Shillong, Jan. 1 -- At the stroke of midnight, a group of revellers welcomed the New Year in this mountainous state capital of Meghalaya by plunging into icy water at Crinoline swimming pool.
Although this time the New Year's celebration was similar to previous years, however, a group of 32 revellers, including three women plunged into the pool dumped with 9 tonnes of ice blocks each weighing 50 kg.
"Plunging into the pool is to welcome the New Year right from the very first second with a prayer to God to give us strength to face the challenges of life," said Michael Syiem, the man behind the midnight dip.
For 28 consecutive years now, Syiem, the chief of Forever Young Sports Club, has been organising the midnight swim in Shillong.
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