India: New Year 2013 Welcomed On A Heavy Note!

New Year 2013 had been ushered in on a sad and heavy note throughout India. The horrific gang-rape of a 23 year old girl on a moving public bus in New Delhi on the evening of 16^th December, 2012 had cast a shadow of anger, anguish and grief all over the country. Spontaneous protests broke out mainly in Delhi where the girl battled for life for days and the Young India Movement For Change started spreading to other parts as safety for women became the primary concern. The suffering girl was shifted to Singapore early morning on 26^th for better treatment, but her brutalized and battered body gave up the fight early morning of 29^th December. The nation plunged into grief. The sad mood got further accentuated by more crimes against women reported from various parts of the country in a brazen display of indifference.

The Government of India at its highest level decided to cancel all New Year parties and celebrations. The Indian Army issued advisory to all its formations across the country not to celebrate New Year 2013. The refrain was adhered to by the other two wings of the Indian Defense Services—the Navy and the Air Force—too. Many hotels and clubs in Delhi and other cities followed suit. Our media channel Doordarshan canceled all its entertainment programs made specially to usher in the New Year at all regional levels.

In the national capital Young India continued the protest rallies and silent sit-in demonstrations throughout the past days and nights including the New Year eve and on the New Year today defying the biting cold.

In Mumbai candle marches, protest demonstrations and anti-liquor public meetings were held late into the night yesterday. The revelry was visibly much less than witnessed last year or in recent past. Fireworks were scattered and subdued at the strike of midnight.

Respect women who are also your loving grandmothers, mothers, sisters and wives; ensure safety for all them locally, regionally and nationally; carry on the Young India Movement for Change to press for stringent rape laws and effective policing with working helplines; debate tirelessly on the punishment options for the rapists ranging from chemical castration to the death penalty and take action at the very sight of those dreadful animals and protect your sisters stoutly. Only these can make 2013 a
Happy 
New 
Year     for all of us and all of India.