New Delhi:

Gautam Adani today extended his warm wishes for the New Year to the Adani Group employees. “As we step into 2025, I extend my warm wishes to each of you and your families for a year filled with prosperity, health, and remarkable achievements,” the Adani Group chairman said.

Reflecting on the past year, Mr Adani said that 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary, emphasising “the journey to success is rarely linear”.

“At our core, we are fearless fighters, and it is through these battles that we continue to evolve and excel. The storms of 2024 further augmented our spirit. And today, we stand taller because of your unwavering dedication and relentless passion,” he said.

Gautam Adani said that even though the group’s financial position has never been more robust, his focus was not on numbers but on the foundation we are laying for the future.

Mr Adani said the group’s “true challenge lies in deploying our capital effectively”. “To overcome this, we must prioritise the two Ts that serve as the most sustainable differentiators in today’s world – Technology and Talent,” he added.

Explaining the role of technology and talent, The Adani Group chairman said, “In today’s fast-evolving landscape, every company must think and act as a technology company – or risk irrelevance. Scaling effectively demands more than just implementing software tools – it requires embedding a technology-first mindset into the very fabric of our organisation. This is not optional – it is essential. And it begins with our top 100 leaders setting the tone.” he added.

Gautam Adani, urging each member of the group to become “technologically fluent”, said, “In the race of relevance, technology is the racetrack, and leadership is the stride that ensures we finish first”.

“I challenge each of you to embrace technology as a lever to innovate, disrupt and set new standards of excellence. Your career growth depends on it. Our collective success depends on it,” he added.

Talking about the role of talent, he said, “Talent is not about mere resumes or credentials – it is about the drive to adapt, innovate and lead. This year, we are doubling down on our commitment to building a powerhouse of potential”.

Elaborating on how the group was planning on tapping on the potential of its employees, Mr Adani said, “We are introducing dynamic internal job rotations, rigorous training programs and clear pathways for growth. Our goal is to unlock the full potential of every individual. The greatest investment we can make is not just in systems or strategies, but in unlocking the limitless potential of our people who dare to lead and innovate.”

He also urged the staff to “take ownership of building both your technical expertise and leadership capabilities. Seek out broader experiences across the group. Step up and take on the opportunities that lie ahead”.

He said the group was also investing in campus recruitment: “We are strengthening our presence at premier campuses to attract ambitious young professionals who will lead us into the future.”

“Together, we will refine and elevate our talent initiatives, ensuring they serve not just the organization but each one of you in your pursuit of excellence,” he added.

Shifting the focus to the broader “external environment”, he said, “The year 2024 was a year of extraordinary turbulence and transformation. Across the globe, elections in over 60 nations reshaped governments and altered political landscapes. Economic uncertainties swept through continents, leaving even the most developed economies struggling with stagnation and instability.”

“In a world searching for leadership and solutions, India’s moment to rise has arrived. This is not just an economic or political opportunity – it is a historic call to redefine our place on the global stage. Moments of transformation do not wait for us. They demand we rise to them with vision, courage and the will to act,” he added.

Mr Adani said that as we enter the New Year, he was “deeply inspired by the spirit you bring to our journey”.

“Looking ahead, I am filled with immense gratitude and boundless optimism. Gratitude for the dedication and passion you have put into every effort, and optimism for the remarkable journey that lies before us. Together, we will not merely navigate the challenges of tomorrow but transform them into milestones of success,” he added.

Wishing the Adani Group employees a very happy new year, Gautam Adani said, “May 2025 bring joy, fulfilment and countless reasons to celebrate – for you, your families and all those whose lives we touch. Let us move forward with courage, conviction and a shared vision to shape a brighter, more meaningful future.”

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

The world welcomed the New Year 2025 with grand celebrations, cultural events, and hope on Tuesday night – after a year of global elections, political turmoil, and war. Hundreds and thousands of people gathered all around to witness spectacular fireworks and engaged in cultural events, live music performances, and themed decorations as the world marked another rotation around the sun. In India, the New Year celebrations began in many cities with large gatherings and parties.

Delhi’s famous spots – India Gate, Hauz Khas, Connaught Place, and Lajpat Nagar – were filled with people.

