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Foreign tourist dances around ‘protective’ circle on New Year’s Eve in Shillong, video wins hearts: ‘the respect for personal space and dignity’

A heartwarming video from Shillong has become a viral symbol of public safety and respect, in contrast to a reported incident of harassment in Goa.

3 min readNew DelhiJan 6, 2026 10:00 AM IST

Residents at Khyndai Lad in Shillong’s Police Bazar created a safe and respectful space around the woman

Amid several incidents of concern over women’s safety in India, a video of a foreign tourist dancing in Shillong during New Year celebrations has caught the Internet’s attention, drawing widespread appreciation on social media.

Residents at Khyndai Lad in Shillong’s Police Bazar created a safe and respectful space around the woman, allowing her to enjoy the moment without worrying about her safety.

In the video, the tourist can be seen joyfully dancing amid the New Year crowd as local people form a protective circle around her, and maintain a respectful distance.

Sharing the video, an X handle @Indiamymuse wrote, “A foreign tourist was dancing on Shillong streets, India, and locals formed a protective circle so she could dance freely.”

Watch here:

A foreign tourist was dancing on Shillong streets, India, and locals formed a protective circle so she could dance freely💕 pic.twitter.com/Dh21hwa7ql

— ई (@Indiamymuse) January 5, 2026

The video has gone viral across social media platforms, drawing a deluge of reactions.

“That’s how my city is. This festive season we experienced record breaking tourist. Music , dance and Christmas carol, all were vibing with joy,” a user wrote.

“See how easy it is to be respectful and not intrude on someone’s personal space? This is why I love Shillong. People know how to live and let live,” another user commented.

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“This video healed my inner child. The respect for personal space and dignity! Just incredible. Having lived in the rest of the India, I have to say that our northeastern men are a class apart! Thank you for making her feel safe and protected,” a third user reacted.

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Meanwhile, a tourist was harassed with indecent gestures at Calangute in Goa, following which the state’s tourism department filed a First Information Report (FIR), according to a Times of India report.

The report said the man, in an inebriated state, was recorded suggestively dancing and blocking the woman’s way at a beach shack. The video also captured a Rs 500 note in the man’s mouth, which he offered to the woman, who snatched the money and threw it on the ground.