Mumbaikars bid adieu to 2020 and welcomed the New Year 2021 with muted celebrations. While many of them welcomed the new year on their terraces at midnight, several others visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple to offer their prayers in the morning.
No celebratory events, congregations and gatherings at public places were permitted and section 144 have been imposed in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune.
But despite the restrictions, people still found a way to make the best of the situation and brought in the New Year by staying indoors and celebrating among close family members.
In Kerala, very few people turned up to celebrate the New Year at Fort Kochi, as compared to other years.
In Kolkata, West Bengal police distributed masks to people who were not wearing masks as they turned up at Park Street for celebrations.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the first day of the new year on Friday.
May the spirit of hope and wellness prevail, he wished.
"Wishing you a happy 2021! May this year bring good health, joy and prosperity. May the spirit of hope and wellness prevail," the prime minister tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind also extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of the New Year and expressed hope that the people of the country will move ahead with renewed energy to achieve the common goal of the country's progress.
Taking to Twitter, the President in a series of tweets said that challenges that arose out of the COVID-19 situation strengthen the country's determination to move forward together.
"Happy New Year everyone! New Year provides an opportunity to make a fresh beginning and resolve for individual and collective development. Challenges arising out of COVID-19 situation strengthen our determination to move forward unitedly," the official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted.
"Let us continue to work together for creating an inclusive society filled with the spirit of love and compassion that promotes peace and goodwill. May all of you remain safe and healthy, and march ahead with renewed energy to achieve the common goal of our nation's progress," Rashtrapati Bhavan said in another tweet.
President in his greetings to citizens on the eve of New Year 2021 urged them to work together towards creating an inclusive society instilled with the spirit of love, compassion, and forbearance that promotes peace and goodwill.
In his message, he said the difficult time arising out of the COVID-19 situation is a time for people to move forward in a united manner.
(With inputs from agencies)
