President, PM greet nation on new year festivals

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Vaisakhi, Puthandu Pirappu and Naba Barsha.

In his message, Mukherjee said: "On the auspicious occasion of Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Vaisakhi, Puthandu Pirappu and Naba Barsha, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens."

"These festivals denote the beginning of the New Year in different parts of the country. They not only reflect our diversity and pluralistic tradition but also underline the pervasive unity and understanding characteristic of our social ethos.

"May these festivals add colour to our lives and strengthen our resolve to do our utmost for the welfare and prosperity of our nation," he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that these traditional new year festivals during the harvest season are an occasion of thanksgiving to the farmers and a time to mark a new beginning and plan for the next year.

"These festivals across the country are also a celebration of India's unity in diversity," he said in a separate message.

Vishu is a festival celebrated in Kerala and Karnataka, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu Pirappu in Tamil Nadu and Naba Barsha is the new year for Bengali people.