<p id="content">Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted people on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti. He said the ideals of the saint, which were based on social harmony, equality and justice, will continue to inspire the countrymen.</p>
"Best wishes to all of you on Valmiki Jayanti. His ideal ideas based on social harmony, equality and justice will always inspire the countrymen," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Valmiki Jayanti is being celebrated across India on the birth anniversary of the famous sage Maharishi Valmiki, who composed the epic, Ramayana in Sanskrit. On this day, followers of the Valmiki sect carry out Shobha Yatras or processions and sing devotional songs and bhajan.

Maharishi Valmiki is also called the Adi Kavi or the first poet in the Sanskrit language. He is also responsible for writing the first-ever Sanskrit shlokas.

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon night or "Purnima" of the Ashwin month. This day is also commemorated as 'Pragati Diwas'. On this auspicious day many worship the poet by reciting verses of the Ramayana at Valmiki temples across the country.

It is said that Maharishi Valmiki did intense penance for years to attain the stature of a great saint. Valmiki's life teaches us that no one is born as good or evil. It is one's deeds that determine his greatness..