INDIA: The world’s eight billion people on January 1 ushered in 2023 and farewell a turbulent 12 months marked by war in Europe, stinging price rises, Lionel Messi’s world cup glory, and the deaths of Queen Elizabeth, Pele and former Pope Benedict.
Many cut loose this New Year’s Eve after a few pandemic-dampened years, setting aside pinched budgets and a virus that is increasingly forgotten but not gone.
Sydney was be among the first major cities to ring in 2023, restaking its claim to be the “New Year’s Eve capital of the world” after two years of lockdown and coronavirus-muted festivities. Australia’s borders have reopened and the crowds gathering at Sydney’s sparkling harbour to watch 100,000 pyrotechnics illuminate the southern sky were expected to number more than one million.
In Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, a family-friendly fireworks display along the Yarra River as dusk fell preceded a second session at midnight.
The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first country to greet the New Year, with the clock ticking into 2023 one hour ahead of neighbuors including New Zealand.
In Auckland, large crowds gathered below the Sky Tower, where a 10-second countdown to midnight preceded fireworks. The celebrations in New Zealand’s largest city were well-received after COVID-19 forced them to be canceled a year ago.
Meanwhile, dozens of cities in Croatia, including the capital Zagreb, cancelled New Year fireworks after pet lovers warned about the damaging effects of noise and gases on animals and people, calling for more environmentally-aware celebrations.
Mumbaikars on Saturday stepped out of homes in large numbers to celebrate New Year’s Eve with joy and abandon after a gap of two years.
As dusk fell, thousands of people gathered at the Gateway of India, Marine Drive and the Girgaum Chowpatty beach in South Mumbai. - PTI
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