Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has conveyed his best and greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Losar, the new year festival of the Monpas that begins Friday.

“A very happy Losar, first day of the Wood Iron Ox year of 2148,” wished Khandu in a message this evening.

“Let’s close out the old year and bid goodbye to all its bad aspects and negativities and invite all good, auspicious things into our homes and our lives,” he added.

Buddhists mark the festival as a victory of good over evil and it is celebrated with religious fervour to ward off evil spirits and welcome the New Year with hope and joy.

“I pray Lord Buddha on this holy occasion to bestow our people with good health and prosperity. Let this year be the end of the Corona pandemic and all sentient beings live in peace and harmony with nature,” the Chief Minister said in the message.