TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has extended Diwali greetings to all the people in the State wishing them a happy and prosperous life. “Diwali, the festival of lights, is a symbol of prosperity. It inspires us towards the path of truth and popularises the ideals of national unity and cohesion. It has a special importance in our culture, as it is a symbol of social harmony and mutual brotherhood,” Parrikar said.
The chief minister said that on this solemn occasion, let the lamp of compassion, love and righteousness be illuminated. “The festival of lights provides us the inspiration to fight against all odds and move forward on the path of progress and prosperity,” he said.
Extending his greetings, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said that on behalf of the Christian community in Goa and in “my own name, I send cordial greetings and express sincere solidarity with my Hindu brothers and sisters on the occasion of the Diwali festival and share in their joy for the victory of light over darkness.”
“We too commit ourselves to lend all our support in your struggle over the powers of darkness and evil, symbolised by the Narkasura, in particular the culture of indifference and exclusion on communal lines. With mutual respect and friendship, we can build a better nation, by promoting our fundamental rights, particularly the right to religious freedom, enshrined in our Constitution,” he said, wishing all a Happy Diwali.
Governor Mridula Sinha in her Diwali message said the festival spiritually signified the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. The governor also appealed to the people to observe safety while lighting of lamps and fireworks.
