Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal
Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday extended Tamil New year greetings on the eve of the festival.
This is the first major festival to be celebrated in the state during the ongoing lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In his greetings, Purohit said the new year is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month 'Chithirai' every year to "mark the onset of peace, prosperity and joy in our families" and stressed on social distancing.
"It (the new year) marks the greatness of our tradition, heritage and culture. May the state and its people be filled with hope and happiness for a glorious future during this year," he said in his message.
Purohit urged people to resolve to work together in the spirit of harmony and friendship to usher in progress and development so as to create a brighter and better tomorrow.
"I also request all the people of Tamil Nadu to follow the government guidelines regarding COVID-19 scrupulously and to stay at home and be safe," he said.
Palaniswami said the Tamil people, known for their pluralism and culture, had been celebrating the new year in Chithirai for long.
His government was striving to realise the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's aim of making the state numero uno in many areas, including economy and social justice.
"Let prosperity flourish in the homes on the occasion of the new year and let there be light of joy in all our lives," he said in his greetings.
TNCC president K S Alagiri said the new year was being celebrated during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"People are confined indoors due to social distancing and isolation. They are living in unprecedented fear. I request people to celebrate the new year from their homes," he said in a statement.
AMMK leader and independent legislator TTV Dhinakaran also extended his greetings.
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