President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the many who extended their greetings to the people of Kerala on the festive occasion of Onam and assured the flood-affected people of the state that the entire nation is standing with them.

“Good wishes to fellow citizens, particularly to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, on Onam.  May this festival mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods, and gradually beginning to rebuild their lives,” wrote President Kovind on Twitter.

Good wishes to fellow citizens, particularly to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, on Onam. May this festival mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods, and gradually beginning to rebuild their lives #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 25, 2018

PM Modi expressed hope that the festival will give new strength to the people to overcome the adversities in the aftermath of the floods.

“May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days,” he said.

“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of its citizens,” wrote the PM on Twitter.

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 entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of it’s citizens.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi called for setting aside of all differences and unite for rebuilding Kerala.

“This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & 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,” he wrote on Twitter.

This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & 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.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 25, 2018

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, too, took to Twitter to praise the resolve shown by the people in the face of the worst flood in a century to have hit the state.

“The agony and distress faced by Kerala is matched by its verve and spirit in meeting the challenge. Warmest wishes for Onam. To better times,” he said.

Sporting legends PT Usha, who hails from Kerala, and Sachin Tendulkar, took, extended their greetings and appreciated the manner in which the people came together to fight the natural calamity which has, by estimation, caused a loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the state.

“Onam, subdued, but full of hope..Onam is here once again, and like always, we’ll celebrate. Only this time, instead of the usual festivities we are celebrating humanity, solidarity, togetherness, love and compassion for fellow human beings. #KeralaFloodRelief #RebuildKerala,” she wrote on Twitter.

“The people of Kerala have been through a lot in the last couple of weeks. But the spirit and resilience of Kerala will overcome all odds. May God bless ‘God’s own country’ always. #Onam #RebuildKerala,” wrote Tendulkar.

Onam, subdued, but full of hope..
Onam is here once again, and like always, we’ll celebrate. Only this time, instead of the usual festivities we are celebrating humanity, solidarity, togetherness, love and compassion for fellow human beings. #KeralaFloodRelief #RebuildKerala

— P.T. Usha (@PTUshaOfficial) August 24, 2018

ഓണം ആശംസകൾ
The people of Kerala have been through a lot in the last couple of weeks. But the spirit and resilience of Kerala will overcome all odds. May God bless ‘God’s own country’ always. #Onam #RebuildKerala

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 25, 2018

On Friday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged the people of his state to set an example in rebuilding efforts and said that Onam should be celebrated by helping those in need.

“Let’s celebrate this #Onam by bringing help to those among us who are suffering. More than a million of our people are in relief camps. We have together survived the worst disaster in our State’s history. Let us also set an example in rebuilding efforts,” a statement posted on his official Twitter account read.

Kerala has been witnessing its worst floods since 1924. Heavy rains and flooding have claimed over 300 lives since 8 August in the second spell of the monsoon.