Prez, PM greet nation on New Year

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation on the eve of New Year, saying it was time to make a new beginning and set fresh goals to build a strong, united and prosperous India.
The Prime Minister said the New Year is a time for each one of us to reflect upon the year gone by, the successes and achievements as well as the lapses and shortcomings.
"It provides an opportunity to reassess ourselves and to plan for the year ahead, taking corrective action and setting new goals. It is a time of hope, a time to make a new beginning with resolve and confidence to achieve these goals," Singh said.

As a nation, it is an occasion to unite and brace ourselves for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, the Prime Minister said.
"I wish 2014 brings peace, security, joy and prosperity to all", Singh added.
In his message, the President has asked the countrymen to work towards the collective goal of inclusive development and growth.

"On the joyous occasion of New Year, I convey my warmest greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad," he said.
"May the dawn of New Year, inspire all of us to strive for the creation of an enlightened society where knowledge is converted into social good and economic wealth. May the spirit of innovation ignite the young minds of our nation," Mukherjee said.

"Let us resolve to make it a year in which the people of the country in all their rich diversity unite to work towards the collective goal of inclusive development and growth. May the New Year ring out violence, exploitation and suffering and ring in peace, equity and goodwill," the President said.
Vice President Ansari said that may the coming year "shower us with peace, harmony and optimism in our midst".
He called upon people to resolve to work together towards building a strong, united and prosperous India.
"As we celebrate the end of one year and beginning of another, let us resolve to work together towards building a strong, united and prosperous India," Ansari said.