GEORGETOWN: Shared culture, friendship hailed as India observes 75 years of Independence

GEORGETOWN: As India observed 75 years of
Independence on Sunday, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips
highlighted that India’s culture and friendship have added to the development
of Guyana over the years.

The Prime
Minister said this while speaking at an Independence day celebration held at
the Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre in Georgetown on Sunday.

As the
country celebrates its 75th anniversary as an independent nation, the Prime
Minister underscored, “As one of the fastest growing economies in the world and
with its vast potential in manufacturing and innovation, 75 years later, India
stands as a shining example of the power that freedom, ideas, achievement,
action and resolve can have on any country.”

Importantly,
the Prime Minister said that the friendship between the two countries has
fostered significant benefits for Guyana.

He
highlighted that it was only a few months ago that the country made a generous
donation of 80,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to bolster Guyana’s COVID-19
vaccination rollout.

The Prime
Minister also related that the two countries have been partnering on a number
of infrastructural projects, and in the areas of education and oil and gas.

The Prime
Minister’s sentiments were echoed by other members of cabinet.

In fact,
Acting Foreign Minister and Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted
that the vaccine donations, coupled with the donation of other much-needed
medical supplies, have helped to prevent many COVID-19 related hospitalisations
and deaths.

Meanwhile,
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr K.J Srinivasa said that India should be
counted as one of Guyana’s “stable friends”.

“India
and Guyana have shared a lot and I believe that in the coming years we will be
partners in progress,” the High Commissioner said.

He later
added, “… we are very happy to share our expertise to upgrade skills, expand
capacity and at the same time to see that Guyana gets the best of what it
deserves”.

As part
of the independence anniversary celebrations, the High Commission had also
organised a flag-raising ceremony on Sunday morning, at Swami Vivekananda
Cultural Centre.

Additionally,
the Indian Arrival Monument in Palmyra, Region Six, was illuminated in the
colours of the Indian flag (orange, white and green) on Sunday.