So, what is your plan for 12-12-12?

With the much-talked about date — December 12, 2012 — heading closer, Hyderabadis are trying to make the most of the novelty of this date

    Even as jokes like “The world can’t end on 12-12-12, it’s Rajinikanth’s birthday!” are doing the rounds, there is a lot of hoopla surrounding that much talked-about date that has given birth to everything from doomsday prophesies to conspiracy theories! While the film industry will be busy celebrating superstar Rajinikanth’s 62nd birthday with much pomp on that day, the rest of the people don’t just want to wait with bated breath to see if the world will indeed end on 12.12.12 or 21.12.12 like the Mayan Calendar predicts! Instead, with the date fast approaching, Hyderabadis are doing everything from ticking things off their bucket list and making party plans to even scheduling the delivery of their babies on 12-12-12! 

    Doctors in the city, who are used to getting requests from expectant parents to schedule the delivery date and time, keeping in mind astral alignment, were surprised to get a doomsday delivery request. Dr Pramila Shekhar, gynaecologist with a corporate hospital, says, “On a regular basis, people keep asking us to deliver babies according to a muhurtam and other special dates. But this time, I got a request from a patient, who wanted to deliver the baby on 12-12-12. Since her due date is expected around the same day, we are taking the request into consideration. Otherwise, we don’t entertain any requests that can threaten the well-being of both the baby and the mother.” 

    What’s more, Hyderabadis are busy booking new appliances, automobiles and jewellery in advance in order to ensure they are delivered on December 12, 2012. “Two customers have pleaded for delivery of their top-end cars on 12-12-12 and we have to oblige them. In fact, one of the customers has even requested for delivery in the morning exactly at 9 am since the car costs 90 lakh,” says a marketing representative of a luxury car brand. 

    Chitra Lakshman, a corporate professional, adds, “My mother wants to buy a new microwave on December 12. She also plans to buy gold on this day.” 

    Though youngsters are convinced that the world will not end on that date, they want to do something interesting on the day.... just in case, you know! “I definitely don’t believe that 12-12-12 is doomsday, but I do believe that the Mayans were the true masters of the calendar and time. So I’m planning to respect their sentiment and will be heading off to party in some far-off destination or maybe try something adventurous, like bungee jumping or sailing off in a yacht,” says Aditya Batra, a marketing executive. 

    Some like city artist Fawad Tamkanat are making the most of the novelty of this prophesied doomsday. For the first time in 12 years, Fawad is organising a solo art show that will exhibit 12 of his canvases on 12-12-12. Fawad however, brushes of this as a “happy coincidence”. “I’m not superstitious that way, but the organisers of the show in Mumbai suggested this date to me since it is interesting. I don’t attribute any relevance to this day otherwise,” he quips.

The Mayan Calendar ends on 12-12-12, suggesting that the date marks the end of the world

One of Fawad Tamakanat’s artworks that will be on display at his solo show on 12-12-12