New Year revellers, have no hang-ups!

MUMBAI: Many of those who live it up on December 31 worry about beginning the New Year with an incapacitating hangover. Next year, however, January 1 is Bakri Eid and a public holiday. So partygoers can indulge on the last day of 2006 undisturbed by visions of dealing with a swaying work desk just hours after the party.

In fact, 2007’s inaugural augurs well for overworked Mumbai — holidays are strewn throughout the year like confetti.

The state’s official declaration of public holidays for 2007 has 24 entries, ten of which fall on Sundays and Saturdays. Government employees will miss five holidays on Sunday and the one on Bali Pratipada — which falls on November 10, a second Saturday. But those who work six-day weeks can expect long weekends.

The year begins with nine holidays, including the regular weekend breaks, and three consecutively from January 26 to 28. November and March also offer nine-day breaks, weekend holidays included. November has three consecutive days of leave from the ninth to the eleventh.  

June and July have no holidays at all, so keep your umbrellas in good condition.

In February, government employees will work for only 20 days, making it the month with the least number of working days.

February has four Sundays, a second and a fourth Saturday, a holiday for Mahashivratri (16), and one for Shiv Jayanti (19).

And oh, by the way, the New Year begins and ends on a Monday.