As God's Own Country starts on the long road to recovery, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that the festival of Onam will give new strength to its people to overcome the adversities in the aftermath of the floods that ravaged the state.
"May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days," the Prime Minister tweeted on Saturday.
He assured them that the entire nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the state and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of its citizens.
Over the last fortnight, Kerala witnessed the worst floods in a century that claimed 293 lives and destroyed property worth several thousand crores of rupees.
Reflecting the sentiment, Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent his greetings on Onam, saying, "Our society is the one who faces difficulties. We will survive the toxic substances we are facing today.
Tomorrow, we will make good memories. For all the Malayalees, all over the world."
Vijayan also reassured those who lost their documents in the calamity. "The government is preparing to provide all the important documents and certificates for those who have lost their Aadhaar and ration cards in the floods," he tweeted.
From United Kingdom, Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked people to take a pledge on Onam to put aside differences, stand united together and focus on rebuilding Kerala.
"This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala," he said on Twitter. "In relief camps and homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam, let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala."
West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined in in greeting Malayalees on the harvest festival. "We are sure you will overcome the pain of the destruction caused by the devastating #KeralaFloods and prepare for a bountiful harvest next year,"she tweeted.
