Lok Sabha speaker greets nation on Christmas eve

NEW DELHI - Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar greeted the nation on Christmas eve Friday, saying that the festive occasion should make people more compassionate towards those who are not getting the benefits of the “spectacular growth” of India.

Extending her greetings to the nation, Meira Kumar said: “It is an opportunity to celebrate the noble message of Jesus Christ to propagate the eternal virtues of tolerance, harmony and brotherhood.”

She said the festival, besides being a time to “rejoice in the company of family and friends, the spirit of this beautiful festival also allows us to nurture feelings of compassion and charity towards those who stand on the periphery of our spectacular growth”.

She also prayed that the festival would “inspire us to get rid of the vicious circle of ignorance and violence around us, and fill the lives of all our brothers and sisters with peace and prosperity”.