New Delhi: Sydney in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand were among the world's first major cities to ring in 2024, with revelers cheering spectacular fireworks displays that lit up the skies over Sydney Harbor and New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower.
Hong Kong followed suit with a majestic and eye-catching display of light and fireworks for nearly 10 minutes as 2023 gave way to 2024. India, now the most populated country in the world, enters New Year with celebrations and over a billion hopes and dreams its people aspire to achieve in 2024.
Catch all the live updates as India and the rest of the world usher in 2024
Rajinikanth greets fans gathered outside his Chennai residence on New Year: Superstar Rajinikanth made a special appearance to greet his fans who gathered outside his Chennai residence to wish him on New Year.", "Several pictures and videos from his residence went viral on social media.", "Rajinikanth can be seen dressed in white Kurta Pyjama."
PM Modi extends heartiest greetings: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the New Year on Monday wished people prosperity, peace, and wonderful health. In a post on X, Modi said, "Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all." In his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on Sunday, the PM urged the countrymen to maintain the spirit of self-reliance in 2024 as well.
Srinagar celebrates New Year with great fervour: Braving sub-zero temperatures, hundreds of locals and tourists thronged the iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk on New Year's eve in Srinagar. As the Sun set over 2023 for the last time, the refurbished Ghanta Ghar square started to come alive with New Year celebrations. While assemblies at Ghanta Ghar prior to 2019 were mostly protests or secessionist in nature, Sunday's gathering was different.
Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', Ayodhya rings in New Year:Scores of people gathered at Ayodhya's famous Lata Mangeshkar Chowk on Sunday to ring in the new year amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram'. A group of local residents began streaming in by 11 pm on Sunday night at the iconic roundabout to click selfies and photos. As soon as the clock struck 12 am, a motley group came together and cheered 'Happy New Year' and some later chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'.
Imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny sends New Year greetings:Despite being in a long jail sentence in Siberia, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said in his New Year message that he does not feel lonely and is in a "great" mood, but he still misses spending time with his family and friends in person, CNN reported.
Karachi rings in New Year with gunfire, 11 injured: Karachi celebrated the beginning of 2024 with celebratory aerial gunfire, leaving 11 people injured in several parts of the city, according to ARY News. Following the nation's New Year's festivities, Karachi police issued a warning to those celebrating by threatening to prosecute them for acts of terrorism, including aerial fire.
This new year, let us pledge to build prosperous nation, says President Murmu: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted citizens on the eve of the new year and asked them to take a pledge to build a prosperous society and nation. The arrival of the new year is an occasion to move forward with new resolutions and goals, she said in a message.
The president has sent her greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of new year, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "May the year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for all. May we continue to contribute to the progress of our country. Let us welcome the new year and take a pledge to build a prosperous society and nation," Murmu said.
On the joyous occasion of new year, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," Murmu said.
Rashtrapati Bhavan illuminated with colourful lights
Thousands of cops patrol Mumbai:Elaborate arrangements are in place to ensure New Year celebrations in Mumbai pass off peacefully, a top police official said on Sunday. Satyanarayan Chowdhary, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), said 11,000 police personnel, 2000 officers, 22 deputy commissioners of police and 45 assistant commissioners of police have been deployed for the purpose.
He said some 20 platoons of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), 15 platoons of Law and Order Reserve, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Quick Response Team (QRT) are in place to deal with emergencies and maintain peace. Around 5,000 CCTV cameras will keep an eye on celebrations, including at heavily patronised sites like Gateway of India, Marine Drive, beaches etc, with live footage being monitored from the main and regional control rooms, the official said. Police will be patrolling every area of the city, he added.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pravin Padwal said people are urged not to drink and drive. "They must follow all traffic norms while celebrating. They must wear seat belts and adhere to the rule of helmets for rider and pillion. Some roads will be closed, while some will have diversions. Some places have been designated as no-parking zones, including Marine Lines, Worli Seaface, Juhu beach, so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic," he said. More than 1,200 traffic policemen and 150 officers will be on the field to monitor New Year celebrations, Padwal informed.
Himachal CM Sukhu extends New Year wishes to people
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended New Year greetings to people and tourists at Shimla's Mall Road on Sunday evening. The chief minister was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues as he took a stroll at Mall Road and later visited the Winter Carnival' at the Ridge on New Year's eve.
Shimla records 50-60 per cent occupancy on New Year's Eve, 'lowest in 40 years':Prediction of weekend snow and the chief minister's directions not to be harsh with drunk revelers on New Year failed to woo tourists to Shimla which recorded 50-60 per cent occupancy, "the lowest in the last 40 years". Last year, Shimla had recorded more than 80 per cent occupancy on New Year. The hotel and allied industries were pinning hopes on 'white New Year' but chances of snowfall appear very bleak.
While, the Mall Road and The Ridge in the heart of the city are abuzz with tourists as winter carnival turned the place into a fair with lights and cultural bonanza being organised but tourist footfall has not converted in room occupancy in hotels, said Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president M K Seth.
The occupancy is about 50-60 per cent which is the lowest in the last 40 years and even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourist rush on New Year was more than this time, he told the PTI. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had directed to follow the slogan of 'Atithi Devo Bhava', facilitate the tourists and make adequate arrangements and proper plans in all districts for smooth flow of traffic.
Delhi Police deploys 10,000 personnel to maintain law and order:The Delhi Police is geared up to tackle any nuisance and law and order condition in the city on New Year's Eve while the traffic police have deployed more than 2,500 personnel for smooth movement of vehicles, officials said on Sunday. According to the police, more than 10,000 personnel will be deployed on the ground to curb hooliganism and traffic violations. As many as 250 teams of the Delhi Traffic Police have been deployed to curb drunk driving, officials said.
With Agency inputs
