New Years around the World

Chinese New Year

Pahela Baishakh, with its 'red and white', with its colourful noksha, and lively morning processions, is with us again. Only days to go until we eat panta and fried hilsa, and venture into Ramna damning the heat, and reprimand people for wearing western clothes because, I presuppose, we get extra 'nationalistic' that day.
And just as we have our own traditions and rituals, so do other countries and societies. I guess it is apt to talk about some of the other New Year celebrations as we will be enjoying our own soon.
Is there any need to cover the Gregorian New Year? On TV, we see extravagant fireworks shooting out of tourist destinations, and every one writes down resolutions because they want to tweet 10 minutes later that they've broken them. What more?
THE HIJRI NEW YEAR
The Islamic calendar is also lunar and is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian. Muslims usually say special prayers on that day and reflect on their faith.
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
The Chinese calendar is lunar hence the dates vary. They normally occur between 20th January and 20th February, and are marked by colourful lanterns and dragon parades. There'll be a lot of firecrackers, as tradition dictates, to wake the dragon up because they are supposed to hibernate all year. The Chinese New Year is also celebrated in Korea, Bhutan, Malaysia, and other countries.
The Chinese New Year is also called the Lunar New Year to distinguish it from the Gregorian one.
THE RUSSIAN NEW YEAR (NOVY GOD)
The Russians, it would appear, have plagiarised Christmas for their New Year celebrations.
Explanation: The Soviets had banned Christmas, and with it the Christmas tree. But by 1935 it was 'reinstated' as the New Year fir tree. After that the tree found its way into their New Year celebrations. Also, some guy called Grandpa Frost, who looks like Santa Claus, would bring them presents that his granddaughter, the 'snow maiden', would help him put under the trees.
Russian immigrants in Israel also celebrate it with great zeal apparently. Anti-Novy God flyers are common during the time.
So yeah, it's pretty messed up.
 

Shofar

THE JEWISH NEW YEAR (ROSH HASHANAH)
Shofars, ram horns, are traditionally blown every morning starting New Year till the end of the first month.
It occurs in September or October and goes on for ten days, ending with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Jews ask forgiveness for their wrongdoings and try to forgive others during this time.
THE INDIAN NEW YEARS
In Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu New Years are celebrated when the sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar, which is normally on April 14 or 15. People from Gujarat celebrate it during Diwali. Sikhs celebrate it on March 14 as per the Nanakshahi calendar, which started with the birth date of Guru Nanak.  
Did you know that Thais celebrate their New Year with water fights? That Iran celebrates it on March 21? That Vietnam does it in February? There are so many in this world that I cannot pretzel them all into one article.
But anyway, happy Pahela Baishakh!

Punjabi Baisakhi