Obama turns party pooper

With firecracker ban u00a0in the area and loudspeaker, liquor permits on hold, Radio Club near Taj fears cancellation of its Diwali festivities

The Diwali Ball at the Radio Club could be another casualty of the US President's visit on November 6.

With the city turning into a virtual fortress ahead of the high profile visit and reports pouring in about road closures, no-go zones and heavy security, the organisers believe the Obama visit may turn out to be a literal party pooper for them.

Advocate Manoj Mirchan-dani, who is the joint treasurer at the club, told MiD DAY, "We have already sent invites to the members last month.


The Diwali Ball at Radio Club last year. This year though, the club may have to call off the event due to restrictions in the wake of President Obama's visit

Though we haven't received any intimation from police, we are sure it will come soon and we may have to call off the Diwali ball.

Also fire crackers will be restricted due to security reason." The ball was expected to be attended by over 1,000 people.

The rules

The first signs of the difficulty came when the state excise department held up the liquor permits in anticipation of orders for not issuing permits to joints in South Mumbai on days when Obama would be visiting the city.
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D G Mali, deputy superintendent of state excise, said, "We are awaiting for instructions from our superiors and as per their directions necessary implementations would be done."



Even the local police have put the club's request for using loudspeakers for the function on hold, stating that a decision on the whether to grant permission for the event or not would only be taken by the first week of November.

Colaba Senior Police Inspector A K Ingale said, "We have not decided anything yet, it is to premature to make any statement."

However, officials at Radio Club are sure that the restrictions will be imposed on them at the last moment, affecting the event.