Praying for peace, harmony and universal brotherhood, National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today greeted the people in general and the Christian brethren in particular on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.
Interacting with people at the St Mary’s Garrison Church, Gandhi Nagar here this morning, the Provincial President said festivals form core of the great Indian ethos and inspire all to celebrate these in true spirit of its pluralistic character by sharing joys and festivities with each other.
These occasions also provide an opportunity to reaffirm our unflinching commitment to secularism that has withstood test of times from times immemorial. This is needed to be sustained and promoted in a big way, he added.
Mr Rana said the occasions like Christmas are most truly festival when celebrated by giving the light of love to people around, irrespective of cast, creed or colour. These are also occasions to know each other’s religion and culture. “Knowing about other religions makes us to respect other religions as well when they grow”, he said, adding that this assumes larger significance for harmonious growth of the society.
The Provincial President later in the afternoon also visited Holy Trinity Church at Dansal, where he met the people and extended Christmas greetings.
Besides Rt. Rev. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar, Rev. Fr Jose Vadakkel, Rev. Fr. Arul Nirmal, Rev. Fr. Ruddy, Rev. Fr. Amla Singh, Chairperson BDC, Dansal, Smt. Reena, Sarpanch Balwan Singh, Angrez Singh, Ch Haroon, Tarsem Khullar, Waris Gill, Sardar Mashi, Chinhda, Chanchal, Rahul and others were present at these places.