New Delhi: The President, Vice President and Prime Minister today (March 5, 2004) greeted the people on the occasion of Holi and asked them to shed differences, work together and spread happiness.

"At this time when you are happy, when your family is happy and you are celebrating Holi, you should give your happiness, spread your happiness and share your happiness with the needy, which will blossom into heavenly happiness," President A P J Abdul Kalam said in a message on the eve of Holi.

In his message, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said, "The festivities of Holi help us to forget all differences and inhibitions and promote the spirit of unity. Let us celebrate Holi in its true spirit to strengthen social harmony and national integration."

Greeting the people, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the festival of colours symbolises the multi-hued unity in diversity of the nation.

"Holi marks the arrival of spring, a season, when Mother Nature manifests its beauty and grandeur in a colourful splash all around, rekindling the verve and zest for life," he said.

Observing that the festival symbolises mankind's quest for creativity, amity and togetherness in perfect harmony with Nature, he said, "Let the spirit of Holi continue to add colour to our lives and inspire us to shed our differences and work together to multiply happiness and prosperity for all."