Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice President M Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and several Central Ministers and dignitaries graced the ‘Sankranti Milan’ organized by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu here on January 21, 2018.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President Naidu said that the festival Makar Sankranti, dedicated to Sun God, symbolizes ‘Uttarayan’ or the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun. Celebrated with different names all over the country, the festivals of Makar Sankranti and Pongal symbolize the happiness that comes with good harvest and is a celebration of a positive transformation in people’s lives, he added.
The Vice President said that Makar Sankranti Festival is also an occasion to revitalize our lives through prayers and reverence for rivers and all living beings. He further said that on this day lakhs of people take holy dip in the sacred rivers. This is the only festival which marks the start of new season called by so many names, and in every culture the food prepared is essentially Khichdi (Lentil & Rice preparation) both Sweet (traditionally with Jaggery) and Spicy varieties, he added, according to a PIB release.
The Vice President said let us join hands in paying tribute to the real heroes of the country, the Indian farmers for their relentless effort.