THE Guyana Jyoti Association on Saturday last held a small ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of a new Mandir to be established in the village of Craig, East Bank Demerara.

In attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting President, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, former President, Donald Ramotar, members of the opposition and other stakeholders.

Greenidge said, “Guyana as a multi-cultural society needs to continue to embrace diversity; especially in the way it markets itself internationally”. The minister commended the Jyoti Association for its dedication in ensuring that religion and culture remain evident in Guyana.

Minister Ally recalled the group first approaching her when she was appointed Minister of Social Cohesion. She said since then they have persevered in ensuring that the building of Craig Mandir was realised. The vision behind this venture is to assist in the fostering of social cohesion while developing the community and its peoples. As a part of the launch there was a cultural presentation and the ceremonial breaking of a coconut on the soil. Members of the Association and other persons present applauded the Government for its continued support.