Where R U going for this New Year NIGHT?

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Fashion fraternity too scared to party this year

New Delhi: The fashion fraternity may be known for its late night parties, but in the shadow of the Mumbai terror attack, it is still unsure about New Year Eve plans. Most designers and models are planning a quiet celebration with family and friends.

"I will stay with my family as this year people are still scared to go out for security reasons and most of the New Year Eve parties have been cancelled. Also most of my designer friends are opting for family gatherings," designer Abhishek Dutta told IANS over phone from Kolkata.

Designer Charu Parasher too is not in a mood to party and celebrate but she will make sure that it is a family get-together.

In the wake of the Nov 26 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed over 170 lives, many designers and models are shying away from partying at the popular sun and sand destination Goa.

"I had planned to go to Goa long back but now I am quite scared because of the terror attacks. I really want to go there as it is great fun to be there on the New Year Eve but now I am wondering whether I should go ahead with the idea or not," said model Amanpreet Wahi.

Esha Gupta, another model, agreed with Wahi and said: "I have been told by my friends to drop the idea of celebrating in Goa but I do not want to miss the fun of New Year Eve parties, so I will try to make it. Right now I am in a dilemma."

Delhi Fashion Week consultant Sumeet Nair plans to go to Goa for two weeks.

"I have been travelling a lot and now is the right time to give it a break and spend some quality time with my family. I will not indulge in hard core parties but this is the right time to sit back and relax," Nair said.

There are also some designers who are in a mood to explore and spend time close to nature.

"I will be going to Saat taal near Nainital where there is no network coverage and I will have the luxury of not having my cell phone - no irritating calls, just nature, friends and the perfect atmosphere to relax and chill," said designer Samanth Chauhan.

"I have been going to this place for the past three years and it is really beautiful. We live in tents, cook and go trekking," he added.

For designer duo Parvesh and Jai, New Year celebrations mean going to a place that their friends have recommended.

"We are going to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan as we have heard a lot about it from my friends so this time we decided to visit that place. I know it is not an exciting plan for the New Year but this is what excites us," Parvesh said.

For some veteran designers, New Year Eve is not a big deal.

"I am doing nothing special on this day as I like to be with myself, so it will be like any other day. I will read a book near a fireplace as I am on a reading spree now. The last book I finished was Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' and I just loved it," Ritu Beri told IANS.

Leena Singh of the designer duo Ashima-Leena plans on some meditation on New Year Eve.

"I will be meditating and talking to God as I am very spiritual and believe in connecting with the almighty. I will pray for world peace and happiness for everyone I am associated with," Singh said.