Kolkata, Jan 1 (IANS) Somewhat toning down the partying, Kolkatans ushered in 2013 Tuesday on a sombre note as a tribute to the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim.
At a gathering of revellers in the upmarket, British era Park Street – all spruced up for the New Year – hundreds of people carried wreaths and lit candles as a mark of tribute to the gang-rape victim who died Dec 29, 2012, while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
NGO India’s Smile organised a candlelight vigil in which college students and a large number of women participated.
The Kolkata Press Club also joined in the mourning by not organising any event on the New Year’s eve.
On the first day of 2013, hundreds of people thronged popular tourist spots like Alipore Zoo and Victoria Memorial.
Taking advantage of the sunshine that followed days of foggy weather, people enjoyed watching animals and migratory birds at the zoo.
Many Kolkatans travelled to the sea shore of Digha in East Midnapore and world’s largest mangrove at the Sundarbans.
Many offered prayers at Dakhshineswar temple, St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. John’s Church. The cathedral and the church were decorated as people held special prayers and lit candles in memory of the victim.
Pan-Indian followers of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa gathered at the ancient Kali temple at Dakinshewar for Kalpataru Utsav, which is celebrated on this day every year in memory of spiritual guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
It is believed that Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa had gone into a trance Jan 1, 1886, and granted enlightenment to his disciples.
