” New Year, New Decade, New Vision – 2020 – December 31, 2019.

New Year Holiday has always been embellished with a matchless significance of global nature. A significance that is beyond the ken for many in this World.

          Two aspects stand out to make this great significance :

          1.  New Year Holiday is a Global Holiday unlike any other holiday.

          2.  New Year Holiday does not have its origin from any religious, ethnic, racial, national, or astronomical event or reason unlike any other holiday.

           The passage of time is continuous through the day, through the week, through the month, through the year, through the millennium with no divisions earmarked. Nor is the New Year marked by any lightening, thunder, bugles, or even disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes,  …  ….  It is just we, the human beings, marked the New Year according to our own convenience.

           Ancient Egyptians celebrated September 21 as New Year Day ;  Ancient Greeks celebrated December 21 as New Year Day;  Christians in mediaeval days celebrated March 25 as New Year Day;  Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582, put January 1 as New Year Day. It was immediately accepted by Germany and Denmark, and later by Sweden in 1700. England accepted it in 1752 and that tradition continues till this day.

         As  is evident from the above everyone used his/her way tampering with the calendar. So also were the beliefs held and came to be associated with the day.

          Spanish individuals eat 12 grapes at the stroke of 12 in the strong belief that the year will be providential and profitable. Swiss believe that dropping drops of ice cream on the floor on this day will shower fortune. In Puerto Rico, children throw buckets of water out the window in the belief that it drives away evil spirits. For Dutch, it is doughnuts that bring luck. For Indians it is mango, banana, and jackfruit for health and profits.

           Practices are different but the central belief is that the first thing that one does as above on the New Year Day will prove to be good for the entire year. The central theme also holds it as the most auspicious time to begin the New Year.

          So  what are we expected to do in 2020 ?

          So what will you do for the nation, community, and family ?

          Ponder and resolve  …   …

   ” Dieu avec nous”

   Tuesday, December 31, 2019 –  11.09 a.m. (IST)

   Tidbit :. ” Forget the past,  Plan for the Future”.