Pondy shuts down, liquor shops dont

PUDUCHERRY: Being in Puducherry around New Year is supposed to be fun. I had none of it. Cyclone Thane, was not just a party pooper, it sent Pondy packing into darkness and destruction.Shortly after Thane hit town, I took a walk around Pondy’s usually picturesque French Quarter. It turned out to be more of a trek than a walk, in the now-battered portion of what resembles the rest of rain-ravaged Pondy.Just as sure as those streets cross at right angles, there was a tree fallen at every intersection. On the Beach Road, water creeped up my shins, even as curious onlookers gathered to see for themselves the destruction.Strolling into another part of town, I found it impossible to get a cup of tea or water or anything to eat. But in true Pondy style, a nu­mb­er of liqu­or shops opened up, even as the town around them struggled to limp back to life.After walking around a lar­ge part of town, I finally managed to find some food and coffee at one of Pondy’s oldest and most respected hotels. Even here, its basement restaurant was inundated.A senior advocate I met at the hotel offered a lift to Expr­ess office. But with no power, no­thing could be done. So, I set out for the road again.By 5 pm, the paralysis eased slowly and the town seemed to breathe again. Now a town reeling from nature’s fury, the usual favourite New Year destination of Pondy will this time cease to notice when the clock strikes 12 to ring in 2012.