Tuesday 06 May 2025

Superstitions abound about leap year as 2024 dawns

NELSON LOPES, Chinchinim | DECEMBER 31, 2023, 01:14 AM IST

Traditions, customs and beliefs, few fickle-minded entertain absurd fears over leap years. The belief is confined predominantly to the postponement of new marriages. Celebrations, festivities, and birthdays will continue unabated. In spite of it, new marriages and births too will continue. 

Statistics do not support ill effects in a leap year. Any incidents, natural disasters, accidents, etc, are mere coincidences. The only regret is for those born on February 29 as the joy of celebrating a birthday comes once in four years. However, medical science can prepone or postpone birth to circumvent Feb 28. Scientifically, the exact reason is due to the period of rotations of the earth around the sun. In this century, imagined associations with leap year are unfounded. Celebrations will start with a bang on the eve of the new year. Hopes and wishes are legitimate for a better year in all aspects of life as the future is uncertain to individuals or nations. 

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