Shillong, Jan 1: Meghalaya welcomed the New Year with varied activities, especially the yearly midnight swim.
There were 32 participants, including 3 women, for the 28th midnight swim at the Crinoline swimming pool on December 31.
Organised by Forever Young, the event saw active participation of the young and the old who welcomed the New Year without any intoxication.
Michael Syiem of Forever Young said 9 tonnes of ice blocks were added to make the pool cold.
The maximum temperature of Shillong as recorded on January 1 was 14.6 °C, and the minimum was 6 °C. On December 31, it was 14.6 and 4, respectively.
Vicky Chaudhary, who is a close associate of Syiem, said the latter came with a broken leg. “He arrived till the diving point in his walker and plunged into the water, setting an example.
Chaudhary (57) and Syiem have been participating in the event from its inception in 1997.
Chaudhary’s son, Sameer Chaudhary (23), who took part in the initiative in 2019 and 2021, was the youngest participant this time.
Over 70-year-old William Marbaniang was the oldest participant.
Others celebrated the first day of the Year with prayers, picnics & parties.
