President greets nation on Baisakhi

New Delhi, Apr 12 : President Pratibha Patil today greeted the nation on the occasion of Baisakhi, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

In her message, President Patil said, "On the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all, and particularly to those, who are engaged in agriculture and cultivation."

"May this harvest festival bring peace, happiness and prosperity to people and to the nation, the President added.

The Baisakhi festival is celebrated to renew the pledge to exercise harmony and brotherhood, as is enshrined in Sikhism through the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, the last guru of the Sikh faith.

The festival has tremendous religious significance as it was on a Baisakhi day in 1699, that Guru Gobind Singh, laid the foundation of Panth Khalsa-the Order of the Pure Ones.

For the large farming community of Punjab, the festival marks the time for harvest of Rabi crops.

ANI