This is question that is asked by every one during the last few days of December. A question I try to avoid.

I don't understand why such a fuss is created for the New Year. The sun that sets on New Year eve is the same; the sun that rises on the following morning is same. Nothing different happens on the New Year. We don't wake up any younger, intelligent or enlightened on the 1st of January than why are we wasting our money and energy on these things.

New year is just another day as far as I am concerned and the only different thing is that now I have to make a conscious effort to write 2004 as the year not 2003.

People who have a reason to celebrate are the people who gain from it like the hotels, resorts and such places. Not to forget the wine shops. The wine shops do a brisk business on New Year eve. I remember Dec 31 of 2001, Rs 4,000 crores worth of alcohol was sold in Delhi, 400 extra policeman were deployed to catch drunk drivers and 10 such people were caught or should I say 10 people refused to bribe the cops.