Chandigarh, January 13 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while extending warm greetings to the people of the State on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and Lohri, wished for happiness, peace, prosperity and wealth for everyone.

In a message issued here today, the Chief Minister said that with the onset of the New Year, these festivals falling in the month of January are celebrated with different names in different parts of the country. In the states of North India, it is celebrated as Lohri and Makar Sankranti, while in South India it is celebrated as Pongal and in the North Eastern states as Bihu and in many other states it is celebrated as Garhi Padwa and Uttarayan.

The Chief Minister said that the main goal is to welcome the New Year and wish for good crop yields in the country.

He said that these festivals are an important part of our cultural heritage and these festivals strengthen the communal harmony and cultural fabric of the country. He said that in view of the COVID pandemic, we have to celebrate such festivals while adhering to the COVID protocols.