New Delhi:
The President, Vice President and the Prime Minister today greeted the nation on the occasion of Baisakhi and other harvest festivals also marking the beginning of the traditional new year in different states including Vishu Rongali Bihu and Puthandu Pirappu.
"On the joyous occasion of Baisakhi, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens and to those in the farming communities across the nation and especially in Punjab," President Pratibha Patil said in her message.
"May this celebration strengthen us in our contributions to the nation's prosperity and remind us of the important role of farmers in our economy," she said.
"On the occasion of Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Nutan Varsha, Baiskhadi, Bahag Bihu, Puthandu Pirappu, Naba Barsha and Puthandu Pirappu, I send my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens," the President said in another message.
"I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the citizen of our country on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, Mesadi, Bihu and Vishu," Vice President M Hamid Ansari said in his message.
Ansari said these festivals, signify the traditional new year and mark the beginning of the harvest season. "May these festivals promote the spirit of amity among us all," he said.
In his message to the nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "Baisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu, Mesadi, Vaisakhadi and Bahag Bihu were traditional new year festivals coinciding with the harvest are an occasion to rejoice over the fruits of the hard work of our farmers."
"They are not only an occasion to celebrate the harvest but also a time to mark a new beginning. May these festivals usher in prosperity and happiness for all" the Prime Minister said.