Srinagar, November 7: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Ab Rahim Rather, has extended warm greetings and felicitations to the people on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, wishing them happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being.
In his felicitation message, Rather described Diwali as a festival that represents the cherished values of love, compassion, mutual respect and togetherness. He observed that the festival holds a special significance in India’s rich cultural and civilisational heritage, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
He said that Diwali reflects the country’s age-old tradition of pluralism, secularism and peaceful coexistence, reinforcing the spirit of Unity in Diversity, which constitutes the foundation of India’s composite cultural ethos. Such festivals, he added, provide valuable opportunities to strengthen social bonds, promote mutual understanding and reaffirm faith in the shared values that unite people across communities and regions.
The Speaker emphasised that the strength of Jammu and Kashmir lies in its pluralistic traditions, communal harmony and the centuries-old bonds of brotherhood among its diverse communities. He said that festivals like Diwali serve as a reminder of the need to preserve and further strengthen these cherished traditions for the larger interests of peace, stability and collective progress.
Rather expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would bring renewed optimism and happiness into the lives of people and usher in an era of lasting peace, prosperity, harmony and accelerated development, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also prayed that the festival of lights may illuminate every home with happiness, dispel the darkness of despair and difficulties, and bring peace, good health and prosperity to all sections of society.
