President hosts Iftar, Narendra Modi conspicuous by absence

New Delhi, July 15: President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday hosted an Iftar party that saw leaders from several political parties in attendance at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, but where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conspicuous by his absence.

Modi had a pre-scheduled meeting with chief ministers of the northeastern states at 7 p.m. and hence did not come to the Iftar.

However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley were present.

Others who attended the Iftar included vice president Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

President said Ramadan was a month of blessings and forgiveness

Janata Dal-United chief Sharad Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien and several diplomats were among the attendees.

In his message, the President said Ramadan was a month of blessings and forgiveness which reminds people of their duty towards the poor and less privileged as well as the need for charity and generosity towards all.

"Let us during this holy month pledge to spread love, affection and mutual trust among all. May the spirit of Ramadan instill in each one of us a sense of unity and pride in the composite culture of India," he said.

IANS