(GINA) President Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing the gathering Sunday evening at the Indian Arrival Committee’s mela at the National Park, expressed concern about the upsurge in the number of domestic violence cases here.

He said that religious leaders have a much more important role to play, since it is not just about administering to the spiritual needs of people, but also to their lifestyle needs.

President Jagdeo noted that women should be revered in the family and society.

He also expressed concern about the number of suicides committed by persons of Indian descent particularly Hindus. He said that many did not kill themselves out of economic circumstances nor hardships, but because of family problems and other difficulties.

The President stated that this needs to be analyzed. He said there is a support network and he urged persons to give a willing shoulder to others in difficult times.

Neglected children have also caught the attention of the Head of State, and explained that the ancestors of Indo-Guyanese had come here to create a better life for themselves and family.

President Jagdeo said that events such as the mela allow persons to be proud of their ancestors, what they are, what they have become, and the freedoms that are enjoyed in the country today. He urged that these freedoms be not taken for granted, and today Guyanese should use resilience and strength to survive the tough journey ahead, in the same way that this was used by the indentured Indians to overcome the hardships on the plantations.