Prez greets people on eve of traditional new year celebrations

President Pranab Mukherjee today greeted people from different parts of the country on the eve of their New Year and asked them to promote values of tolerance and strengthen traditional bonds of amity, understanding and harmony.
Traditional new year celebrations will be held tomorrow by Kashmiri Pandits (Navreh), Sindhi community (Cheti Chand), Meitei community of Manipur (Sajibu Cheiraoba) and in Andhra Pradesh and Karanatka (Ugadi) and Maharashtra (Gudi Padva).
Chaitra Sukladi, or the beginning of new year according to the lunar calender, which is followed mostly in the Hindi belt, is also being celebrated tomorrow.
"These festivals herald the advent of spring time - a time of joy, hope and creativity as nature unravels its limitless bounty.

"May the celebrations of these festivals promote among our diverse people the values of tolerance and fellow feeling and strengthen their traditional bonds of amity, understanding and harmony," the President said in his message.
On the eve of celebrations, he also asked the people to "re-dedicate" themselves to the task of "achieving inclusive development and equitable growth for the well-being of all".