Friday, December 24 2004 14:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: "Please give joy to the needy," President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Dec 24, 2004) said while greeting people on the occasion of Christmas.

In a message, Kalam said, "Christmas is a day of peace and happiness to mankind. When you friends celebrate peace and happiness, please give and give joy to the needy. That indeed is the significance of Christmas."

He said on the auspicious occasion "I convey my warm greetings to all the people of India."

In his message, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said, "Jesus Christ showed us the path of love, compassion, tolerance, peace and righteousness, which shaped our spiritual consciousness. In our troubled times, his enlightened teachings are a beacon of hope to the mankind".

Greeting the people of the country, he said, "On this joyous occasion, let us rededicate ourselves to the essence of Jesus Christ's teachings, which have the power to transform our lives."