Mumbai (The Hindu): The two festivals of Eid-e-Milad and Christmas were celebrated with much fervour on Friday. Given the long weekend, the police said the festivities were quieter this year with fewer or no snarls on the roads, as many people had left Mumbai for a short vacation.

As opposed to incidents of rash and negligent driving last year, the city witnessed no untoward incidents this year.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Milind Bharambe said, “Last night was very peaceful. Traffic was smooth despite the festivities. The city did not witness any rash and negligent accident.”

But with fewer people in the city, business of hotels dipped. Aman Mathur, manager of Marine Plaza hotel, said, “I think the number of people reduced starkly this year. Our Christmas-eve party was empty and my colleagues told me the same story for other hotels as well.”

Chandrahas Shetty, member of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, said, “This year, the festivals came during the long weekend, so people went out of the city to celebrate. Hotels did not see much footfall because of it.”

The noise pollution level too was low. Sumaira Abdulali, convener of Awaaz Foundation, said, “Several trucks did not carry loudspeakers and/or did not play music. Slogans not to play music were displayed and announcements to keep discipline and avoid music were made. The maximum noise level was at Byculla, but much lower than the level on January 2015, which was at JJ Hospital.”

Much of the festivities revolved around the places of worship, where there was no dearth of footfalls. Christiana George, a Bandra resident, said, “The entire family celebrated the birth of baby Jesus. We always go for the midnight mass, sing carols, and dance. The chill in the city has added flavour to the celebrations and made it fun to sit on the Mount Mary steps and sing carols loudly and enjoy ourselves.”

Sahiba Bibi, a septuagenarian who frequently visits Haji Ali Dargah, said, “The Dargah is beautifully lit on Eid and looks marvellous amidst the sea. This time it has come at a time when children have school vacations. I think this year more people have visited the Dargah.”

Many had been waiting for the festival, even training for it. Havier Rodriges said, “My grandparents have been practising to sing in the church for the midnight mass since a month.”

Shabbir Calcuttawala, a businessman, said, “Eid celebrations entail offering our prayers and then going to the mall with the family to shop and buy new clothes. The festival has come at a time when the New Year is around the corner so we are shopping, eating out, and enjoying ourselves.”

People also made use of the festivals to reach out to the less privileged. There was many a Santa Claus in different parts of Mumbai bringing in cheer. From malls and multiplexes to parks and roadside eateries, Santa was around the corner in many parts. In one such instance, children aged between three and 10, playing at Shivaji Park, were overjoyed at the sudden presence of a Santa, who came over with a bagful of goodies. Many queued up for selfies with him, even as others trailed him as he headed to another park.

Photo credit: The Hindu