His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Fiji, Bainimarama ji, Sadhguru Madhusudan Sai, all trustees of the Sai Prem Foundation, staff members of the hospital, distinguished guests, and my dear brothers and sisters of Fiji!

'नि-साम बुला विनाका',

Namaskar !

It gives me immense pleasure to be associated with this launch event of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital in Suva. I thank His Excellency Prime Minister of Fiji and the people of Fiji for this. This is yet another symbol of our mutual relationship and love. This is another chapter in the shared journey of India and Fiji. I am told that this Children's Heart Hospital is the first Children's Heart Hospital not only in Fiji, but also in the entire South Pacific region. For a region where heart-related diseases are a major challenge, this hospital will be a medium of giving new lease of life to thousands of children. I am glad that every child here will not only get world class treatment, but all the surgeries will also be 'free of cost'. I express my sincere appreciation to the Fiji government, to the Sai Prem Foundation Fiji and to the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital of India for the same.

Especially, on this occasion, I bow to the Brahmalin Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The seed planted by him for the service to humanity is serving people today like a banyan tree. I have said earlier also that Sathya Sai Baba had done a wonderful job of freeing spirituality from rituals and connecting it to public welfare. His work in the field of education, his work in the field of health, his service towards the poor, down-trodden and deprived, still inspires us. The people of Gujarat could never forget the way Baba's followers had served the victims when Gujarat was devastated by an earthquake two decades ago. I consider it my great fortune that I have been blessed by Sathya Sai Baba continuously. I have been associated with him for many decades and I am getting his blessings even today.

Friends,

It is said in India, ''परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः''। That is, charity is the asset of a noble man. Our resources are meant for service to human beings and welfare of living beings. It is on these values that the common heritage of India and Fiji has stood. Following these ideals, India has performed its duties even in difficult times like the Corona pandemic. It is also said,'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which means, the whole world is one family. Considering this motto, India sent medicines and essential goods to 150 countries of the world. Apart from its crores of citizens, India also took care of the people of other countries of the world. We have sent around 100 million vaccines to about 100 countries. In this endeavour, we have also kept Fiji as our priority. I am glad that the Sai Prem Foundation is here to carry forward that feeling of affinity of the whole of India for Fiji.

Friends,

There is a vast sea between our two countries, but our culture has kept us connected with each other. Our relationships are built on mutual respect, cooperation, and the strong mutual ties of our people. It is the good fortune of India that we have been getting the opportunity to play a role and contribute to the socio-economic development of Fiji. In the last decades, India-Fiji relations have continuously flourished and strengthened in every field. With the cooperation of Fiji and His Excellency Prime Minister, this relationship will get stronger in the times to come. Incidentally, it is also the birthday of my friend Prime Minister Bainimarama ji. I wish him a very happy birthday. I also once again convey my best wishes to all the members associated with Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital. I am sure, this hospital will become a strong institution for service in Fiji and the region as a whole, and will take India-Fiji relations to new heights.

Thank you very much!

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/LP/AK/IG