Vunika Community Welcomes Restored Ganesh Mandir

The Vunika community in Labasa is celebrating the successful renovation of their Vunika Shree Sidhi Ganesh Mandir, a project that has restored the temple's structural integrity and ensured its continued service to devotees.

The temple, a cornerstone of the Vunika community since its establishment in the early 1940s, had fallen into disrepair due to significant termite damage. This damage weakened the wooden structures, posing safety risks to the more than 200 worshippers who regularly attend from Vunika and surrounding areas.

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The support was important in addressing the damage and ensuring the temple remained safe and functional.

Financial support for the crucial renovation came from the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs' grant program. The ministry provided $10,912 during the 2025-2026 financial year, enabling the committee to address the extensive damage and implement necessary repairs.

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The project demonstrates the importance of Government and community partnerships.

Temple committee president Rajeshwar Prasad highlighted the importance of this support in safeguarding the temple. "The support was important in addressing the damage and ensuring the temple remained safe and functional," Prasad stated. This sentiment was echoed by Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh, who emphasized the collaborative nature of the project.

Minister Singh noted that the renovation exemplifies the value of partnerships between the government and local communities. He affirmed that the Multi-Ethnic Grant Programme continues to be a vital channel for the government to assist community organizations and enhance grassroots facilities. The restored temple now stands as a symbol of community resilience and successful inter-agency cooperation.

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The Multi-Ethnic Grant Programme remains an important avenue for Government to support community organisations and improve facilities at the grassroots level.