PRESIDENT David Granger greeted Christmas 2016 worshipping with parishioners at the Christmas Eve Service of the Anglican Diocese of Christ Church Parish, which ended just after

midnight.

Later in the morning, the Head of State, accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, toured the maternity ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); and that same afternoon he attended the Dharm Shala’s annual Christmas Luncheon in Albouystown.

The Dharm Shala is a home of benevolence for persons of all races and religions, and the Head of State joined the institution’s administration to serve food and distribute gifts to senior citizens resident there.

Delivering brief remarks, President Granger thanked Misses Pamela and Kella Ramsaroop, granddaughters of the founder of the institution, the late Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj, for their

dedication and service over the years; and said Christmas is an important festival that underscores the message of peace, love, goodwill and kindness to humanity.

“Right here in the Dharm Shala we see a manifestation of that message of goodwill to one another. Jesus came at a time when there was much cruelty in the world; and it was Jesus who introduced, in His Gospel and His mission, that feeling of humanity and the need to deal with one another just the way God deals with us,” the President said.

Ms. Pamela Ramsaroop, an executive member of the Board of the Dharm Shala, delivering

the institution’s annual report, informed that the institution is playing its role in the ‘green economy’, as it is currently part of a project named ‘Grow Your Own’, in which a greenhouse was recently constructed at the Albouystown facility. She also spoke of the extensive repair works done to Dharm Shala buildings in both Georgetown and Berbice.

At the maternity ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the President and First Lady distributed hampers to mothers and their newborn babies, and gifts to the nursing staff. Up to the time of the President and First Lady’s visit, the hospital had welcomed five Christmas Day births.

The First Couple stopped to admire each infant in the ward, and spoke to each mother in the ward, who was proud to share this special moment of their lives.

The Head of State also distributed coins to the patients, some bearing the Coat of Arms and the Presidential Coat of Arms, and others bearing the 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Logo as the jubilee year draws closer to an end.

(Ministry of the Presidency)