Hyderabadis choose home comforts over crowds for New Year's Eve celebrations

Hyderabad: All hotels, restaurants, function halls, clubs and party places in Hyderabad are gearing up for New Year’s Eve parties.

Yet there is a growing section of people who want to stay home, catch a movie or the year’s events on TV, avoid traffic, drunk drivers and police checkpoints and just spend time with family and friends indoors.

Food and snacks will be ordered from caterers and restaurants close by and for great home cooks, this is the perfect opportunity to show off their skills. At home, parents can keep an eye on their young ones and spend time with their parents and elderly relatives too. Many are content in watching the New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world on television, rather than adding to the pollution and scaring neighbourhood animals by going out and lighting crackers.

Places of worship

Others are happy to go to places of worship. Arundhati Ann Gandikota, the director of Learning Lyceumm, said, “New Year’s Eve is a fragile, shared moment that humanity holds with bated breath. It's a moment when the past year’s struggles give way to a strong promise of hope. In this space, we are not just celebrants–we are dreamers, warriors and seekers of redemption. For me, the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve is at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Kompally with thousands of people. I bring with me gratitude for the Almighty, for His favour and protection in the year that was, and it fills me with hope for the year to come. As the clock strikes twelve, voices are raised in praise, worship and prayer. It's a moment shared and felt by and for all. I come back home around 1:30 am to friends and family and barbeque going on. We as a family then look at our promise cards, our goals from the year gone by to see how far we've come and do a quick gratitude list. We pick our promise cards for the new year and do a quick goal setting for the year to come.”

A different celebration

Mira Pawar, a freelance writer, author and tutor said, “This year, I wish to celebrate the New Year differently. As age is catching up, I have mellowed down with my choice of music. In the past, my New Year’s Eve was spent with friends and family, accompanied by loud music—the louder, the better! However, this time, I would like to gather my people to reminisce over midnight tea, coffee, or any drink of our choice, creating a quieter and more meaningful celebration as we welcome the New Year together.”

Early to bed

Anu Prasad, a former senior teacher, said, “Regarding New Year celebrations, it is better to usher it in with a group of friends at home rather than chase illusory happiness, late night eating, braving traffic jams and drunken driving! I will spend the time at home, either reading a book or watching Netflix, followed by sleeping early and waking up refreshed and ready for my Yoga class.”

Major Vijay Uppal said, “We love ringing in the New Year in the comfort of our home. Nothing fancy, just old-fashioned home-cooked food and a drink or two.” “We turn the clock ahead by two hours or so, welcome the New Year at midnight while going to bed at 10 pm like we do every day. So, we have the best of two worlds,” he said humorously.

Colony celebrations

Manognya Reddy, principal project manager at Oracle India, said, “We celebrate with a few friends in and around our colony, in one of the homes, and avoid travelling on the road for obvious reasons.”

Vijaya Naidu, a homemaker, said, “We have been home birds for decades during every New Year’s Eve bash. The close family and friends party is a wonderful concept which we celebrate with full josh. While we are awake to spirited karaoke nights, my husband sleeps before midnight and we need to wake him up handing over a glass of wine to wish him ‘Happy New Year’. The mobiles and TV are both switched off so there is no diversion from boozing, snacking, singing and dancing. Just one party game is organized where couples are not split but take part together. Glorious moments of togetherness are shared.”

Counting blessings

Gladys, co-founder of Gateway Overseas Education and Immigration Consultancy, Hyderabad, said, “New Year is a time to reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness throughout the past year and hope for greater things ahead with faith and love. I usually spend the start of each New Year in the watch night service along with my family and friends and this year would be no exception. The service timings of NLAG Kompally church are held in such a way that a huge crowd with drunken drivers from party zones, clubs and pubs can be avoided. I’m very much looking forward to this New Year celebration and intend to spread kindness and be grateful for all that God has done for me and my loved ones in 2024.”