New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday greeted the nation on the eve of the New Year and wished for joy, peace and happiness.
In her message, the president said: “On the occasion of New Year, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens.”

Patil urged everyone to dedicate themselves to ensuring “the welfare and progress of our nation and all its people by strengthening the bonds of mutual trust and compassion” during the new year”.

In his greetings, the prime minister said that “as we welcome the dawn of a new decade, we should build upon the achievements of the past in striving for the realisation of our dreams”.

“May the year 2010 see the fulfilment of the aspirations of our countrymen and ensure peace, prosperity and happiness all around,” he said.

Greeting all citizens, the vice president said: “Like every year, this New Year also brings renewed hopes and expectations along with more challenges which can only be fulfilled by working unitedly with greater resolve and dedication.”

“Let us work together in the New Year to meet these challenges facing the country and strive towards building a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous India,” he added.