Messages of love and peace pour in on Christmas eve
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 24: Messages of peace, love and amity have poured in from different quarters on Christmas eve.

Greeting the people of Manipur, particularly the Christians, Governor Dr SS Sidhu in a statement said that Lord Jesus was born to build a new world order based on peace, justice and equality of mankind.

Children pose the lens at Poumai Baptist Church along with Santa Claus on Christmas eve during an advent Christmas celebration

�In celebrating His birth, we, besides paying our obeisance to this outstanding apostle of peace, have to rededicate ourselves to the ideals, principles and eternal values espoused by Him,� said the Governor.

The message of love, mercy, forgiveness, benevolence, compassion and sacrifices has become increasingly important at the present juncture, when the atmosphere is polluted with enmity and hatred between man and man and Nation and Nation, said the Governor and added that �this is man made�.

There is no enmity between soul and soul, observed Dr Sidhu and exhorted, �Let the principles enunciated and message preached by Him, guide the mankind to build a prosperous society and a peaceful world�.

Wishing the people of Manipur a Merry Christmas, the Governor urged all to pray to God for peace, harmony and prosperity for Manipur as well as its people.

Chief Minister O Ibobi has also greeted the people on the occasion of Christmas.

In a message issued to the press, the Chief Minister said that the birth of Lord Jesus on this earth, heralds peace, goodwill and love among mankind and also between mankind and the Almighty God.

�Every person who believes in God, irrespective of caste, creed and religion should be a messenger of peace, goodwill and love,� added the Chief Minister.

Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya has also extended his greetings to the people and said that the lessons of love and peace, espoused by Lord Jesus Christ should be kept alive.

The MP added that he also personally takes part in paying respect to Lord Jesus on Christmas.

President of MPCC (I) and MLA Gaikhangam has also greeted the people.

In a message, the MPCC (I) president said that Jesus Christ is the symbol of love, brotherhood and humanity and prayed that the celebration of Christmas bring the people closer together to a peaceful, happy and prosperous world.

Joining in greeting the people, Vice Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee, MLA Khangthuanang Panmei in a message said that understanding the sanctity of Christmas and Jesus Christ will help mankind to bring love, unity, peace, and harmony.

The MLA also prayed that the coming new year, 2008 will wipe away all ill wills and enmity amongst the people.

Extending his greetings to the people on behalf of all ranks, the GOC of 3 Corps prayed that Christmas would usher in peace, harmony and prosperity to the people of Manipur.

Celebrating Christmas should be based on the message of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all, said the GOC.

The GOC also wished that the coming new year would bring peace and progress and prayed that Manipur flourishes and is blessed with everlasting peace.

IGAR South Major General BK Chengappa on behalf of all ranks of the Assam Rifles has also greeted the people on the occasion of Christmas.

Sending a message of peace, harmony, unity and understanding on the occasion, the IG wished that Christmas will bring goodwill and harmony to all irrespective of caste, creed and faith.

The Manipur Baptist Convention has also conveyed its heartiest greetings to all the people on the occasion of Christmas.

May this Christmas bring a lot of happiness, delight and everlasting peace and joy to the citizens of Manipur, said MBC and prayed that peace and the grace of �God in our Lord Jesus Christ be upon this beautiful golden land of Manipur�.

The Kuki Women Union has also greeted the Christian brethren on the occasion of Christmas.

The Union has also appealed to all the militant outfits as well as security personnel to maintain peace, so that the people can enjoy Christmas and the coming new year successfully.

Greeting the people especially the Christians of Manipur, the United Committee Manipur prayed the birth of Lord Jesus Christ is able to bring the different community living in Manipur closer together and usher in peace and harmony.

On the occasion, UCM also urged all to shed narrow communal outlook and work collectively for the betterment of the society as a whole.

Calling Lord Jesus Christ as the epitome of peace, irrespective of caste and creed, love and unity the All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO) prayed to the Lord to forgive all the past sins so that the people can start a new life based on love, peace, understanding and unity.

AMESCO said that it would also go to different places and take part in celebrating Christmas.

Greeting the people particularly the Christians, the Manipur Forward Youth Front has urged all to shed their differences and live together as one in peace and harmony.

The Women Association for Civic Action, Kangleipak has also greeted the people on the occasion of Christmas and urged to live together in peace by keeping aside their different religion affiliations, community and class as well to remove all the differences between the hill and plain people.

The United Hills Village Authorities Council, Manipur has prayed that peace and love prevail on the occasion of the biggest festival of the Christians.

Recalling the teachings of Christ, the Council said that true obeisance and worship of the Lord will fructify when people remove all hatred amongst themselves and urged all to learn the value of living together in amity, peace and love.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal has also joined the others in greeting the people on the occasion of Christmas.

Calling all, particularly the Christians, to remember the message of love and peace, championed by Jesus Christ, the RJD urged all to live by His teachings to make Christmas more meaningful.