President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Ramayan Bhajan Faag Mandli – Tacirua East Brach;
Members of the Executive Committee;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all.
I am delighted to be here this evening to officiate at the Grand Kirtan Night.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to pay tribute to the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, which has for almost 140 years contributed to the nation’s education sector with its 117 educational institutions.
Furthermore, the Sabha has contributed vastly to the upbringing of more than 250,000 followers and the progress of the Sabha is commendable.
Additionally, the Sabha’s involvement and integration with other organisations in meeting national goals is indeed noteworthy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fiji is a secular state as provided for in our 2013 Constitution, which gives every Fijian the right to practice the religion of their choice.
Religion plays a critical role in the lives of ordinary Fijians. Each and every religion teaches us to love and respect each other. And every day, the associates of Sabha uplift and enrich the lives of those around them.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What makes Fiji special is that, while Fijians follow many different religions, we remain bound together by the common aspirations of one nation, one people. The Sabha, through its teachings of peace and acceptance, contributes to that sense of unity and shared purpose.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our past gives us our identity, the knowledge of our existence and our cultural and traditional links. Fiji is recognized as one of the world’s most peaceful and happiest nation, where different cultures and traditional happily co-exist.
In Fiji, we celebrate Diwali, Christmas, Eid and many other religious holidays because we believe that faith has an important role to play in a free society. People of faith are a voice of mortality, who should lead by example. They should show compassion for our fellow human beings and at the same time, create goodwill. I therefore, encourage you all to be people of faith and voice of mortality.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Next week is a very important week, as the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy will be delivering the 2017-2018 Budget. This like all our budgets, will be forward looking and provide for policies for continued growth of the Fijian economy and benefit for the Fijian people.
The National Budget comes at the backdrop of a strong economic performance, with the Macroeconomic Committee recently revising the economic growth forecast to 3.8 percent. I am confident the Budget will further propel growth to new heights and ensure that benefits and development reaches all.
This is not wishful thinking, but is backed up the International Monetary Fund’s Regional Economic Outlook in their forecast for the Fijian economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is also the first time in the Fijian history that the economy has grown positively for 8 consecutive years.
That in a nutshell, is a positive and a promising indication of our prospects as a country. It simply means that the stable, sound and pro-growth policies of the Fijian Government have been bearing fruits and we will continue to provide an environment that leads to increased employment and better livelihood, especially for our grassroot communities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to tonight’s event, I have been informed that the Shree Sanatan Dharm Ramayan Bhajan Faag Mandli – Tacirua East branch, since its inception in 2000, now has 12 members. This is truly encouraging as it indicates the great interest from members of the community, who wish to participate in the good work that you do.
I have also been informed that the funds collected tonight, will go towards the purchasing of items and materials needed, to further the work that is currently being carried out. I therefore encourage you all to give generously as we experience the beautiful signing of sacred mantras and guided meditation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let tonight’s gathering nourish the soul and awaken our spiritual love to enable us to be generous and caring towards our fellow men and women.
With those few words, I wish you all an enjoyable evening and may you leave blissfully, happy and connected to a deeper world.
Thank You. Dhanyavaad.