New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Diwali and urged them to take a pledge to protect the environment. "I extend my greetings and best wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Diwali is the festival of victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Let us all together, celebrate this festival in a clean and safe way and take a pledge to contribute to protecting the environment," the President tweeted in Hindi. https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1456095510557642759 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the nation on Diwali and wished for the festival to bring "happiness, prosperity and good fortune." https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1456071185809035269 Union Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his best wishes and said, "May this great festival of light and happiness illuminate everyone's life with new energy, light, health and prosperity." https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1456071196420739075 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his greetings to people on the occasion of Diwali. Taking to his Twitter, Singh said, "Warm wishes to you and your entire family on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. May this festival increase the joy, progress, happiness and prosperity in your life, this is the wish of God." Diwali is observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar and it is believed that on this day Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) returned from a 14-year-long exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demon king Ravan. People celebrate the festival by decorating their houses, exchanging gifts, and offering prayers in order to commemorate the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also wished people on Diwali. https://twitter.com/i/status/1456077925141340160 Indian Army chief General MM Naravane on Thursday extended his greetings to people on the occasion of Diwali. Taking to Twitter, Additional Directorate General of Public Information- Indian Army said, "General MM Naravane COAS and All Ranks of IndianArmy extend greetings on the occasion of Diwali. On this day, let us remember the valour and sacrifice of our Bravehearts." This year Diwali is being celebrated on Thursday, that is, November 4.
