocent Hearts College of Education. The title of their digital event was ‘a sparkling healthy new year – 2021’ incorporating the theme of eradicating social evils and spreading awareness of cooperatively fighting against diseases. The event started with an online prayer ceremony in which students, teachers and faculty members prayed that the coming year should be free from the pandemic and other disease-free. They endeavoured to spread mass awareness about disease preventive measures. Some student-teachers expressed their views through songs and self-composed poems, while resolutions were made to provide free and qualitative education to the poor and needy.

Beautiful digital cards were prepared by Divya and Vyomika. Self-composed poems were recited by Kunika, Deepika and Ishpreet. Prabhjot gave a heart-touching speech about the prevalent crimes committed by youth which needs to be curbed. Principal Dr Arjinder Singh sounded a message: “Teachers have the power to change the world. It is the duty of would-be teachers to mould their students in such a way that they become good human beings and efficient human resources. Values should be inculcated among the students in the primary stage itself.” The online celebrations continued with best wishes and blessings from the principal and teachers. All wished each other peace, harmony, wholeness and prosperity in the coming year and in the years to come.

The NSS Committee of School of Management of Lyallpur Khalsa College Technical Campus organised a donation drive on the eve of New Year at Pingalwara, Jalandhar. The faculty and students of Department of Management contributed clothes, eatables, cash, shoes and other material. The same was distributed to the needy as a part of fulfilling corporate social responsibility towards society. Sukhbir Singh Chatha, director, Academic Affairs, praised the efforts of faculty and students and stated that these activities instill good values and makes them responsible citizens of nation.