Goa all set to usher in New Year

PANAJI - Hundreds of thousands of Goans and tourists in this beach state are all set to usher in the New Year amidst clanging church bells and the throbbing vibes of dance music.

New Year has a special ring to it in Goa, especially in the coastal areas which are thronged by tourists who rush to the beachside shacks and restaurants to usher in the New Year in the balmy weather on the beaches.

Beach parties and traditional dance balls dot the countryside, with tourists flocking to the former for a more bohemian and wild experience, while locals dressed in their finest outfits mark their attendance at the traditional dance balls after the midnight mass.

Churches offer special New Year midnight masses which are attended by most Christians, who are account for 26 percent of Goa’s 13 lakh population.

Governor S.S.Sidhu and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat have both extended New Year greetings to the people.

Sidhu said that Goa experienced a peaceful 2010 and hoped for an even better 2011.

“The year 2010 was a peaceful year for us in Goa in terms of no serious untoward incident on law and order front and internal security environment. The state continued to maintain its traditional peace and tranquility, which proved useful for the overall development activities and tourism in particular. We should make the year 2011 also another year of peace and harmony in the State,” Sidhu said.

“The New Year dawns with new rays of hopes and horizons. But since we are celebrating Golden Jubilee Year of Goa’s Liberation, this year has achieved special significance and the historic occasion has offered new dimensions to the New Year celebrations,” Kamat said in his message.

“In the last 49 years Goa has marched ahead on the path of progress and the achievements are remarkable. However, without remaining complacent over the success, efforts are being made to scale new heights of progress and prosperity,” he added.