Indian president, PM greet nation on New Year's eve

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday greeted the nation on New Year's eve. "On the joyous occasion of New Year, I convey my warmest greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad," said the president, expressing high hopes for the coming new year. "The New Year is a time for each one of us to reflect upon the year gone by, the successes and achievements as well as the lapses and shortcomings," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "May the dawn of the New Year inspire all of us to strive for the creation of an enlightened society where knowledge is converted into social good and economic wealth. May the spirit of innovation ignite the young minds of our nation," he said. "Let us resolve to make it a year in which the people of the country in all their rich diversity unite to work towards the collective goal of inclusive development and growth....May the New Year ring out violence, exploitation and suffering and ring in peace, equity and goodwill," said the Indian the president. Singh said the new year "provides an opportunity to reassess ourselves and to plan for the year ahead, taking corrective action and setting new goals. It is a time of hope, a time to make a new beginning with resolve and confidence to achieve these goals."