President, PM, Sonia Gandhi greet people on Eid

New Delhi, Oct 24: President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today greeted the people on Idu'l Fitr.

''On the auspicious occasion of Idu'l Fitr, I extend my best wishes to all my people in India and abroad,'' Dr Kalam said in his message.

The festival, which marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, is an inspiration to ''strengthen mutual goodwill'' and follow the ''path of love and compassion'', said the President, who received a stream of visitors at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.

Students, elderly people and representatives of social organisations exchanged greetings with Dr Kalam.

The Prime Minister said the festival brings to the fore the ''noble instincts'' of the people and evokes feelings of ''brotherhood, compassion and sharing''.

''May Id-ul-Fitr usher in peace, prosperity and happiness for all,'' Dr Singh said in his message.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the spirit of generosity and charity associated with the festival helps usher in a ''humane and compassionate'' society in the strife-torn world.

''May the noble ideals of the festival fill our lives with peace, happiness and social harmony and unite us all in a common brotherhood of humanity,'' Mr Shekhawat said.

Extending her greetings, Ms Gandhi said the festival elevates the soul and rejuvenates the essential of faith of the people. ''These include Islam's message of peace and fraternity of all humankind,'' she said.

UNI