IANS
 
New Delhi, Dec 31: President Pratibha Patil and prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday greeted the nation on New Year urging them to work for the betterment of the country and the underprivileged.

Wishing the citizens peace and prosperity in 2008, Patil said: "In this New Year let us all strive to work for the betterment of the nation and do our bit in making the world a better place by helping the underprivileged and the needy."

In his message issued on the eve of the New Year, Manmohan Singh reminded people that it was a time "to reflect upon the year gone by, upon our successes, achievements and mistakes".

"It makes us wise to our strengths and weaknesses and gives us a chance to set new goals. It is a time for stocktaking and making a new start in achieving our individual and collective goals," he said.

The prime minister also said the New Year would be a time to rejoice in India's democratic traditions and brace oneself for future challenges.

Vice president Hamid Ansari also greeted the people on the occasion.

Pointing out that the dawn of the New Year ushers in new hopes and expectations Ansari said: "As millions of our citizens face the immense challenges of poverty, illiteracy and ill health, we should resolve to tackle these on a priority basis. This requires the concerted efforts of every one of us.

"The hopes and expectations of becoming a developed nation free from these problems, where every citizen can fully realise one's potential, can only be fulfilled when we resolve to work in unison with dedication and commitment," the vice president said in his message.