Balurghat gears up for New Year's Day: Residents to make most of it

BALURGHAT: If the big metros and other cities are all upbeat about the New Year, small town like Balurghat is not far behind. Apart from picnics and outings, Gen Y of this border area would like to go foot-loose on Monday night to bid adieu to the passing 2018.

"I will bid farewell to 2018 by rocking to popular Bengali numbers," said an excited college student, Soumili Bhattacharjee. A number of singers and film stars will perform on Monday night. "Sharing the special night with the silver screen icons is itself exciting," says Taniya Choudhury, a homemaker.

Some of the residents are planning to go for a short trip to Digha, Darjeeling or to nearby tourist spots like Gour in Malda or Kulick bird sanctuary in Raiganj for a day or two.

Serpentine queues have been witnessed before the booking counters of different travel agencies in Balurghat.

"It is the sole intention of the common public to go for a short trip either to Digha or Darjeeling at minimal costs and our traveling agency is eager to serve the purpose," said an owner of a reputed travel agency, Sourav Ghosh.

Retired central government employee Pulak Ghosh is willing to go to Puri to celebrate New Year there with his grandchildren, "I don't want to miss this opportunity to go elsewhere, particularly in the juncture of the New Year," he said.

Those who are not being able to go anywhere, spend time with their loved ones by dining out in reputed restaurants.

Rush hours start from a week before for reputed restaurants which arrange exclusive dishes for their customers. "We have received various orders for serving special chicken and mutton dishes like Kasha Mangsho and Murg Massalam on the first day of the New Year," said a spokesperson of a restaurant, Apurba Dutta.

"Meat is very much a part of Bengali cuisine and our customers have ordered us to arrange special items consisting of mutton," said the owner of another city-based renowned restaurant in Balurghat, Banti Agarwal.

For the youth, two up market resorts which have come just a few kilometers from the town, can be a place of retreat.

The serene surroundings are an ideal gateway from the hustle of urban life. "I want to usher in the New Year 2019 with a new experience," said Jaydeep Roy, who wants to have a good time with his college mates when the clock

strikes twelve.