Ahead of New Year’s Eve and a night of parties, the Delhi Police had put out a humourous social media post to warn drunk drivers, saying that they would hold a “cell block party” for hooligans. The post said this party’s “opening performer” is breathalyser that would identify drunk drivers, adding that they would provide “free transportation” to jail and a “VIP lounge” in the form of jail cells.

Mumbai’s Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, and Carter Road in Bandra were decorated and packed with people. People also gathered at Marine Drive to watch the fireworks.

Photo Credit: ANI

In Punjab’s Amritsar, people gathered at the Golden Temple to welcome the New Year.

People in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal and Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow were seen dancing and celebrating on the streets as the clocks struck midnight.

In Himachal Pradesh’s Manali, a popular tourist destination, crowds danced and cheered in the streets.

Percussion instruments were played in the streets of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore, while Chennai witnessed a huge crowd for the celebrations.

On New Year’s Eve, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to the nation. In her message, she said, “On the joyous occasion of the New Year, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians, both in India and abroad. The coming of the New Year marks the beginning of new hopes, dreams, and aspirations in our lives. Let us welcome the New Year with joy and enthusiasm and take our society and nation further on the path of unity and excellence.”

How the world celebrated

The world ushered in 2025, with huge crowds waving goodbye to the old year that brought Olympic glory, a dramatic Donald Trump return and turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine. New York’s iconic Times Square witnessed its annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. Nearly a million people gathered for the 115th edition of the celebration, which has been a tradition since 1907.

Photo Credit: AFP

Japan witnessed the world’s largest fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Fireworks display in Kōnosu, Japanpic.twitter.com/Bhf1dIdfk6

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) December 31, 2024

In Syria, which recently witnessed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, people celebrated the New Year with large crowds and fireworks.

Vibrant fireworks exploded above the Great Pyramids in Egypt’s Cairo.

While thousands of people gathered on the streets of Taipei to celebrate the New Year, Sydney – the self-proclaimed ‘New Year’s capital of the world’ – sprayed fireworks.

Starting January 1, 2025, a slew of regulatory and financial changes will be coming into effect, affecting citizens across the country. From changes in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) procedures to adjustments in LPG pricing and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the new year could have a significant impact on your wallet. Here’s a complete list of the changes that you can expect.

EPFO new rule

EPFO is set to streamline the pension withdrawal process from January 1, 2025 as part of the centralised pension payment system (CPPS). Pensioners will now have the convenience of withdrawing their pensions from any bank in the country, eliminating the hassle of additional verification.

Reports suggest that EPFO will be soon issuing an ATM card that will enable subscribers to withdraw money around the clock. Moreover, the EPF contribution cap is expected to be eliminated this year as well.

GST

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be made mandatory for taxpayers for better security on the GST portal. Additionally, E-Way Bills (EWBs) can only be generated for base documents not older than 180 days.

UPI and farmer loans

As per a recent circular by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), starting today, UPI 123Pay, using which feature phone users make online payments, will see an increase in its transaction limit from January 1, 2025. The new limit will be Rs 10,000, up from the previous Rs 5,000.

Additionally, the central bank has raised the cap on unsecured loans for farmers to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 1.60 lakh. This increase, effective today, is intended to provide more financial support to farmers, potentially aiding in better agricultural practices and investments.

Visa requirements

US Visa Appointment Reschedule:

Starting January 1, 2025, non-immigrant visa applicants in India will benefit from a policy allowing one free rescheduling of their visa appointment. However, any further rescheduling will necessitate a new application and payment of the visa fee, aiming to streamline the process while maintaining discipline in appointment scheduling.

Changes in the H-1B Visa Process:

New rules, effective from January 17, 2025, will modernise the H-1B visa process, making it more flexible for employers and accessible for Indian F-1 visa holders.

LPG pricing

Though no official announcement has been made so far, the trend has remained of price change of both domestic (14 kg) and commercial LPG cylinders (19 kg) in the new year. While domestic cylinders’ prices have remained consistent, commercial cylinders have witnessed some volatility. As per experts, there could be a price hike in both.

December 31 brings masses of people together to usher in the new year. But when massive crowds gather to party, certain risks – such as overcrowding or alcohol-related violence – may increase.

