People across the world gear up to invite new year 2012 with fun and fanfare while President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil and Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari have extended new year greetings to the people.

As we herald new year at the stroke of midnight today, let us recall the year on its way out.

Lokpal debate, 2G spectrum controversy, change of guard in West Bengal stood out as major events of the year which is on its way out.

On the international front, Arab spring that saw the exit of Muammar Gaddafi, World’s population touching the seventh billion mark and Eurozone crisis were among the highlights of 2011.