New Delhi, November 13: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday greeted people on the eve of Diwali, saying the festival is a reminder that there is a need to constantly quell demonic forces and foster goodness and harmony in society. In his message, he said Deepawali signifies the victory of good over evil and reaffirms our belief in the noble ideals and morals of Lord Ram's life.

"The festival reminds us that we need to constantly quell the demonic forces and foster goodness and harmony in our society," he said. The festival is always an occasion for family and friends to come together and celebrate. Diwali 2020: PM Narendra Modi Likely to Celebrate Deepavali With Indian Soldiers Deployed in Border Areas, Say Reports.

But this year, given the unprecedented health emergency due to COVID-19, Naidu urged people to celebrate Deepawali by adhering to health and hygiene protocols.

"May this festival dispel the darkness of ignorance and kindle the light of knowledge and enlightenment. May it bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in our lives," he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)