Prez’s message of unity on Iftar party

New Delhi: The spirit of Ramzan will instill in every Indian a sense of unity and pride in the composite culture of India, President Pranab Mukherjee said today during an Iftar reception hosted by him at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He urged everyone to spread love, affection and mutual trust during this holy month, a press release issued by the President’s office said.

Mukherjee expressed the hope that the spirit of Ramzan will instill in every Indian a sense of unity and pride in the composite culture of India, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conspicuous by his absence.

Dignitaries who attended the Iftar included Vice President Hamid Ansari, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Besides them, Sitaram Yechury, Sheila Dikshit, heads of diplomatic missions, religious leaders and public figures from various walks of life attended.