Weddings, birthday bashes in the city cancelled or postponed as rains play spoilsport

Model-turned-actress Nikita Rawal was excited about celebrating her 23rd birthday last night and had planned a lavish party with friends.

Her favourite cake, eats and the best bubbly were ordered to make it a night to remember. Unfortunately, incessant rains that lashed the city on Tuesday and yesterday spoilt her plans.
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"I had to cancel the party. My friends said they won't be able to attend," grumbled Nikita.

Many others too have either cancelled or postponed their celebrations following the heavy downpour and the BMC's advisory to stay indoors on high tide days (see box).
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Rishi Puri, group general manager, The Ramada Powai and Residence Hotel and Convention Centre at Powai, says people have become cautious. "After the 26/7 deluge, nobody wants to take a risk," explained Rishi.

Wedding on hold?

Incidentally, auspicious dates for marriages also fall on high tide days.

"People are unsure about getting married on these days, fearing that the rains will play spoilsport," said Girish Thappar, owner of A-Z Wedding Planners in Sion.

Added Ratna Malhotra, owner of Revazz Wedding Planners in Kandivli, "It becomes difficult to find labour and transportation during the monsoon."

Mukta Fernandes, unit sales manager at Mayfair Banquets, Worli, said, "Our customers are not sure how many people will turn up at the wedding. But we have to bow down to their request," explained Mukta.
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Plans are on

But there are others who will go ahead with the celebrations despite MET forecasts.
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Director Naseem Akhtar, who has organised the Mr and Miss Andheri contest between July 23 and 26 said, "I don't believe in what the MET or the BMC predicts.

What's important is that the participants are present on that day," said Akhtar.

"According to the MET, the city was to receive heavy showers by June 7, but it started raining only by June end," said a smiling Thappar.

Watch out!