Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have wished the Parsi community on Navroz today. Navroz, which is the Parsi new year, is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the calendar followed by the Zoroastrians. The day marks the first day of the spring. Though Navroz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, it's a day of global observance and is celebrated on March 21 every year.
Wishing people of the Parsi community this morning, PM Modi tweeted, "Navroz Mubarak to the Parsi community! May the coming year further the spirit of happiness and harmony. I pray that everyone's dreams and aspirations are fulfilled."
Navroz Mubarak to the Parsi community! May the coming year further the spirit of happiness and harmony. I pray that everyone's dreams and aspirations are fulfilled.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted his wishes on the Parsi new year, saying "Navroz Mubarak to everybody, especially to our small, much-loved and overachieving Parsi community. May the coming year be happy and fulfilling."
Navroz Mubarak to everybody, especially to our small, much-loved and overachieving Parsi community. May the coming year be happy and fulfilling #PresidentKovind
- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2018
Apart from India, Navroz, or Nowruz is predominantly celebrated in Western and Central Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East. Many countries, including Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Iraq celebrate Navroz as a public holiday. Iran offers a 14-day vacation for schools and universities to mark the Parsi new year celebrations.
In the Iranian calendar, the first month is called Farvardin and Navroz marks the first day of Farvardin. Apart from marking the first day of spring, the Parsi new year also promotes peace and solidarity in families. It's a day that promotes friendship among peoples and different communities.
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