NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 24
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and expressed hope that this festival would nurture peace throughout the world and help maintain harmony in mankind.
Christmas is an occasion to celebrate with joy and fervour the birth of Jesus Christ, he said.
“I hope that this festival would nurture peace throughout the world and help maintain harmony in mankind. Let us re-imbibe Jesus Christ”s teachings of love, compassion and humanity on this holy festival and commit ourselves to the welfare of our nation and society,” Kovind said.
He said the festival fills people’s lives with peace, goodwill and compassion.
“On this festival, we lighten up our hearts with love and kindness towards others,” the President said, and extended “heartiest greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially our Christian brothers and sisters”.
TN Governor, Chief Minister and Stalin greets people
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami, DMK chief M K Stalin and various political party leaders extended their greetings on the eve of Christmas.
“On the auspicious and joyous occasion of Christmas, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all our Christian brothers and sisters who are celebrating the birth of Lord Jesus Christ,” Purohit said in a Raj Bhavan release.
Christmas is the festival of merriment and joy that reminds us of the eternal values of compassion and forgiveness, of love and empathy, he added.
“On this occasion, let us resolve to foster peace, harmony and tolerance so as to create a better future for all mankind. May this festival bring happiness, peace, prosperity and good health in all our lives,” he said.
The Chief Minister in his message, appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to follow the preachings of Lord Jesus and spread love and promote brotherhood on the occasion.
Palaniswami listed out schemes introduced by the AIADMK government including those for members of the Christian community to undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Extending his Christmas greetings, Stalin appealed to Christians to celebrate the occasion by following all the precautionary measures in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
MDMK chief Vaiko and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder TTV Dhinakaran were among those who extended Christmas greetings to the people.
Pudhucherry Lt. Governor, CM extends Christmas greetings
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy have conveyed their Christmas greetings to the people of the Union Territory.
Bedi, in her greetings on the eve of the festival, said Christmas is an occasion to cherish the life of Christ and to spreadthe message of love to all.
She said the festival should be celebrated by observing COVID-19 safety norms with prayers for the world to return to its normalcy in the wake of the pandemic. The former IPS officer said Jesus Christ is an embodiment of love and brotherhood which liberate the world from strife and hatred.
Narayanasamy, in his message, called for adoption of cardinal principles of love and forgivenes by people in their routine life. He said Christ particularly advocated the principle of “love thy enemy and show mercy to those who curse and hate you.” “This principle should be emulated by us. We may have enemies and people hating us amidst us. But even such people should be shown love and affection,” he said Assembly Speaker V P Sivakolundhu, Ministers, legislators and leaders of various political parties were among those who extended greetings.
