President, VP, PM greet people on Diwali

New Delhi, Nov 08: President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali and called for seeking inspiration from the 'festival of lights' to usher in peace and prosperity.

In a message to the people on the eve of the festival, the President said Diwali is a time for celebration when friends and family come together.

''Let this festival of lights inspire us to help those as yet untouched by the light of education, health and propserity,'' she said.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari said Diwali is truly a national festival that provides an opportunity to mankind to ''reaffirm its faith in good, noble and virtuous.'' Mr Ansari said that while celebrating the festival of lights, ''there is a great need to inculcate these time-tested values in our lives.'' The Prime Minister said in his message Diwali is a harbinger of joy, happiness and prosperity which celebbrates the victory of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.

''It is a national festival in which all communities rejoice and contribute to promoting brotherhood and camaraderie,'' the Prime Minister said.

UNI