Christmas greetings from president, vice president, PM

New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday greeted the nation on Christmas and hoped it would bring peace and happiness.

President Patil said in her greeting to the people on Christmas Eve: 'Let us recall the teachings of Jesus Christ and pledge to dedicate ourselves to spread his universal message of love and compassion.'

'Let us also ensure that people from the disadvantaged sections of the society are also able to participate in this celebration, which is indeed the spirit of Christmas,' she added.

The vice president said Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and his teachings.

'The festival reminds us of spiritual effulgence of Jesus Christ's teachings that could help realise the vision of a peaceful and harmonious world. May the holy festival of Christmas bless us all with peace, prosperity and happiness,' he added.

The prime minister said the festival was an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of sharing and imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ.

'Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is an occasion for hope and happiness and provides an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of sharing and brotherhood.'

He added: 'We should rededicate ourselves on this occasion to imbibe the life and teachings of Christ for the welfare of humankind.

'I urge people to work for the uplift of the needy and underprivileged.'