SAARC Diary: Sri Lanka Prays for India, India Gifts X-Ray Machines to Bhutan
NEW DELHI, May 5: The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Government and people of India, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the clergy and people of Sri Lanka for their on-going prayers and good wishes for India fighting a pandemic of epic proportions.
A statement by the High Commission said, “We are overwhelmed by the number of calls and messages we have got, in addition to the special ceremonies being held in various parts of Sri Lanka for the health and well-being of the citizens of India. These prayers and well wishes have touched and humbled the High Commission, and they are a true reflection of the deep people-to-people connection and millennia-old ties that exist between India and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan nationals from different walks of life who received their education in India came together to express their solidarity with India. In Sri Lanka, hashtags like ‘thinkingofindia’ and ‘prayforindia’ are trending on social media. Several associations and businesses have also issued public requests for several other one-of-a-kind solidarity gestures.
Prayers and rituals for Indian people have been held in various parts of Sri Lanka, across religious lines, including the Anglican Church’s Sunday service. The ‘Rathna Sutra’ a Buddhist discourse and the Bharatha Ashirvada Pooja was chanted in various temples.
The Hindu Religious Forum arranged a special prayer at Jaffna’s Kandarmadam Nataraj Temple and the Shirdi Sai Centre in Colombo. As part of these special prayers, Ved Paarayan and Thirumurai recitals were recited. On Wednesday, prayers were offered at the Gangaramaya Temple in Sri Naga Vihara in Jaffna.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs are collaborating on a seven-day recital that will begin on Thursday. On Friday, a special Puja dedicated to Goddess Dhanvantari will be held at the Mayurpathy Temple in Colombo. On Saturday, Mahamritunjaya Yagya will be held at all five Eshwarams in Sri Lanka.
It may be recalled that in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28, 2021, President of Sri Lanka had expressed deep empathy and concern. During a meeting with High Commissioner Gopal Baglay the Prime Minister too had expressed his feelings and solidarity with India.
BHUTAN
Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Ambassador to Bhutan, presented six additional Skanmobile DR mobile X-Ray units to Foreign Minister Dr. Tandi Dorji as a gift from the people and Government of India to the people and Royal Government of Bhutan. The X-Ray machines will be installed in regional hospitals in Bhutan.
According to the Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was also attended by Kinga Singye the Foreign Secretary and Dr Pandup Tshering the Health Secretary, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Government of India has been assisting the Royal Government in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying PPEs, drugs, and test kits through the SAARC Emergency COVID-19 Fund, which was established on March 15, 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Despite the enormous surge in COVID-19 cases in India, the people and Government of India continue to support Bhutan in its response efforts to COVID-19. The Royal Government and the people of Bhutan remain deeply grateful for the generous assistance,” Bhutan ministry said.
(Venkatesh Iyer)
