Chilly swim to welcome the New Year

Jan 01, 2011 |

SHILLONG

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Away from parties, loud music, wine and revelry, a few others welcomed the new year by diving into ice cold water.

From fifty-six year old William Marbaniang to 12-year-old Danzeal, seventeen people jumped into the ice-cold waters of Crinoline Swimming Pool here at the stroke of 12 last midnight, seeking to send a message to the people to face the challenges of life with strength.

To make things even chiller, thirteen ice-blocks weighing 50 kg each were thrown into the pool even as the mercury was nearing zero degrees.

"The midnight swimming is to welcome New Year from the very beginning with a prayer to god for strength and wisdom to face the challenges of life," 54-year-old Michael Syiem, the President of Forever Young Club, the organisers of the swimming stunt, said.

"Celebration does not essentially mean drinking and frolicking. This swim has more to do with determination and strengthening of the inner self to face the challenges of life," he said.

Among the divers was a young journalist Banjop Mukhim, who had actually gone there for covering the event, but decided to jump into the waters.

"I froze the old year, and resolved to face the challenges in the year ahead," Banjop said as he came out shivering.

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