New Delhi:President Pranab Mukherjee greeted the nation on Durga Puja Friday and urged people to rise above man-made divides and build a society where women are empowered and respected.

“On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend warm greetings to all my countrymen,” the president said in a statement here.

“Durga Puja, also known as Sharadutsav, symbolises the victory of virtue over evil. Let us, on this day, rise above the evils of sectarianism, intolerance and man-made divides,” he added.

The president urged the people to make a commitment to secularism and communal harmony.

“Let us dedicate ourselves to the practice and promotion of mutual understanding, peace and non-violence,” he said.

“Re-affirmation of faith in the unity of all religions and commitment to secularism and communal harmony would be the best tribute to Goddess Durga,” he added.

The president said “Goddess Durga signifies Shakti – the infinite power of the universe and a symbol of female dynamism.”

“May this Durga Puja strengthen our society’s moral fibre and inspire us to build a society where women are respected and empowered to become equal partners in building of the nation,” he added.