2 countries, 2 Presidents, 1 message on Diwali

Presidents of India and Pakistan extend Diwali greetings

Diwali is a time for festivity and happiness transcending all faiths and an occasion to share joy with the needy, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday greeting the nation on the eve of the festival.

"On the joyous occasion of Diwali, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to my countrymen in India and around the world. Diwali is a time for festivity and happiness cutting across all faiths and cultures. It is an occasion to share our joy with those who are needy and deprived.

"The diyas (earthen lamps) lit on the moonless night of Diwali signify the end of the darkness of ignorance and the beginning of light that enlightens all. On this auspicious occasion, let us channelise our energies towards vanquishing want and suffering and strive hard for collective growth," he said.

The President wished that the festival of lights would dispel darkness and bring joy and prosperity to all.

"I urge all Indians to try and celebrate a pollution-free Diwali," he said.

Click on NEXT to read what Pakistan President Asif Zardari had to say...

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a message, said: "I wish to extend on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Pakistan heartiest greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali."

"It is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection. Let us rededicate ourselves to continually striving in the path of good and noble. Let us also not forget that there are so many who are less fortunate than us and make them share in our celebrations", said the president. 

We partake in Diwali celebrations also for promoting inter-faith harmony as a means to fight religious apartheid and those who seek to impose their ideological agenda on the people, the President said.

"On this occasion, I wish to reiterate that the Hindus, indeed all minorities, of Pakistan are equal citizens of the State and entitled to equal rights. I also wish to reiterate our commitment to respect and uphold the UN Resolution calling for inter-faith harmony and the pledge made by the government to safeguard the rights of all minorities. Let it be made clear yet again today that no one will be allowed to victimize and hound members of minority communities in the name of religion and faith," Zardari said.