On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, President Pranab Mukherjee has today extended his warm greetings to all his fellow citizens in India and abroad.
"Goddess Durga is the embodiment of Shakti. She is the divine feminine force that governs all cosmic creation, existence and change. Durga Puja celebrates the triumph of righteousness over evil," said President Mukherjee in his message.
"May this festival help us rise above all man-made divides and spread peace, happiness and prosperity in our country. Let us pray that Goddess Durga bless us with strength, courage and determination so that we can succeed in our efforts to build a just, humane and equal society," he added.
"Let us, resolve to accord the highest of honour and respect to women at all times," he concluded.
Earlier today, President Mukherjee also took part in Durga Puja at his ancestral house in district Birbhum of Mirati in West Bengal.