A New Year to rejoice, not regret

The last thing any city resident would want to do on New Year’s day on January 1 is to wake up behind bars and that seems to be a distinct possibility for those who do not follow the norms for the NY celebrations laid out in detail by City Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy on Thursday. As the commissioner announced, as many as 8,500 police personnel will be on their toes in the city keeping a close watch on revellers and shoppers in the hours leading to 2023.

In fact the cops know more than anyone else that this is a year when the celebrations are likely to hit a new high after two years of Covid restrictions when social distancing was the norm and free movement not permitted. And the revellers, mostly youth, know quite well that the curbs would be back sooner than later if the Covid surge in China transcends borders and reaches India.

Those used to seeing celebrations in the city, know that drunken driving, over speeding, parties that go far beyond midnight, and most of all youngsters on the streets out to have their share of unbridled fun as long as it lasts, are common occurrences. There is no reason why such spectacles will not be seen this year, which calls for heightened vigil on the part of the cops to make sure the situation particularly in the central parts of the city like MG Road and Brigade Road, favourite spots for crowds, does not go out of control.

Cameras have been installed at vantage points to ensure people do not cross the bounds of decency, which has happened many a time in the past particularly when the roads are teeming with revellers. Spirits are sure to soar high and caution will be the key word to keep in mind. For those driving home after a night of partying, the cops are sure to be out there with their alcometers to check if alcohol levels have crossed the prescribed limits.

So the best thing to do obviously, is to maintain a close watch on your bottle if you are going to be behind the steering wheel while getting home. Like any other year, the cops have announced that the many flyovers will remain out of bounds for traffic. There have been incidents when people have driven or fallen off flyovers and the police department wants to make sure this does not happen.

A word of caution from parents to their young ones to maintain restraint while driving home would go a long way in preventing mayhem on the roads. A safe and joyous celebration is surely possible if one takes proper safeguard and remembers that there are other people out there wanting to have a whiff of the freedom and freshness that the New Year brings