PRESIDENT GREETS NATION ON THE EVE OF NEW YEAR 2003:

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The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has greeted the nation on the eve of New Year 2003. In a Message, the President said,

"My dear citizens,

I am indeed delighted to greet each one of you and the members of your family, for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year - 2003.

I have just returned from some of the severely drought affected rural areas of Rajasthan. There I witnessed a large number of people earnestly engaged in the construction of a check dam (anicut) hoping for rains. A young man glistening with sweat and covered with dust came forward, held my hand and asked me, "Kalam Sahib, please tell me when will our country be prosperous and happy". He was not thinking of or worried about his toil and pain. He had a strong urge to live in a prosperous India. Making water abundantly available particularly in drought affected areas is now a critical mission for India. I reassured him that we will all work hard to realise our vision to transform India into a developed nation even in the face of severe hardships in our life. May divine peace and strength enter each and every one of our billion people."