President, Vice President and PM greet nation on Diwali (lead: Happy Diwali)
New Delhi, Nov 8 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation on the occasion of Diwali, which will be celebrated on Friday.
In her message, President Patil said, “On the joyous occasion of Diwali, I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the nation.”
“Diwali, the festival of lights is a time for celebration when family and friends come together. Let this festival of lights inspire us to help those as yet untouched by the light of education, heath and prosperity. May this Diwali bring happiness and joy to everyone,” the President added.
Vice President Hamid Ansari in his greetings, said, “Diwali is truly a national festival symbolising celebration and hope for mankind by providing an opportunity to reaffirm faith in all that is good, noble and virtuous. While celebrating the festival, there is a great need to inculcate these time-tested values in our lives.”
“We celebrate this festival in its true spirit with care and concern. This festival fosters peace, prosperity and happiness and unite us all in joyful celebrations,” the Vice President added.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also greeted the nation on the joyous occasion of Diwali.
In his message, Dr. Singh said, “The festival of lights, Diwali is a festival which is a harbinger of joy, happiness and prosperity. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance and of light over darkness. It is a national festival in which all communities rejoice and contribute to promoting brotherhood and camaraderie.”
“May this Diwali bring peace and prosperity to the people of our nation, to our neighbours and the world at large,” the Prime Minister added.
The day commemorates the homecoming of Lord Ram after a 14-year exile in forest. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him back by lighting rows of lamps.
The festival, which signifies victory of good over the evil, comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra.
There are several beliefs regarding the origin of festival. Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Ram achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honour of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu.
In Jainism, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 B.C. (ANI)
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