Leaders wish peace, prosperity and happiness on Diwali

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) President APJ Abdul Kalam, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation on the occasion of Diwali, wishing the citizens peace, prosperity and happiness.

Conveying his ''warm greetings and good wishes to all in India and abroad'' the President said Diwali, the festival of lights, is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

''May this year's festival open the people's hearts with compassion for the needy and spare time to share their joy and happiness. Happiness which spreads from home to home ultimately leads to a happy society and a happy nation,'' Dr Kalam added.

Mr Shekhawat said the festival marked the ''triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and of truth over untruth. The festival emphasises the importance of these values in our lives and unites all in a common bond of brotherhood''.

Dr Singh said Diwali symbolises the ''ascendancy of light over darkness, of good over evil and of hope over despair.

It instills confidence and courage in the hearts of people that truth and righteousness are bound to prevail over the forces of evil. Its celebration by people from diverse faiths is a significant affirmation of the great secular tradition of the country.'' Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi also extended his greetings and good wishes to the people on the festival of lights. In his message, Mr Joshi exhorted the people of Delhi to celebrate Diwali with zest and spread the message of love and peace. Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit also extended her greetings and best wishes on the occasion.

Breaking the barriers of religion the Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao urged the Catholic community in Goa and Daman to greet their Hindu brethren on this joyous occasion of Diwali. '' This ancient feast reminds us of the victory of light over darkness, truth over untruth, good over evil and life over death,'' he said.

Warm greetings were also extended by Punjab Governor Gen (retd) S F Rodrigues and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Similar wishes were also conveyed by the Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Khoje and CM Virbhadra Singh.

Haryana Governor A R Kidwai urged people belonging to all communities to celebrate this festival to strengthen the bonds of love, amity and goodwill.

''The warmth, love and joy which everyone feels while celebrating the festival adds our composite heritage promoting amity and brotherhood,'' said Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha. J and K CM Ghulam Nabi Azad also greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma and Chief Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on the eve of Diwali and the Gujarati New Year. The Governor hoped that the beginning of the new year 'Vikram Samvat 2063' would catapult the state to new heights in progress and prosperity. Let Diwali bring in cheers and prosperity to one and all in the state, he said in a message.

UP governor T V Rajeswar and CM Mulayam Singh Yadav also greeted the people of the sate. Warm wishes were also extended by Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameswar Thakur and CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Tripura Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahaya and Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala.

UNI DKB AT HT1915