TN Governor, CM, Jaya greets Malayalees on Onam

Chennai, Aug 26 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and AIADMK Supremo Jayalalithaa today greeted the Malayalees on the occasion of 'Onam'.

In his message, Mr Barnala said ''May this festival usher in prosperity, peace and harmony and promote universal brotherhood and all round development in the Nation''.

Mr Barnala conveyed his heartiest greetings and good wishes to the malayalees in the state and elsewhere in the country, a Raj Bhavan communique said.

In his message, Mr Karunanidhi said 'Onam', the festival of Harvest, signifies the importance of love, peace and brotherhood.

He said the government had declared a local holiday in bordering districts of Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore and Nilgiris last year to enable the Malayalees celebrate the festival along with their family. From this year onwards, the government had declared a holiday in Chennai also.

This showed that the state government respect the sentiments of not only the people of Tamil Nadu, but also that of neighbouring states, Mr Karunanidhi said and greeted the Malayalee people on the occasion.

In her message, Ms Jayalalithaa said 'Onam' was celebrated by one and all, transcending caste and religion, was a good example of India's sovereignity and was an expression of social equality and brotherhood.

She hoped that the festival would bring happiness, development, peace and a feeling of oneness among the people.

UNI