Here are some tips to stay safe in packed public spaces, so your end-of-year celebration can be a happy one.

A surge of people in the city centre

New Year’s Eve celebrations are usually unticketed and free to attend. This can make it difficult to estimate how many people will show up.

But public events to watch midnight fireworks often attract hundreds of thousands of people in large city centres.

Revellers are spread over open public areas rather than within a structured venue, and there’s typically no formal security screening or restricted entry.

The risk of overcrowding often peaks shortly after midnight. During the night, the crowd usually builds up gradually over several hours. Then, after the fireworks display, everyone rushes to nearby transport hubs to get home.

This surge in movement – where people pour into stations and areas with limited capacity – increases the risk of a crowd crush.

How does a crowd crush happen?

A crowd crush is not necessarily the result of a “stampede”, although it’s a common misconception this is what causes death and injury in crowds.

In fact, a crowd crush, or surge, is a problem of extreme density.

In a crowd crush, you will start to feel pushed forward, often against your will, and this pushes others forward in a dangerous chain reaction.

In these situations, you lose the ability to move on your own accord. The crowd begins to behave more like a fluid.

This turbulence only happens in very dense crowds — usually when there are more than seven or eight people per square metre.

The danger escalates if the pressure on a person’s chest and lungs from overcrowding becomes too intense. This can lead to compressive asphyxia — when a person can’t breathe due to immense pressure on their chest.

A progressive crowd collapse can also occur. If someone falls, it can trigger a domino effect.

What can I do?

There are some things you can do to help lessen your risk of being involved in a crowd crush.

1. Plan your journey ahead: avoid areas likely to experience bottlenecks. Local authorities often plan how to spread crowds and avoid congestion, for example by setting up several celebration sites. Know where you’re going ahead of time.

2. Delay your departure: if possible, wait a little after the fireworks display ends to avoid the surge of movement towards public transport.

3. Monitor for overcrowding: look for early signs of a crush, such as movement slowing or stopping. Try to avoid packed areas and move towards less crowded spaces (for example, to the sides). Listen for signals of distress from people around you or downstream in the crowd. And if you can, pass this information further upstream – for example, by saying “stop moving” or “slow down”, which can lessen the pressure.

People who are shorter or have mobility issues or crowd anxiety (agoraphobia) may be more at risk – so take extra care if this applies to you or someone you’re with.

What about other risks?

Severe heat

New Year’s Eve in Australia is often hit with extreme heat. The good news is severe weather alerts are usually issued well in advance, so you can be prepared. Check the forecast, dress appropriately and carry water with you.

If you’re in an at risk group (including older people, very young children and people with chronic conditions) be prepared to make the choice not to go, if unfavourable weather is predicted.

Fireworks

Fireworks are an iconic part of New Year’s Eve. There can be safety risks, but these come from private fireworks that are prone to misfire and cause accidents.

Public fireworks displays today are incredibly safe compared to private fireworks. Public displays are licensed by experts who follow strict regulations.

Alcohol

For many people, a cheeky champagne is a must on December 31.

Unfortunately where excessive drinking is involved, risks increase – including violent behaviour in public or drink driving incidents.

A Victorian Health Promotion Foundation study found ambulance call-outs and emergency department presentations increase six-fold on New Year’s Eve.

Hospital admissions related to alcohol intoxication increase five-fold.

Emergency department visits for assault more than triple during this time.

But you can drink, party and travel responsibly. Pace yourself, and always have a safe way to get home. Designate a driver, use public transport, or call a ride-share or taxi.

Terrorism

For the first time in a decade, Australia will be celebrating New Year’s Eve at a “probable” terror threat level. This means the possibility of an attack — though not imminent — remains significant enough to warrant vigilance.

If you notice any suspicious activity, report it immediately to your local designated hotline.

In an emergency, follow instructions from authorities and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid filming incidents as they unfold – prioritise your safety and that of others over documentation.

The likelihood of something going wrong is generally quite low. But with millions of people participating in many events across the globe, it’s good to be aware of what the risks might be.

Being prepared means you can enjoy the festivities more safely.

(Author: Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Risk & Resilience, UNSW Sydney)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)