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Sydney's iconic harbor greeted 2012, a few hours early, with its usual display of breathtaking fireworks. At the stroke of midnight in India, the nation of 1.21 billion people followed suit, welcoming the New Year with hope and celebrations.
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While those with the resources and the money partied hard to welcome the New Year, Indians across the country and across the economic spectrum, partied as well as they could, greeting the New Year with joy and anticipation. Meanwhile, the poor and the homeless - the proverbial "have-nots" - battled another cold winter night, to usher in 2012 with a stoic acceptance of their realities. Nevertheless, it could be said that everyone hoped for a better life and the fulfillment of their dreams in 2012.
Social media Web sites, like Facebook and Twitter, and mail boxes on phones and the Internet overflowed with the wishes of friends and families. Across India, restaurants, discotheques and nightclubs were teeming with youngsters in private parties and gatherings, all ready for a long night of revelry.
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The nation forgot the Parliamentary drama of recent days and from New York City to New Market in Kolkata, the world was decorated with lights, balloons and streamers.
One of the first countries to step in to 2012 was New Zealand and while the weather may have prevented too many outdoor parties, the mood was undeniably festive!
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In India, New Delhi marked the occasion amid tight security arrangements. People visited shopping destinations and parks on Saturday. Similarly, people prepared themselves for the perfect celebration and party in Mumbai. Meanwhile, it seemed that almost all of Kolkata flocked to Park Street, where people of all ages were seen celebrating the moment in their own ways.
As the night grew older, the inboxes of mobile phones and the homepages of social networking Web sites grew fuller and more choked with messages.
On a more official note, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior politicians took time out to wish the nation on this occasion.
"On this New Year's Day I do not wish to dwell on the year gone by. Instead, I would like to focus instead on the challenges of the future, so that we can all work together to overcome them," Singh said in his message to the country.
"Our biggest challenge today remains that of banishing poverty, ignorance and disease. Simultaneously, we must work to build an India that holds the promise of prosperity to the many millions of our people who are just beginning to emerge out of poverty. We must remain focused on this fundamental task in the Twelfth Plan period which begins in 2012-13," he added.
In many ways, the year bid adieu to was the year of Anna Hazare and his team. Predictably then, messages from Team Anna centered on their resolve to continue the fight against corruption.
"Wishing tweeple a very happy new year. May V [you] unitedly make R [our] democracy truly participative, inclusive and accountable in year ahead," tweeted Kiran Bedi, a senior Team Anna member.
Finally, a number of celebrities from different fields, including Bollywood and sports, wished their fans through tweets.
"2011 will go down in d history of India as d year of CHANGE in d mind set of our people. We'll see tat change taking place in cmng yrs," actor Anupam Kher posted.
"Happy New Year friends!! It's going to be a BIG one for me for multiple reasons.... Hope it is the same for you," said Mahesh Bhupathi, one of India's most successful tennis professionals, whose wife, Lara Dutta - an actress and a model - is expecting their first child.
"Anyway, before the flood of messages start - happy 2012! may the new year be filled with happiness and success for you all!" tweeted popular Indian novelist Chetan Bhagat.
"Dearest Tweetos just wanna wish u all a positive, healthy, peaceful n successful 2012. Erase the old start afresh Happy New year 2 all," said Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, via Twitter.
Finally, Indian director Shekar Kapur tweeted: "I also wish all r politicians a wonderful reflective insightful self evaluating New Year."
