A subdued atmosphere greeted the new year in India following the death of 23-year-old victim of the brutal gangrape.The three wings of the armed forces, state governments like Punjab and Haryana and some political parties and clubs cancelled their celebrations across the country. In New Delhi, new year celebrations were either called off or toned down by individuals, clubs and hotels.

President Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari have conveyed their best wishes to the people for a prosperous New Year. In his message, Mr Mukherjee called upon people to dedicate 2013 to improve the security and welfare of women in the country. He also urged people to introspect and earnestly seek ways to address the mindset which lies at the root of incidents like what happened to the 23 year-old girl in Delhi. In his message, Mr Ansari called upon people to dedicate themselves to build a peaceful, harmonious, and just society.

People in the rest of the world welcomed the New Year with spectacular fireworks, music and street parties. In New Zealand, fireworks over Auckland welcomed the new year. In Australia, more than 1.5 million people gathered around Sydney harbour to watch that city's famous fireworks display.

Our West Asia correspondent reports that Dubai celebrated the arrival of the new year- 2013- with a dazzling display of fireworks atop the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa.