This is how the world leaders extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Deepavali.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday greeted people on the occasion of Diwali. "Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this festival further brightness and happiness. May everyone be prosperous and healthy," PM Modi tweeted.
On Friday, he appealed to citizens of the country to light a 'diya' on Diwali as a salute to the soldiers guarding the nation on the borders.
"This Diwali, let us also light a Diya as a #Salute2Soldiers who fearlessly protect our nation. Words can't do justice to the sense of gratitude we've for our soldiers for their exemplary courage. We're also grateful to families of those on the borders," he tweeted.
PM Modi also tweeted an audio clip of his recent 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, in which he had first given a call to citizens to light a 'diya' for soldiers on the festival of lights.
He said that even though all soldiers and frontline COVID-19 workers would not be home to celebrate the festival with their loved ones, the entire nation would pray for them.
World leaders wish people on the occasion of Diwali:
1. Justin Trudeau
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Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said, "Diwali reminds us that truth, light, and goodness will always prevail. To celebrate that hopeful message and mark this important festival, I joined a virtual celebration earlier this evening. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating!" (Image: Reuters)
Diwali reminds us that truth, light, and goodness will always prevail. To celebrate that hopeful message and mark this important festival, I joined a virtual celebration earlier this evening. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating! pic.twitter.com/2xLrqPW68u
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 13, 2020
2. Scott Morrison
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also extended Diwali greetings and said the festival's message carries "a special significance" this year as the world is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said Australia is the most successful multi-cultural nation on earth and "at this Diwali, I pay tribute to all those who have brought this tradition to our shores."
"Yes, we have seen darkness this year, but the light is overcoming that darkness. There is light ahead, and there is hope. Warmest greetings to everyone celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. It's a special moment for people of many faiths," Morrison said in his message. (Image: Reuters)
3. Boris Johnson
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson used the analogy of victory of light over darkness as reflective of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic crisis as part of their annual messages to mark the festival of Diwali on Saturday.
"This year, perhaps more than any other, Diwali holds a potent meaning for all of us; because just as surely as Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and brought his wife Sita home, and just as Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, so too I have every confidence that we shall triumph over COVID-19," Johnson said. (Image: Reuters)
4. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan extended his greetings to India on the occasion of Diwali.
On the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, we congratulate all those who celebrate around the world, and wish them continued prosperity and progress.
— (@MohamedBinZayed) November 13, 2020
"On the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, we congratulate all those who celebrate around the world, and wish them continued prosperity and progress," said the Crown Prince on Twitter. (Image: Reuters)
5. Consul General of India in Munich
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In a first of its kind, high ranking ministers and mayors of cities in South Germany partnered with the Consulate General of India in Munich for first virtual Diwali celebrations.
#Diwali wishes from Consul General @MohitYadavIFS #Indien pic.twitter.com/fxd6uEpcB7
— India in Munich (@cgmunich) November 13, 2020
The Diwali greetings were conveyed through the traditional Indian greeting "Namaste" which has now gained prominence all over the world as a part of hygiene protocol. (Image: Twitter/cgmunich)
6. Prince Charles
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Prince Charles released a Diwali message video through his South Asian diaspora-led charity British Asian Trust and pointed out how the festival this year coincides with his own 72nd birthday.
“This brings you all my warmest greetings on the occasion of Diwali and, for those of you marking a New Year, let me wish you a happy, peaceful and prosperous year ahead.”
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) November 12, 2020
The Prince of Wales sends his best wishes to those celebrating the Festival of #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/wMbOQ2xxHb
The Festival of Lights is, I know, a special time for families and friends to come together to share gifts and sweets and to enjoy each other's companies. Very sadly this year, the ongoing public health crisis means that this will simply not be possible for so many of you and I can so well imagine how difficult and disappointing this must be, said the heir to the British throne.
Amid these strange and difficult circumstances, however, I hope that you might still draw strength from the message of Diwali that ultimately good will triumph over evil, hope over despair and light over darkness, he said. (Image: Reuters)
