Date:23/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/23/stories/2008032360950800.htm

National

Holi symbolises harmony: PM

Staff Reporter

Sonia, Vajpayee, other leaders celebrate the festival of colours

NEW DELHI: The festival of colours, Holi, was celebrated with great fervour and gaiety in the Capital on Saturday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who did not take part in the celebrations, said in a message that Holi symbolised the country’s spirit of togetherness, harmony and tolerance.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi celebrated the festival with her party leaders and workers who streamed to her 10 Janpath residence in the morning. Senior Congress leader Shivraj Patil and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among the first to greet her.

Holi was celebrated at the residence of several other senior political leaders, including the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani and Ms. Dikshit.

Cultural programme

Mr. Vajpayee accepted the greetings and interacted with the guests. Mr. Advani and BJP president Rajnath Singh were among the first to greet Mr. Vajpayee.

Mr. Singh hosted a cultural programme of Bhojpuri dance and songs at his official residence.

Mr. Advani celebrated the festival with his family members and party workers at his residence.

“India’s Holi is unparalleled in the world. It brings together people from all classes and age groups,” said Mr. Advani.

Use of herbal colours, traditional sweets and fanfare marked Holi celebrations at Ms. Dikshit’s official residence, where a large number of workers gathered in the morning to celebrate the festival.