PANAJI: Thousands of tourists and local residents flocked to Goa beaches after midnight on Wednesday to ring in the New Year. At night there was heavy traffic on several roads leading to the beaches, even as state police had regulated the movement of vehicles on busy routes in anticipation of a large crowd at the seashore.
Most of the state’s prominent beaches began to fill up from Tuesday night, when large numbers of people turned out to witness the last sunset of 2024.
At the stroke of midnight, people greeted each other to welcome the New Year amidst fireworks and musical programs organized in many beach huts.
State Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant greeted people on the occasion of the New Year.
Tourism in Goa Minister Rohan Khaunte told PTI that the celebrations took place peacefully and tourists re-imposed faith in the coastal state as their favorite destination for New Year celebrations.
Most hotels, including high-end ones, recorded full occupancy, he said.
Some of the popular beaches including Calangute, Baga, Vagator, Candolim, Sinquerim, Anjuna, Morjim and Ashram in North Goa and Colva, Benaulim, Majorda, Utorda, Palolem and Rajbag in South Goa attracted hordes of tourists during the celebration. It continued until early Wednesday morning.
Members of the Christian community, which makes up around 30 per cent of Goa’s population, attended midnight masses held in churches across the state to mark the New Year.
After the prayers, many of them organized gatherings in their respective localities and participated in various entertainment activities.
Heavy security has been deployed at key places in the state to prevent any law and order problem, a senior police official said.
Except for some minor accidents reported in some parts of Goa, the New Year celebrations passed off peacefully, he said.
Governor Pillai greeted the people and said, “New Year is a joyous event in which we refresh our thoughts and prepare ourselves for new achievements.”
“The arrival of the New Year brings new hopes, aspirations and expectations and rejuvenates our lives,” the governor said in a statement.
The just passed year has many notable achievements such as the Mopa link road and the new Mopa airport (Manohar International Airport), which are expected to boost the state’s economy, he said.
“It is also a real pleasure that Goa continues to make commendable progress in all fields,” Pillai said.
He said Raj Bhavan of Goa has a large public ‘Vaman Vriksha Udyan’ (bonsai garden) with 1,008 plants.
Last year, Raj Bhavan launched the ‘Prachin Vriksha Ayurvedic Chikitsa’, also known as ‘Vriksha Poshana Yoga’, to protect and preserve the ancient trees there, based on the principles of Vriksha Ayurveda, a rare treatise on the science of plant life , he said the governor.
“We welcome the New Year 2025 on ‘Amrit Kaal’ with new resolutions and move towards becoming an inclusive and developed nation by 2047. On this joyous occasion, let us all work together in a spirit of harmony and friendship to usher in progress . and development to create a better and brighter tomorrow,” he said.
CM Sawant in his message said that it is time to look back and cherish the memories of life.
“Despite all the hard feelings we may have encountered, let’s open our hearts and let it go,” he said in a statement.
“The New Year gives us hope to look towards a bright future and explore new opportunities. It is an inspiration to achieve new goals,” Sawant said.
He said the state government has been working hard to implement various schemes for the effective welfare of the people.
“Keeping our resolve high, let us march towards ‘Swayampurna Goa’ next year with greater strength,” the CM said.
“May the New Year bless everyone with an unwavering faith that will illuminate our path throughout the year,” he added.