Date:11/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/11/stories/2006011105461300.htm

National

Abdul Kalam, Manmohan extend Id greetings

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have greeted people on the occasion of Idu'l Zuha, which will be celebrated on Wednesday.

"On the occasion of Idu'l Zuha, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my people in India and abroad and to all those who have performed Haj-Baitullah this year," the President said in his message.

"Idu'l Zuha is also an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the cause of service to the mankind and work for the prosperity, happiness and all round development of our nation. It is a festival of love, sacrifice and forgiveness," he said.

Extending greetings to the people, the Prime Minister said: "Idu'l Zuha is also a timely reminder of our collective responsibility and duty towards the poor, the needy and the less-privileged."

"Idu'l Zuha is an occasion to remember the spirit of supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim. The festival teaches us the importance of sacrificing our ego and surrender of the `self' to the almighty," he said.