1.1.11

I always wonder what the significance of a New Year is. Does anything change except our desire to celebrate this day? This day comes smack in the middle of winter, trees have already shed their leaves; bears are hibernating; dark, damp and cold days symbolize the lazy spirit. In essence everyone tries to conserve their energy to sustain. So what’s special about celebrating this day? Will texting, calling, emailing or saying Happy New Year make the New Year happy for all of us? I don’t know. I don’t think I have an answer except the fact the entire 6 billion plus human being try to reboot themselves in their own way by imagining that some things will magically change starting this day.

The divide between the have’s and have not’s is quite stark in the way this day is celebrated the world over. The have’s generally celebrate by dancing, eating, shopping, making new resolutions and by doing things that are inherently without any significant value to anyone around. The have not’s, any ways, don’t have the resources to celebrate and will pass it like any other day of the year. Have you ever seen a pan handler either in US or in India or any where else ring in the New Year with a dance and song? Atleast, I have never seen one. Do they don’t have the desire to change their status? Don’t they wish that Harry Potter can magically weave his wand and change their fortunes if they say Happy New Year? But does that happen?

So then what does New Year stands for? The only thing that makes some intrinsic value to me for celebrating the New Year day or night (depending upon individuals) is HOPE – that things will change, that a renewed effort will be made to make amends, that the new year resolutions will eventually lead to better individuals and hence a better society in the overall scheme of things. And I am quite sure that if we put sincere effort towards making those changes for good then eventually things would change and this sense of accomplishment(s) will add another dash of HOPE for the next year. The cycle continues and HOPE becomes contagious that finally envelopes the entire humanity making people to celebrate this particular day to be finally more hopeful than last year. In turn, HOPE makes this day the only day in the entire year when the whole world gets a common holiday and break from their routine.

Am I more hopeful than last year or literally just a day before? YES, I am. I lost my maternal grand mother in 2010 to whom I was extremely close but have not been able to meet in last few years and that hurts. However, I am infinitely more hopeful that I will be able to bring more satisfaction for myself in 2011 and happiness to everyone around me especially my immediate and extended family, friends and acquaintance.

I wish all my readers a very happy and prosperous New Year. A very Happy Birthday to Himanshu, my cousin who currently is in Hyderabad and Pankhuri, my niece who is in Delhi. They both share this magical day for their Birthdays, 1.1.11.

What about you? I will be happy to read your thoughts as to what HOPE means for you in the New Year.