Decoration for New year with colourful lights at Plaza Sector 17 Chandigarh on Wednesday, December 30 2015. Express photo by Sahil Walia
It’s that time of the year again— a day to look back at the year gone by, and a date to look forward to with new hopes and aspirations. It’s also the perfect time to spend with family, friends and sit back and enjoy the end of 2015 with some magical moments, as the city gears up for a night of parties, music shows, special spreads by chefs, Sufi evenings…Take your pick.
On December 31, at Taj, Chandigarh, Bollywood is the theme of ‘Mumbai Nights’ at the banquets’ lawn, with a DJ and anchor to recreate an evening of the magic of movies. International dancers and the beats of the dhol promise to keep you on your toes.
At Malt and Co at The Piccadily, Sufi band Arrz will usher in a soulful evening, while Nawab Wajir will be playing golden oldies. Here, there’s also a TV party, where you can see yourself live on FTV. If you want to sit under the stars, and welcome the New Year outdoors, the Brooklyn Central has a heated outdoor courtyard, with party props, a festive menu, select music and a surprise at 12 midnight.
For those in a Punjabi mood —Malkit Singh will be performing at Chandigarh Club, while ‘Big Bangers’ Money Aujla, B Maestro and Stylish Singh along with Sufi sensation Manak Ali will be performing at Chandigarh Press Club. At the Bella Vista, there is a liquid buffet, with many hotels and restaurants offering taxis and cars for you to go back home safe. The JW Marriott has perfect getaway options such as a grand event at the ballroom, a two-night stay in a luxury room, and a sumptuous spread. And if you won’t be stepping out, and enjoying a quaint evening with friends and a bonfire at home, many restaurants have home delivery deals for the special night.
The Back Room in Sector 34 has a line-up of artists to bring in 2016, and Carpe Diem promises an eventful evening. For those who want to be part of some community efforts, NGO SabTera Foundation will be taking its underprivileged children for a gala picnic. Helping Hands, another NGO, will visit Prabh Aasra on January 1 with woollens, blankets and medicines. The students of Vatsal Chaya Trust will visit the The Open Hand on January 1, and also watch some children’s films by INTACH. Meanwhile, the members of the Chandigarh Creative Cinema Circle will be holding a closed private screening of films, as a tribute to the poet and cultural activist Vidrohi who resided under a tree for three decades on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. The award-winning film, ‘Main Tumhara Kavi Hoon’, was made on him in 2011 by Gwalior-based Nitin Pamnani. Theatre director Chakresh Kumar has planned a treat for audiences on December 31, as the members of his group Alankar Theatre, will gather at various markets, and involve the public in their work.
“We will begin with an actor dropping a coin or note, and another actor stepping in to claim it. The argument will involve the public, and bring forth new dialogues, with the actors quietly stepping out of the scene, and watching the public play a part,’’ smiles Kumar.
It’s a new year, and it demands a new calendar — Nitin Rai Chaudhary’s NRC Calendar’s 4th instalment. Chaudhary, founder of #PhotoTravelExplore, has featured Tosh in Himachal Pradesh over the 12 months. The calendar has 12 pictures clicked from travelling to Tosh twice in different weathers.
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At the city park in Sector 68, Mohali, the artists of New Theatre will involve people in dance, painting, yoga, meditation and a cultural programme from 1 to 5 pm on December 31.
If yoga and meditation are your way of welcoming the new year, then there is an evening of asanas, pranayam and meditation sessions by Yogananda in Sector 10. The spas of the city, too, have some off-beat deals for you to sit back and relax and look at 2016 with a brand-new perspective. Have a safe New Year’s Eve.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More
4 min read
Decoration for New year with colourful lights at Plaza Sector 17 Chandigarh on Wednesday, December 30 2015. Express photo by Sahil Walia
