Members of the Dreketi Maha Vishnu Temple,

Invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaste, Bula Vinaka and a Good Evening to all of you.

It is a privilege to be present here today at the Dreketi Maha Vishnu Temple to celebrate with you, the Annual Temple Pooja, an important devotion for this community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are lucky to call Fiji our home – a nation so rich in diverse cultures and religions. I am especially grateful that in our society, we share the traditions and celebration of our fellow Fijians, as we do so today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have built a Fiji – that we know and love today through teamwork, unity and camaraderie.  These values bond us together in our great journey forward as a nation. And values that we have set in stone and protected in the Fijian Constitution.

A Constitution that, for the first time, establishes common and equal citizenry in Fiji, regardless of our background, our beliefs, our socioeconomic status, or where we live.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Fijians, we have shown that when we respect one another, when we work alongside our fellow Fijians and embrace our differences, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

The cultural values of Sangam recognises that every member can make valuable contributions in society with utmost sincerity and honesty – alongside teamwork and respect.

This contribution, especially by your members, is highly appreciated because it honours your founding fathers.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is what Fiji needs, we must continue our work to make Fiji a better, safer and more inclusive nation. We should continue opening doors of opportunity for our young people, and create a more knowledge-based society. And we must continue to hold our great belief in what this nation can accomplish, as we strive to make every year an even better year to be a Fijian.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With those words, my sincere thanks once again to the Members of the Dreketi Maha Vishnu Temple for continuing the tradition of the Annual Temple Pooja in the Lautoka community and I wish you all a wonderful celebration.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.