India joins world to ring in 2012
Sat, 12/31/2011 - 16:07
New Delhi, Jan 1 (IBNS) Sydney's iconic harbour greeted 2012 a few hours early with its usual breathtaking fireworks. At the stroke of midnight in India, the nation of 1.21 billion people followed suit, welcoming it with new hope and celebrations.
The poor and the homeless- the proverbial have-nots- battled another cold winter night to usher in 2012 with stoic acceptance of their reality under open sky.
But all only hoped for a better life and fulfillment of dreams in the new year.
So Facebook, Twitter, mail boxes and mobile phone inboxes overflowed with good wishes.
Across India, in the big cities the restaurants were booked, the discotheques and night clubs were teeming with youngsters and friends assembled in private parties and gatherings for night long revelry.
For once the nation forgot the high dramas in parliament over some anti-corruption bill and grooved with the mood of the new year.
From New York to New Market in Kolkata, the entire world has been decorated with lights, balloons and streamers to welcome the new year.
New Zealand is one of the countries that stepped into 2012 early.
"Happy New Year guys! Here in Auckland is already 1st January 2012! No party for us, had nice dinner with my team.Good night!)) Have fun," Tennis star Elena Vesnina tweeted.
Rough weather may have prevented the party-goers of New Zealand from venturing outside their homes but that did not dampen their festive spirit as the country got tuned to the mood of revelry on Saturday night.
In India, New Delhi marked the occassion amid tight security arrangements. People visited shopping destinations and parks on Saturday.
Similarly, people prepared themselves for the perfect celebration and party in Mumbai.
The chocking inbox of the mobile phones and the flooding homepages of the social networking sites set the mood of celebration and enjoyment in the cool December night.
The entire spirit of Kolkata has accumulated in park Street area as people from all ages are seen celebrating the moment in their own ways.
Disc Jockeys remained busy scratching the latest chart-numbers for the entire night as youths flood the floors to shake their legs and make the last night of the year a memorable one.
The restaurants and cafes served the best delicacies on Saturday as some prefer to spend the moment with their friends and families over a cup of refreshing coffee.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined other top politicians and President of India in wishing the people.
"On this New Year’s Day I do not wish to dwell on the year gone by. Instead, I would like to focus instead on the challenges of the future, so that we can all work together to over come them," he said in a message to the country.
"Our biggest challenge today remains that of banishing poverty, ignorance and disease. Simultaneously, we must work to build an India that holds the promise of prosperity to the many millions of our people who are just beginning to emerge out of poverty. We must remain focused on this fundamental task in the Twelfth Plan period which begins in 2012-13," he said.
The 2011 was the year of Anna Hazare and his team. So the wishes of Anna group centred around resolve to fight corruption.
"Wishing tweeple a very happy new year. May V [you] unitedly make R [our] democracy truly participative, inclusive and accountable in year ahead," posted Kiran Bedi, a key team Anna member, on social networking site.
But all only hoped for a better life and fulfillment of dreams in the new year.
So Facebook, Twitter, mail boxes and mobile phone inboxes overflowed with good wishes.
Across India, in the big cities the restaurants were booked, the discotheques and night clubs were teeming with youngsters and friends assembled in private parties and gatherings for night long revelry.
For once the nation forgot the high dramas in parliament over some anti-corruption bill and grooved with the mood of the new year.
From New York to New Market in Kolkata, the entire world has been decorated with lights, balloons and streamers to welcome the new year.
New Zealand is one of the countries that stepped into 2012 early.
"Happy New Year guys! Here in Auckland is already 1st January 2012! No party for us, had nice dinner with my team.Good night!)) Have fun," Tennis star Elena Vesnina tweeted.
Rough weather may have prevented the party-goers of New Zealand from venturing outside their homes but that did not dampen their festive spirit as the country got tuned to the mood of revelry on Saturday night.
In India, New Delhi marked the occassion amid tight security arrangements. People visited shopping destinations and parks on Saturday.
Similarly, people prepared themselves for the perfect celebration and party in Mumbai.
The chocking inbox of the mobile phones and the flooding homepages of the social networking sites set the mood of celebration and enjoyment in the cool December night.
The entire spirit of Kolkata has accumulated in park Street area as people from all ages are seen celebrating the moment in their own ways.
Disc Jockeys remained busy scratching the latest chart-numbers for the entire night as youths flood the floors to shake their legs and make the last night of the year a memorable one.
The restaurants and cafes served the best delicacies on Saturday as some prefer to spend the moment with their friends and families over a cup of refreshing coffee.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined other top politicians and President of India in wishing the people.
"On this New Year’s Day I do not wish to dwell on the year gone by. Instead, I would like to focus instead on the challenges of the future, so that we can all work together to over come them," he said in a message to the country.
"Our biggest challenge today remains that of banishing poverty, ignorance and disease. Simultaneously, we must work to build an India that holds the promise of prosperity to the many millions of our people who are just beginning to emerge out of poverty. We must remain focused on this fundamental task in the Twelfth Plan period which begins in 2012-13," he said.
The 2011 was the year of Anna Hazare and his team. So the wishes of Anna group centred around resolve to fight corruption.
"Wishing tweeple a very happy new year. May V [you] unitedly make R [our] democracy truly participative, inclusive and accountable in year ahead," posted Kiran Bedi, a key team Anna member, on social networking site.
Celebrities have started wishing their followers in popular micro-blogging sites with their new year wishes.
"2011 will go down in d history of India as d year of CHANGE in d mind set of our people. We'll see tat change taking place in cmng yrs," actor Anupam Kher posted.
Tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, who wife Lara Dutta is expecting, wrote: "Happy New Year friends!! It's going to be a BIG one for me for multiple reasons.... Hope it is the same for you."
Popular Indian novel writer Chetan Bhagat greeted his fans: "Anyway, before the flood of messages start - happy 2012! may the new year be filled with happiness and success for you all!"
"Dearest Tweetos just wanna wish u all a positive,healthy,peaceful n successful 2012..Erase the old start afresh :)Happy New year 2 all," gorgeous Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty posted in a micro-blogging site.
Ace Indian Director Shekhar Kapur tweeted: "I also wish all r politicians a wonderful reflective insightful self evaluating New Year."
The night is buzzing with party spirit and it will continue till Jan 1 night.
"2011 will go down in d history of India as d year of CHANGE in d mind set of our people. We'll see tat change taking place in cmng yrs," actor Anupam Kher posted.
Tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, who wife Lara Dutta is expecting, wrote: "Happy New Year friends!! It's going to be a BIG one for me for multiple reasons.... Hope it is the same for you."
Popular Indian novel writer Chetan Bhagat greeted his fans: "Anyway, before the flood of messages start - happy 2012! may the new year be filled with happiness and success for you all!"
"Dearest Tweetos just wanna wish u all a positive,healthy,peaceful n successful 2012..Erase the old start afresh :)Happy New year 2 all," gorgeous Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty posted in a micro-blogging site.
Ace Indian Director Shekhar Kapur tweeted: "I also wish all r politicians a wonderful reflective insightful self evaluating New Year."
The night is buzzing with party spirit and it will continue till Jan 1 night.
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