Aizawl, Dec 31 : The state capital of Mizoram is all set to ring in the new year with a bang-boom-bang, not of fire crackers but of musical treats.
The state government had set aside Rs 60,000 each for New Year concerts in five strategic locations within the city where the state’s top singers and musicians will entertain the exciting New Year revelers.
Rs 50,000 each had also been sanctioned to the other seven district capitals of Mizoram for the same purpose.
The concerts, to be simultaneously kicked-off at 1300 hours on December 31, will be organized by the concerned branch of Young Mizo Association, the state’s largest NGO, in collaboration with district magistrate and police officials.
“The concerts aim to give entertainment to the youths and prevent them from indulging in anti-social activities like taking drugs, alcohol and drunken driving,” a government official source said today.
Such events had been organised on New Year’s eve last year and they proved to be successful.
Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies, with the help of the local NGOs, have been taking measures to ensure New Year celebrations free of fireworks and crackers like the last two years.
Fireworks and crackers had been part and parcel of New Year celebrations in Mizoram for decades till the last two years. A complete change took place in 2009 when the state government announced prohibition of fireworks and crackers and sought the assistance of the local NGOs in enforcing the prohibition.
The prohibition was a complete success as virtually not a single sound of crackers was heard and no more flickering lights of fireworks travelling the skies above.
And for the first in many years, asthma patients and people with heart problem were able to enjoy New Year celebrations in peace.
“Thanks to the good cooperation of the police and local NGOs, we are hoping to enjoy peaceful celebration of New Year without noise and air pollution this time too,” said state home minister R Lalzirliana.
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