Dozens of plans for 12/12/12

Rajesh Shah and his fiancée Dipika Pradhan had been waiting for the perfect date for their marriage for over six months. When they stumbled on December 12, the last repetitive date of the century –12/12/12 – they didn’t hesitate. “I feel very lucky to be getting married on such an unforgettable date,” said Dipika.

Rajesh and Dipika are among many couples who will tie the knot on the numerology-friendly date. Navin Kumar, vice president of Mumbai’s Mayfair Banquets, is organising three weddings on that day. “In one Maharashtrian weddings that we are organising on December 12, we have planned a spread of 12 different cuisines of 12 different states,” said Kumar. 

Prashant Cecil, an MBA student said, “I plan to propose to my girlfriend on that day. We will be holidaying in a resort in South Goa and I plan to pop the question then.” Prashant has been waiting for almost eight months for the perfect date.

Even expectant fathers and mothers are queuing up to ensure a unique birthdate for their children. More than 200 bookings have been made in hospitals across the city. Dr Anita Soni, the gynecologist at LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, said, “We have around ten bookings already for that day. There is a lot of demand for both natural births, as well as planned cesarean sections.” She also added that a lot of fathers are lining up this year to have December 12 as the birthdate for their surrogate children. “We have received four surrogacy bookings on that day,” she said.

Hotels and party spots in the city are also working on themed celebrations. The nightclub Shiro, which hosts Salsa nights every Wednesday, has slotted a mystery masquerade for December 12. “We wanted to bring in the unique date in disguise,” said Mary Lobo, the organiser of the event.