India celebrates NY with fervour

PEOPLE THRONG TOURIST SPOTS, RELIGIOUS PLACES

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Large crowds flocked to shopping malls, entertainment centres and tourist spots and many visited the places of worship as people across the country celebrated the New Year on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and chief ministers of several states extended New Year greetings to people and wished for prosperity and harmony.

In the national Capital, several roads, especially near the India Gate and Connaught Place, witnessed massive traffic snarls and serpentine queues formed at key metro stations on the New Year's Day.

Other key spots attracting large crowds included Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Prachin Hanuman Mandir at Connaught Place, Akshardham temple, and Jhandewalan temple.

According to a police officer, their main focus was on India Gate, Ashoka Road, Hanuman Mandir and Connaught Place.

Kajal, who visited Qutub Minar with her family on New Year's Day, expressed her frustration after waiting for over an hour to get entry tickets. "After waiting for so long, all our excitement has faded," she said.

The famous markets in Delhi also witnessed a large number of shoppers.