Last Day of the year in Mumbai.

Mumbai is ready for the biggest party of the year. All the stages and venues are already set for the party and some NGO’s have started “Don't Drink and Drive” campaigns. Mumbai is always ready for everything, except for the showers and floods that happen every year.

Back to the topic. Here’s the list that talks all about the Mumbaikars and their last night of the year.

Party all night
The DJ’s are ready with all the hits from the year and the party goers have been planning this from a long time. Among these, are some people planning from some years, saving their salaries for the night. Whatever be the situation, the moral is- an unlimited alcohol needs better planning.

The Last Supper.
I have a special respect for people that fall under this category. These are the people who like to seize the moment, no matter what. All the hotels and restaurant’s have long waiting queue’s. The ones who manage to get a table probably are the ones who enter first in the local as soon as it reaches the platform and manage to get the window seat.

Marine Drive, Juhu Beach and Carter Road gang. 
Some people think that its the end of the year, so let us celebrate with more beer and some think lets celebrate with more unknown people. This thought of celebrating together can only explain gathering of the crowds at these places. These people love Mumbai and love to celebrate it with all.

Home not Alone
Families meet for dinner and ‘not yet reached puberty’ gang for the 31st waali 2 min noodles and coke. College going people find a friend's empty apartment and end up spending the first day of the next year cleaning the alcohol bottles from the flat.

Some people do end up watching their favourite series or reading a book because they don’t intend to go for a party or they couldn’t come up with a defence for their mom’s “saal ka last day toh humare saath spend karo beta”, “we will have fun, enjoy with us” ,“this is not our Indian Culture” and other sorts of traps.

Building ka terrace party and bike ride group. 
There are only two times in a year that you visit your beloved terrace i.e. on 14th Jan and 31st Dec( unless you go to keep your home made papad’s for drying in the terrace sunlight). Chinese lanterns and fire crackers are the stars at this time along with the beer. Before going to the terrace, there is this ritual of going on a bike ride which aims to get a demographic on the people waiting for a table at the restaurant and which restaurants are in demand.

Finally, the Saal ki aakhri raat, Sitaroon ke saath. 
Watch the show and go to sleep brigade. I have nothing to say about these people. These people might have had a tough year, as they chose to watch singers do the lipsync on the songs they have listened to more than hundred times a year and dealing with the hosts that try hard to put in dry comments and jokes after every sentence.

But not to forget

“ Till mid-night and beyond we work” services. 
The hotels and bars that you go to, the drivers that drive you home safely even when you are not in your senses to tell the path to your home, and other people employed at the same sort of jobs earn on this day with the hopes of fulfilling their dreams for the next year. Actually, it is their different way of partying and keeping up their Mumbai dream alive.

Not to forget the police officers and traffic police who ensure your safety. Their parties are the best. They have a party by interacting with you on the road if you turn out to be drunk behind the wheel. Wish them a beautiful year too.

It is difficult to celebrate a new year in a city where 25 million people come out with the same goal. Yet its not that hard, we Mumbaikars have been dealing with it almost everyday.

P.S: Please don’t feel offensive about my thoughts and evaluations. I am a Mumbaikar and I have been there done that all. Wishing you all a safe and happy New year. Don’t Drive if you are Drunk.