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New Year welcomed with prayers for welfare

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 1 - Citizens welcomed the New Year with aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous Assam, offering their prayers for the well-being of their families and neighbours and by extending greetings to friends and acquaintances.

On the first morning of the New Year, hundreds of citizens thronged various places of worship, seeking the blessings of the Divine for peaceful and prosperous days ahead.

Temples, churches and other places of worship witnessed heavy rush of people of all age groups since early morning. So also the entertainment points recorded a huge footfall of the public. People made a beeline for the bank of the Brahmaputra, the restaurants and parks and other entertainment centres.

�This year, I want to see all the problems of the State resolved peacefully. For Assam to develop on all fronts, it is important that peace reigns in the State,� said Pabindra Das, a resident of Wireless area who started his day by offering prayers at a community prayer hall.

Echoing the sentiments of Das, another citizen of Hengerabari, Putali Kayastha said that the burning issues of the State must be resolved with real earnestness. According to Kayastha, the people of Assam have waited long enough for their problems to end. �Peace and development should be the mantra in the New Year. We also want corruption, which has proliferated so alarmingly, to end,� said Kayastha.

Most citizens expressed their aspiration to see the State making rapid strides in all fronts.

With health consciousness catching the fancy of the people like never before, many started their day with the New Year resolution of following a healthy lifestyle. Though this section of the citizens partied late into the night on the eve of New Year, they hit the road early in the morning for jogging. �What I feel is that everyone should take their health very seriously. Under the present circumstances, when stress has emerged as one of the major factors for so many illnesses, we should focus on inculcating a healthy lifestyle,� said Pallavi Barthakur, a professional based in Guwahati.

Many people also opted to spend the day at places reputed for natural beauty and tranquility. Chandubi, with its scenic beauty, was the choice of the nature lovers. Resorts at Sonapur also attracted a lot of people.

On the other hand, certain neighbourhoods joined in community feasting to welcome the New Year with gastronomic delight and by strengthening the bond of camaraderie over their favourite food.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Unemployed Association has wished the people of the State a happy New Year.

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