A million people have by now written or are now writing about the year past, and the year staring nonchalantly at us. Some would go on summarizing the goods and bads of 2009; some go on debating if there was anything the new year expects us to do? So statistically, the chances that I’d write something you have not read before are abysmally low. Glad I got that off my chest. ;-)

After writing hundreds of email and much waiting for a reply, I now have the pleasure to interview Mr. New Year.

Hello Mr. NY.
Hi everyone.

So you are here now. How does it feel?
I’ve heard a lot of things from my seniors about how the world treats us. I am anxious. It is a lot of stress to be awaited by billions of people with so many expectations.

What is your motto for the new decade?
All I can say is: ‘Enjoy responsibly, children of men’. Hope this decade doesn’t signal an end to humanity; hope it brings more peace and less sufferings.

That is good. Almost identical to what your predecessor emphasized on. What is so different now?
Last decade was good but too violent. But we will be a decade of introspect, and new balance. Things will change for the better. People would become more responsible. Sufferings will rise, but so will the vastness of noble hearts. People will begin looking inside to quench their thirst for truth. A new balance between good and bad will be established.

Mr. NY, that sounds interesting. What makes you so optimistic?
I’ve heard tales from times past. I have seen the rise and fall of civilizations. There are just two ways forward from where you stand now. Unfortunately, only the optimistic way leads to a future which still has humans.

Is that a threat?
I am much too humble to threaten you. You are your own biggest enemy. Threat is from the inside.

(Still very shaken from the ‘kind’ words.)
(Smiles, and continues talking) You see, this is not the first interview a human has had with a new year. It is funny to watch you gaping in horror at the prospect. However, I know for sure that you’ll forget everything the minute you finish the interview. Humans will never learn.

But…. Sir…. Is this the end? Should I start packing my bags? Because, I don’t see any optimism in my version of future.
There is no running away. What will you do now that you did not do earlier? Where will you run away to? Even the child who sleeps hungry on the footpath is optimistic about next day’s bread. Why are you losing hope?

I see blood all around. Brothers gunning for each other. Society crumbling under the weight of misdeeds of the past. Humanity disappearing. Who knows when there’ll be a World War 3?
Do you not see millions of people helping the needy every passing second? Not the scores of people keeping the fabric of society intact? People across the world helping without expecting anything in return? Does that not cheer you up?

What if one day humanity loses the battle? Chaos supersedes sanity. Hatred overpowers love?
That day, my child, will be the day of my visions.

(Silence in the studio)

(Recording stops. Interview is officially over.)