New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday greeted the nation on the eve of Buddha Purnima, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha to be celebrated Thursday.
Vice President Hamid Ansari also sent his best wishes to the people on the occasion.
The president said in her message: ‘On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all our citizens.’
‘May the message of Lord Buddha inspire us to follow the path of truth and compassion and serve humanity to affirm our faith in the eternal values of non-violence and universal brotherhood,’ Patil, who is in China for a six-day trip, added.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a separate message, urged the people to ‘follow Lord Buddha’s message and eschew all forms of violence and work for the welfare of the downtrodden and underprivileged’.
In his message, Vice President Ansari said Buddha’s teachings were relevant for emancipating mankind from suffering and to ensure peace and happiness in the world.
‘Buddha, through his divine life and teachings, showed us the path of non-violence, compassion and love… Let us imbibe Buddha’s teachings for promoting peace and happiness,’ he said.
