Prez, Vice-President, PM greet nation on Onam

New Delhi, Aug 26: The President, Vice-President and Prime Minister today greeted the people on the joyous occasion of Onam, a harvest festival of Kerala.

''On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I greet all my people in India and abroad,''said President Pratibha Patil, according to an official statement.

Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said, ''Onam is celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. The mood of rejoicing is vividly captured in the rituals and festivities associated with the festival.'' He added that the festival transcended all barriers and united everyone in ''common brotherhood.'' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged the efforts of the farmers and said the festival which heralds in the beginning of the harvest season gave an opportunity to ''salute the farmers'' for their contributions to the economy. He also wished that the festival brings peace, prosperity and happiness to all.

To be celebrated tommorow, Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated all over the state by people of all communities.

According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

UNI