PM Narendra Modi greets nation on Janmashtami

NEW DELHI: On the occasion of Janmashtami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the nation.   "Janmashtami greetings to all," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. On the eve of Janmashtami, President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the nation and said Lord Krishna's life and teachings emphasize the importance of performing one's duty without thought of reward. "Lord Krishna's life and teachings emphasize the importance of performing one's duty without thought of reward, of different paths leading to the same goal and of the importance of ethical and moral values to society," President Mukherjee said in his message. "On this auspicious day celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, let us commit ourselves to following the path of virtue and righteousness in thought, word and deed," he added. Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari also greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. In a message, he said that the eternal message of performing our duties with sincerity without attachment to the results bestowed by Lord Krishna in the 'Bhagwad Geeta' has been a source of inspiration for the entire humanity. Janmashtami, a day calls for worshiping the God and offering specially made food items, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna according to the Hindu calendar. Janmashtami which is celebrated with zeal every year is considered to be one of the major festivals in the Indian calendar as Hindus across different regions consider this day to be auspicious and follow various customs to show their devotion to their beloved God. Though different regions carry out the celebrations in their own ways, most people fast the entire day and stay up till midnight which is believed to be the time when Lord Krishna was born.