New Delhi, Dec 14 (KNN) About 35 per cent people in the metropolitan cities, especially women are planning to stay at home during New Year eve, owing to many issues like financial woes, job insecurity, rising inflation, traffic congestion, cold temperature, lack of safety and others, according to a survey.

“While majority of people across metros are planning to go out with friends and relatives, most of them will celebrate the New Year’s Eve locally without splurging much of moolah,” highlighted a survey conducted by the Social Development Foundation of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

With a view to gauge the mood of people and their plans to kick-off 2014, the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation interacted with about 2,000 college going students, young corporate executives and people engaged in various professions including individuals and couples in the age group of 18-30 years comprising equal number of men and women in 10 cities of – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai during the course of the past two months October-November.

“There seems to be lack of inspiration and motivation amid people as many are forgoing the traditional New Year celebrations of going out and partying,” according to the industry body.

About 700 of those surveyed said they have no plans to go out for parties at hotels, clubs, pubs and other such places arranging special events on the New Year’s Eve and majority (about 60 per cent) of these comprised women many of whom had cited security related apprehensions as the main reason as to why they prefer staying at home this December 31st.

Financial woes owing to rising inflation was the second most popular excuse for people to refrain from New Year celebrations followed by job security related concerns, rampant traffic jams, need for sound sleep, cold temperature and others, highlighted the ASSOCHAM survey.

Majority of those staying home on the New Year’s Eve said they have planned to host a low-key gathering with a few close friends, family and relatives in the comfort of their own abode.

Of the total, about 1,100 respondents said they have made prior plans to go out to celebrate the New Year with friends and relatives. Majority of these (65 per cent) said they would be going out for dinner parties with family or friends within their city itself.  Many of these said they will go to a party at someone else’s place, noted the ASSOCHAM survey.

While of the remaining, about 25 per cent said they have plans to usher-in the New Year at some hill station, coastal destination and other nearby tourist hot-spots, whereas only a handful (10 per cent) said they would be travelling overseas, the survey pointed out. (KNN/SD)