Panaji – Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has appealed through a memorandum to the North Goa Collector Mr. Levinson Martins, South Goa collector, Dy collector of Mapusa, Marmogao, Ponda and Bicholi to curb the malpractices occurring during 31st December night and ‘Old Man’ tradition
Memorandum further says that, an evil practice of celebrating the New Year at midnight on 31st December instead of Gudhipadva, is on the rise because of the increasing blind imitation of the western practices. There is increase in consumption of drugs and alcohol by the youth on this night. Lot of accidents take place on that night as the result of rash driving of vehicles in drunken state. Crackers are burst throughout the night causing pollution; so also rave parties organised on beaches on the eve of the New Year cause malpractices of noise pollution occur disregarding the order of the High Court. There are incidents of eve teasing. Hence it is a request to stop the malpractices taking place in places of pilgrimage, tourist places and public places under the name of ‘New Year’. In order to have an auspicious beginning of the New Year by understanding the science and according to Bhartiya Culture celebrating the ‘New Year’ on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Pratipada, that is, on Gudhipadva day, is superior and beneficial from the point of view of nature, history and Spirituality. On account of the tradition of ‘Old Man’ observed by Christians malpractices have been witnessed since last few years. According to Christian priests this tradition has no religious basis. We demand that malpractices in the name of this Old Man tradition should be stopped. Since last few years malpractices like extortion of money by stopping vehicles on the road, noise pollution, eve teasing, burning effigies, vulgar dancing under the influence of alcohol, fighting etc. are being noticed. Hence it is very essential to create awareness amongst the public in an expansive manner about these malpractices. Also nowadays there has been a tradition to burst crackers throughout the night to celebrate New Year causing pollution. Now fire crackers are being sold having pictures of Hindu Deities and National Heroes printed on it. We request you to ban production and sale of fire crackers having pictures of Hindu Deities and national heroes printed on it.
