Shekhawat in Guyana

Georgetown, Guyana, Nov 7 (UNI) Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was today given the keys to the capital of Guyana in an emotional welcome to the South American country on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Indian ambassador Avinash Chandra Gupta received Dr Shekhawat at the airport. A large number of Indian immigrants waved the tricolour from both sides of the road on his way to the city to accord a warm welcome to him.

Dr Shekhawat said he was touched by the gesture of Guyana citizens in erecting a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the city.

The Gandhian philosophy of non-violence, truth and compassion are relevant even today, he said after offering floral tributes at the statue.

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton presented the keys of the city to the Vice-President, who will be inaugurating a new cricket stadium funded by India, which will be one of the venues for the next year's World Cup hosted by West Indies.

The 15000-seater stadium for which India has provided a grant of 6 million dollars has been named the Providence Cricket Stadium.

During his stay in Guyana till November 9, the Indian Vice President will hold talks with President Bharat Jagdev and the Prime Minister on boosting relations between the two countries.

He will also inaugurate the Ravindra Nath Centre, established here by the Guyana university. The centre would give information on Indian literature and books.

Dr Shekhawat will be in Trinidad and Tobago from November 9 to 11.

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