Ahmedabad ready to say Happy New Year in six languages

Just like nature comprises five elements, and five rivers flow through Punjab, the city will indulge in celebrations of several communities on April 14, as Tamilians, Bengalis, Assamese, Keralites, Odiyas and Punjabis will usher in their New Year in full swing.

KERALA: VISHU
The Malayalees celebrate 'Vishu.' According to them, it is the first day to start the harvest. The day begins as 4 am. Manoj Kumar K, Arts Secretary, Ahmedabad Kerala Sangathan adds, "A Vishukanni is already set up by the lady of the house, which is to be the first thing to be seen on Vishu.

We get up early and the lady of the house leads the other members to the Vishukkani." The Vishukkani is decorated with fruits, vegetables, pulses and a special yellow flower called Konni. Silver and gold coins are kept there, along with a mirror. Shanta Iyer, a voluntary teacher, says, "We keep a photo of Maha Vishnu. A traditional lamp is also lit in the morning. The elders of the house bless the younger members with Vishu Kaineettam."

The festival is never complete without the food, which on this day is served on a palm leaf. The food is strictly vegetarian and includes sambar, rice, avial, jackfruits, mango and banana chips. Manoj, who traditionally visits the temple on this day, says that he also plans to burst some firecrackers this year with his son.

PUNJAB: BAISAKHI
The festivities for Punjabis started in advance and will continue for three days. Gobind Dham Gurudwara has been decorated with lights, which were put up four days back. And with the Gurudwara glowing in myriad colours, how can langar and the traditional halwa be far behind?

With 13 gurudwaras in town, the celebrations with the ritual langar are being split among the various gurudwaras. Starting from early morning, Gurpreet Singh and Ranjeet Singh, who are professionals, have been called up to perform the kirtan. Friday morning's kirtan saw a crowd of around 2,000 people.

With kirtans comes the sewa. This time the sewa was of a different kind; a blood donation camp was held at the Gurudwara, where nearly 90 people participated. This camp will continue till Sunday morning. Kalgidhar Sewak Jaltha, the organisers of the blood donation camp, distributed notebooks to children which had a printed message from the chief minister.

BENGAL: POILA BAISAKH
On their New Year, Bengali families prefer to stay together and celebrate. They wear new clothes and the younger members pay respect to their elders by touching their feet. The Bengal Cultural Association, which is also completing its 75th year, will be organizing a cultural programme in the evening.

Says Anal Mukherjee, treasurer, BCA: "It will be a local programme where the kids will be singing. Some will also dance. We expect a crowd of around 1,000 people." The association is also planning to distribute new Bengali calendars. The cover will have the image of Swami Vivekananda, in honour of his150th birthday. Because of its milestone year, the association will be getting caterers especially from Delhi. On the menu is Kosha Mangsho (sautéed mutton). Adds Mukherjee, "The highlight of the programme will be the authentic, pure Bengali food."

OdiSHA:  VISHUVA SANKRANTI
Traditionally, people of Orissa celebrate this day with a sweet drink Mishri which is hung on the tulsi plant. The pot with Mishri has a hole beneath it and the water drops on tulsi giving it coolness. The process is considered to be pious -- giving coolness to tulsi. With special cold drinks like pouna, people of Orissa mark the day and celebrate it with chilled drinks to beat the summer heat. Sashmita Mishra, cultural secretary of Orissa Socio Cultural Association, told DNA, "Though the day is not our new year, we just mark the first day of our calendar on this day by small celebrations. Traditionally, New Year is in September, but the first day of our calendar is in April. We have got used to this change and celebrate New Year on this day."

Tamil Nadu: Puthandu
Tamilians marked the first day of New Year, Puthandu, on Friday by visiting temples early in the morning. Devotees ushered in the New Year by thronging to Lord Muruga temple at Hatkeshwar area in the city on Friday morning. Executive member of Ahmedabad Tamil Sangam, V Saroja said, "We had a simple celebration as it was a weekday. But we had prepared sweet Pongal for the day, performed pooja as the day marks the first day of the Tamilian calendar and is considered auspicious".

Assam: Bihu
People of Assam residing in the city will  celebrate Bihu by preparing home-made snacks and sweets. Assamese preparing special dishes made of poha, dahi, jaggery, pitha, namkeen, khurma etc. Moreover, the Assam Cultural Association has arranged a special cultural programme on Sunday to celebrate Bihu. A series of activities has been planned where Amdavadi-Assamese will participate in large numbers.