They work extra hours to ensure you can party hard

MiD DAY meets the people who will be working on New Year's Eve

AS the state home department mulls over an extension of the party deadline from 12.30 am to 5 am, Puneites looking forward to having a blast on New Year's Eve have already begun celebrating the development. But there is a small community of people who are not so thrilled.

For them, an extended deadline means more hours of work, as well as the loss of any chance to party or be with family on New Year's Eve. As the world makes merry on December 31, a motley group of people work extra to ensure that the celebrations remain safe, healthy and enjoyable for you.

MiD DAY met some of these people who work hard on New Year's Eve to ensure others can party hard.

For those working in the hospitality and entertainment industry, New Year's Eve is an especially busy night.

Those who have spent a long time in the sector say that for them New Year's nights mean extra work and
no fun.

You party, DJs work
DJ Stash (31) remembers spending New Year's Eve behind a music console since the time he was 16.
For him, year-ender celebrations mean a frantic five hours behind his console to keep a sea of people dancing to his tunes.

"I can't remember the last time I even had free time to wish people on New Years' Eve. Since I was a teenager, I have been performing at events and in fact it's so routine now that no one calls me to ask about my plans for December 31," DJ Stash said. "I have to work hard to ensure people have a good time."

While he does have a New Year bash for himself, it is a belated one.

"We party a couple of days later, when we are no more in demand and people have had their fill of parties," he said.

Doctors on duty
While DJ Stash is at least having some fun by virtue of being the man in command of the music at a New Year's party, there are doctors in emergency departments who are in a different world altogether.

From treating bloodied accident victims and those hurt in drunken brawls to conducting tests on a slew of suspects caught in special police actions such as anti-drink-driving campaigns and drug busts, December 31 is a "heavy" night.

Dr Kishore Pedgaonkar, chief medical officer at Sassoon General Hospital, will be spending this New Year's Eve heading the emergency unit of doctors.

"I have spent the past four to five New Year's nights in this department. In fact, since I joined medical service, I don't remember when was the last time I celebrated New Year with my family," he said. "There is no choice, we have to give this top priority."

He added that though seniors try to give the young doctors the December 31 night off, some were bound to get caught up with work each year.

Police on their toes
For the police, the story is no different. New Year's Eve celebrations bring a feeling of dread in their hearts,
as instead of being applauded for missing out on family life for the sake of the city's safety they are often pulled up if any untoward incident occurs while they are on bandobast duty.

Police Sub-Inspector Geeta Bagawade from Khadki division has spent many New Year nights without friends or family because of work.

"In college, I used to party hard on December 31 with my college friends. We used to celebrate at the hostel
or outside, depending on the situation each year. But that was before joining the police force in 2006," Bagawade said. "Now after joining the department, partying on 31st is not possible because terror alerts are being sounded and for us the security of the city and nation comes first."

Police Constable Mahesh Nimbalkar, posted at the Deccan police station, also wanted to spend some time with family on New Year's Eve.

"I like to party with friends on 31st, but with bandobast duty it has became impossible now," Nimbalkar said. "I understand it is not possible for a policeman to get enough time off on New Year's Eve to go all out and enjoy with friends, but it would have been good to at least spend some time with family."