Main story: When the clock strikes 12, chances are you will be awake. You might be in the middle of a crowded dance floor with friends counting down every second to the New Year; you might be uncorking the expensive wine you have been saving all year; you might be texting your loved ones wishing them or quietly contemplating about the past year. But whatever you do, there’s no escaping the fact that as the earth completes a full circle around the sun, it’s time to celebrate and usher in a new beginning.
New year celebrations are a symbolic gesture of cleansing oneself with a promise to be better in the coming year. It’s also the time of the year when new resolution are made, often to be broken within hours and plans made that never comes to fruition. But for most, it’s a new start, a time to reflect, look back on and assess how we did and resolve to do better. Apart from one’s birthday, it is another moment in the year that is considered special.
So what makes the New Year special? A business owner in the capital, Tashi, said New Year is special because it sends a motivational message to everyone that one has survived the year.
“Everyone ties a special importance and meaning to the day because it marks an end to a year and a second opportunity in life. No wonder people celebrate the day with utmost pomp and decorations. One feels renewed and is inspired to be better,” Tashi said.
Tashi doesn’t hope for much in the New Year but he prays for the wellbeing of his family and friends. “It’s the time of the year to be with my family. It’s also the time where I reassure myself that I have made it and fondly remember those that didn’t. It’s a time to be grateful for being alive.”
But Tashi’s younger brother, Jigme, who is a high school student, said he doesn’t find it important to celebrate the New Year because he considers every day as a new beginning and a second chance.
“Over the years, I realised that I don’t need a year to end to start something important or to appreciate what I have in my life. I don’t believe in making resolutions as well since it’s meant to be broken. Resolutions are for the weak-hearted,” Jigme said.
Sonam Thinley, 23, hopes to usher in the New Year with a more positive and mature outlook in life. He started a small café in town recently and hopes that with the New Year, he will be able to provide better food and drinks to his customers.
“That being said, I have made plans to celebrate the night with my friends. We are going camping and we plan to drink and sing the night away along the camp fire. It’s a time to spent the special moment with our loved ones,” Sonam Thinley said.
Kinley Yangden, 16, plans to start the New Year by visiting a monastery with her family in the morning. Since she is studying in 12th standard, she plans to spend the day by studying and preparing for the most important exam in her life.
“My family is looking up to me to do better in life and I have to do well in my exams. I pray that with New Year, there will be more good news and happier endings,” Kinley Yangden said adding that she also plans to read more books written by different authors.
For those that don’t have any plans for the New Year, one can hit the various party avenues, restaurants and hotels in the capital that are already gearing up for the New Year celebrations by ordering in the most expensive decorations, food and drinks for one to spent the night away.
So, tonight, as you toast to a new beginning, take a moment to look back and not be afraid to tread the path forward with rest of the billions around the world.
Thinley Zangmo
Another year starts and with it comes new hope and aspirations – a desire in every heart to find happiness, prosperity and peace. Wishing you all a healthy and Happy New Year.
-Kezang Gayley, Dorokha, Samtse
Wishing my family and friends a Happy New Year. May the year be a wonderful and successful one.
-Kezang Jigme Dukpa,
Babesa, Thimphu
2016 was great. Looking forward for such more years! To the K2 team and all my 2016 mates.
-Tashi Norbu (Tee-N)
Wishing peace, love and laughter in the New Year to all my dear friends and family. Happy New Year.
-Kinley Wangchuk, Dechencholing, Thimphu.
Happy New Year to my friends and family. May this year be a prosperous one.
With love
-Pema Tshoki, Paro
Wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come.
-Karma
As we bid adieu to a great 2016, ANSP division would like to thank everyone in the Department of Air Transport for your support and wish a wonderful 2017 to everyone. Happy New Year and Tashi Delek.
Love,
-ANSP family, Paro International Airport
May your year be filled with magic, beautiful dreams and good madness
May almighty shower his blessings and give you health, wealth, peace, and happiness
Let it pray for peace and eternal happiness for our country in the coming year
Wishing you and your family a prosperous New Year
And I wish all our resolution for the New Year would be to read more books!
With love,
-MB Khaaling Raai
Life is an accessible diary filled with empty pages waiting for you. Fill them with your story as you go. Hold the smile, let the tear go, keep the laugh, lose the pain, look for joy, and abandon the fear. Happy New Year to my family, relatives and friends. May you have yet another successful year.
– Gyan Bdr Ghalley,
Christian University of Thailand
2016, has been a successful, prosperous, and significant year with much love and great delight to all. Wish you all a Happy New Year. May the New Year bring you happiness, unprecedented fortune, and success.
With Love
-Santa Dhital Raai
Wishing my wife, Phuntsho Wangmo, Happy New Year and love you.
-Phub Dorji
Wishing everyone a stress free and healthy New Year.
-Ugyen Pema, Prayerflags Tours and Adventure, Thimphu
Wishing every one a happy and prosperous New Year blessed with everything amazing.
-Jangchub and family,
Pemagatshel
A very Happy New Year to all. May the New Year bring happiness, peace and good health to all my family and friends.
-Thinley Gyeltshen, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Thimphu