Governor K. Rosaiah, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and a host of leaders have extended their greetings to people on the eve of the harvest festival Pongal.

“On the happy occasion of Pongal — the harvest festival and sankranthi, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people living all over the country,” Mr Rosaiah said in a Raj Bhavan communiqué here.

He wished that these festivals promote unity and harmony among people and usher in peace and prosperity.

In her message, Ms Jayalalithaa said she prayed the almighty for all-round prosperity and said the festival reaffirmed the need for compassion and truth.

“To provide food to others before self is a divine characteristic. The farmers who are working with this motive fit that bill. Therefore my government is taking all steps to ensure their welfare,” the chief minister said.

This time, Pongal will be celebrated as the harvest festival alone and not as Tamil New Year, since the AIADMK government under Ms Jayalalithaa had reversed the previous DMK government decision of observing the New Year on Thai 1 instead of Chithirai (April) according to the Tamil calendar.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, DMDK founder and Opposition leader Vijayakanth, TNCC president B.S. Gnanadesikan, PMK founder Dr S. Ramadoss and BJP state unit president Pon Radhakrishnan also greeted people.