So what is it about 31st December that makes us celebrate each year? Its just another day, another date. Sure it marks the end of a year and the start of a new one, but really - what is the big deal? Another year goes by, but was it really that different from the last one? In the words of Simon and Garfunkel - "After changes upon changes we are more or less the same". So perhaps you had a really big reason to celebrate - maybe you got married, or had a child, or got that dream job or that promised promotion finally materialised. Perhaps there was this ONE big event that happened this year and so you want to celebrate. But if you think about it, every year has at least one such event - which makes us want to celebrate, or in some cases thank God that the year has finally ended and welcome the new year.

Starting late evening we begin to congregate at homes, hotels, clubs and pubs across the land, The mood is merry, the mind is light, joy is in the air. We drink, we dance, we pray and we welcome the new year. Some of us make resolutions - this year I will quit smoking - this year I will lose weight - this year I will break 1000 coconuts if I get XYZ. Most of these resolutions rarely make it into February, but a few do last the distance. We then wait for the next 10 - 11 months to make the same resolutions again, as if the rest of the year is simply not worthy to make a fresh start.

So what is it about 31st December? Why do we need a specific date in a calendar to make a fresh start? Why do we need the midnight traffic jam to realise that Now is the best time of your life? Why does humanity collectively decide to have a blast only on this one date?

I guess it does have something to do with the numeric change in our time keeping. The end of the year, the end of a decade, the start of a new decade, the end of a millenia or the start of one is all about the numeric change in our time and date. Something about 09 becoming 10 makes us all go weak in the knees and want to party till the break of dawn. My theory is that it all boils down to hope. A new morning, a new day, a new year signify a fresh start and somehow mysteriously make us forget at least for sometime the ups and downs of our lives, renewing in us a spirit and vigour to face any challenges life may throw our way. This year was good and I hope next year is better. This year sucked and I hope next year is better. This year I put on weight and I hope next year I lose some. This year I met a girl and I hope next year I get married. This year I got divorced and I hope next year I meet someone else. This year I got laid off and I hope next year I get a better job. Its always the same four letter word - hope!

Hope does make the world go around. We even awarded the Nobel Peace prize solely based on hope. Without hope, we would constantly be reminded of the inequalities that surround us every where and every day. Hope may be rose tinted glasses, but it is something we all need in large doses. So here's looking forward to a great year for everyone. Love luck, health, joy and happiness for all. And while I am at it - no more war, no more poverty, peace and goodwill for all nations and races, a safe planet for our children, a green planet for our future, no more hatred, humanity united for the common good and no more hangovers. Sounds like a tall order, but one can always hope!