President, PM greet nation ahead of Guru Ravidas Jayanti

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Feb 20 : President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation ahead of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. The event will be celebrated tomorrow.

In her message, Patil said: "On the occasion of the birthday of Guru Ravidas, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my countrymen. Ravidas led a life of faith and devotion. He dedicated himself to the cause of the poor irrespective of cast, creed and religion. His philosophy of service and his commitment to create a caring society is relevant even today."

"May his message of love, compassion and equality inspire us to serve humanity with dedication and devotion," she added.

In his message, Dr. Singh said that Guru Ravidas embodied the spirit of humility and human dignity.

"Revered by Hindus and Sikhs, the compositions of Guru Ravidas have been a source of knowledge and wisdom. His life and teachings would always inspire us to create a humane and just society, where every individual is given due dignity, regardless of his or her caste, creed, religion or gender," he said.

On the occasion, several processions are taken out and people dress up like Ravidas and his associates.

The birthday is celebrated on a huge scale and various programmes remembering the achievements of the great ruler are organised.

Guru Ravidas was born in a village near Varanasi in 1376.

Ravidas, a Harijan by birth, taught a spirituality based on emancipation from the oppression of the caste system.

ANI

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