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Goa to celebrate New Year
31 Dec,
GOA: From hippie huts, trance
music and late night rave parties; Goa has grown to become the ultimate
New Year holiday destination in India. The sky is clear, the sun warm,
but there’s a chill breeze scented with salt and palm; sure to rejuvenate
you more than any spa can do. “Everyone loves to come to Goa, it’s the
best place to be in India, so obviously we will have a lot of people,”
designer Wendell Rodrigues told ET.
The Ambanis, however, prefer
a family get-together. According to Dattaraj V (Raj) Salgaocar, managing
director, VM Salgaocar and Brothers, and brother-in-law to the Ambanis,
the family is looking forward to a ‘quiet evening at home’. “I’m from Goa
so obviously I will be here for New Year, most of our relatives from Bombay
are also coming down to celebrate New Year with the family,” he said.
Vijay Mallya, too, will be
here to usher in the New Year. The business baron, known for his fondness
for this tiny coastal state, will be having a private party at his ‘Kingfisher
Villa’ in Candolim for the 700-odd high-profile guests coming down from
India and abroad. The guest-list will include the who’s-who of high society,
politics, Bollywood and fashion; but superstar Shah Rukh Khan — brand ambassador
for Mr Mallya’s new Team Force India of the 2008 Formula One season is
not likely to be part of it. Lionel Richie, who performed during Mr Mallya’s
50th birthday last year, is believed to be giving a special performance
for the New Year too. “It’s a private party for Mr Mallya’s close friends.
Obviously there will be lot of attention given to make it a memorable event,”
adds a source.
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.Most resorts have organised
theme parties like ‘retro nite’, ‘Indian theme’, ‘Arabian night’ or a simple
musical evening for the company honchos, who are coming down for the year-end
fest. According to Pankaj Mathur, general manager, Cidade de Goa which
has many company heads dropping in mainly from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore,
the demand is to give a “range of music from rock and roll to Bollywood
numbers; from some slow ball room to dancing post mid-night numbers;” top
it all with good performance by international dance troops. |
“The idea is to have enough
going around to keep the guests moving, but the entire festivity has to
be one that’s refreshing,” said Ramiah G Daniels, executive assistant manager
— food & beverage of The Leela (Goa) which is also fully booked by
actors and corporate clients. Sushmita Sen has also booked into a plush
resort in south Goa.
While most stars want to
usher in the New Year with a big bang, for the Bachchan family it looks
to be a quiet affair. Earlier, the Bachchans and Amar Singh had booked
a place in a five-star resort in South Goa, but cancelled it later following
the Teji Bachchan. “We had a large booking made for a grand party with
many guests both from film and corporate industry, for a party to be thrown
by Big B. But all this stands cancelled now,” said Vikram Antao, Intercontinental
(Goa).
The state expects nearly
15 lakh tourists from December 23 to January 2. Hotels have hiked room
rates by over 50%, with rates in a five-star starting at Rs 25,000 and
up to Rs 1lakh per night for a presidential room. So for those looking
for some good year-end break, just pack your bags and have a blast. |
