New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday extended warm greetings to the people of India on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and other harvest festivals celebrated across the country, highlighting India’s cultural diversity, agrarian roots and the spirit of togetherness.
In a message shared on social media, Kharge said that as the nation comes together to celebrate its vibrant harvest traditions, the festivals should inspire gratitude, joy and unity. “As India comes together to celebrate its vibrant harvest traditions, may the air be filled with gratitude, joy, and togetherness. We extend our warmest greetings to everyone,” he said. Listing the festivals celebrated in different regions, Kharge added, “May the festivities of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Suggi Habba, Maghi, Bhogali Bihu, Khichdi, Paush Parva, Uttarayan, and Makaravilakku usher in boundless happiness, good health, and lasting prosperity for all.”
Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his wishes, underscoring the themes of renewal and hope associated with the harvest season. “Greetings on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Suggi Habba, Maghi, Bhogali Bihu, Khichdi, Paush Parva, Uttarayan, and Makaravilakku,” he said, adding, “May these harvest festivals usher in new beginnings, hope, happiness, and fill your lives with joy and prosperity.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the festivals reflect India’s diversity and deep connection with nature. Extending greetings on Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, she noted that the occasion marks the Uttarayana, or the northward journey of the Sun, and the arrival of new harvests. “These festivals are symbols of our diversity and our deep love for nature, which further enrich our social and cultural traditions,” she said. “I pray to God that these festivals bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into the lives of all fellow citizens.”
Makar Sankranti and related harvest festivals are celebrated across India under different names, marking the end of winter, the harvest of crops and the Sun’s transition into Capricorn. Traditionally associated with thanksgiving, community bonding and agricultural abundance, the festivals hold special significance for farmers and rural communities, while also reinforcing the country’s shared cultural heritage despite regional variations. UNI SKA AAB
