A MAGAZINE ABOUT INDIA AND FIJI LIFESTYLES PUBLISHED IN USA AND READ IN USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, FIJI AND INDIA
APRIL 2015
KAVA BAR KAVA BAR OPENS IN OPENS IN SAN BRUNO SAN BRUNO CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA USA USA
NEW ZEALAND SANATAN NARI SABHA Story Inside
Cover Picture—Gateway of India Mumbai, India Picture Taken by Arun Maharaj
PUBLISHED & EDITED by Arun Maharaj - Hayward, California, USA 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com / Arun Maharaj
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INDIA FIJI TODAY AN ONLINE MAGAZINE— PUBLISHED IN USA Publisher & Editor—Arun Maharaj Hayward, California—USA - 510—875 0568 indiafijitoday@gmail.com—Facebook.com/Arun Maharaj
Arun Maharaj
A Site in Nadi, Fiji
PUBLISHER’S PFOFILE Past Co—Chairman California Business Advisory Council— California Jaycees and Jaycees International Senator— Past National President Fiji Jaycees—Former School Teacher, Fiji
FROM THE PUBLISHER Another issue of India Fiji Today is forwarded to you and I hope you will enjoy reading it.
Arun Maharaj 1
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FIJI Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1869 and remained a member of British Empire till 1970 when it gained independence. After the independence, Fiji became a Dominion having ties with Britain and had the Governor General as the Queen’s representative to the country. The country was ruled by the Alliance Party, with Ratu Sir K. Mara as the first prime minister, for seventeen years. 1987 saw the victory of a coalition government with Timoci Bavadra as the prime minister and then the unbelievable political turn in the country took place which destroyed the democracy that Fiji enjoyed, as the country came under military coup. Soon after, the country was declared a Republic by the Rabuka Government which came in power after the coup, breaking all ties with the British monarch. That government ruled Fiji until 1999 when it lost to the Fiji Labor Party which came into power with Mahendra Chaudhary as the prime minister but had a short period of stay as it was overthrown by a civilian coup in 2000. A caretaker government was appointed with Laisenia Qarase as the prime minister, which later became the democratically elected government which governed Fiji until 2006. The Qarase Government was taken over by another military coup and Fiji was ruled by a caretaker government with Mr. Bianimarama as the prime minister. In 2014 a general election was held after eight years which swept the Bainimarama Government to power with a majority.
PRIME MINISTERS OF FIJI Ratu Sir K. Mara 1970—1987 Timoci Bavadra 1987—1987 Sitiveni Rabuka 1987—1999 Mahendra Chaudhary 1999—2000 Laisenia Qarase 2001—2006 Frank Bianimarama - 2007 PRESIDENT OF FIJI Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
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INDIA
PUNJAB—INDIA A Scene in the Northern State of Punjab
FIJI HIGHLIGHT—
A REVIEW ONLY
STUDENTS’ DEATH—A CONCERN! The death of high school female student in Lautoka is believed to have stirred a great concern. The Ministry of education and the institution that manages the school, where she was a student, also seems to have shown great concern surrounding the incident, that took the life of a child. It is rather unfortunate that the child has taken her life. Whatever may have been the reason for her to take her life but a life is lost. Teachers in schools are taken as gurdians and councellors who should guide the children to better future. Their actions mean a lot to the children as teachers in Fiji are looked upon as, the authority, by the children and any actions of the teachers towards the students are seriously taken by them. The truth of the issue will come after the investigations but a life is lost and a family has come under tremendous grief. 5
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FIJI COMMUNITY IN AMERICA KAVA BAR OPENS IN SAN BRUNO CALIFORNIA - USA In an area heavily populated by Fiji community, San Bruno, in the San Francisco, Bay Area in USA, Rakesh Kumar embarked on a project that caters for the social need of the Fiji and the South Pacific Islands Communities. A unique Kava Bar has brought about the Fiji and Islands atmosphere to USA. People turn in large numbers to enjoy the Fiji and the islands’ favorite drink. As summer approaches, the Bar should see more people.
In the top picture, Rakesh Kumar, originally from Nausori in Fiji, the owner of the Bar, shows the high quality Kava that he directly imports from Fiji. Kava is well drunk, among the Fiji and the South Pacific Islands communities here in USA.
‘Kava drinkers’ enjoying Kava at the Kava Bar on a Friday evening. The Bar is open everyday of the week. 7
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FIJI COMMUNITY IN NEW ZEALAND
‘Mavis Singh—Coordinator of the organization, seen in the front during a Keertan recital recently’
NZ SANATAN NARI SABHA by Mavis Singh NZ Sanatan Nari Sabha was launched by the ex—minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Phill Goff in 2001. The purpose of forming the support group for women was mainly to involve women and children in cultural activities so that they can participate and learn about their culture and heritage. The organization is a non—profit organization basically set up to promote and preserve Indian culture and heritage. It provides a platform for the Indian community to connect, support and network in its functions and religious ceremonies. The group based in Auckland meets every month to teach and learn from each other specially reciting Ramayan and singing keertans and bhajans educating the members of the community on the values of selfless service., encouraging the use of traditional values in everyday living and most importantly to learn how to maintain identity of Indian culture in harmony with other communities.
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KAVA BAR SAN BRUNO Just Opened!!! 630 San Mateo Avenue San Bruno, CA 94066 650—296 7802
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FIJI FEATURE
Some Children of an Orphanage in Nasinu, Fiji, with their Care—Takers
ORPHANAGES AND CARE HOMES PROVIDING ‘SERVICE TO HUMANITY’ Living your life for the happiness and well-being of others can be nothing but a true service to the almighty. We all live for ourselves, even the animals do but is it an achievement in itself or simply survival. Living for others, particularly children is a true and ultimate achievement of our lives. The ‘Care Homes’ have been serving the needy children for decades. The staff and volunteers provide selfless service to cater for the needs of the children who live there as one big family. Little support of any sort can be beneficial to the children of the ‘Care Homes.’ Charity has lots of room only if you get to it, it can be never stooping. There are children and people genuinely in need for assistance. It has been said, ‘Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life’
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INDIA FEATURE ‘LIFE IN A VILLAGE IN NORTH INDIA India has a diverse culture stretching from the Mountainous Himalayas to the coastal South. It is also the land of contrast, having some of the richest people of the world to the poorest. Life A Village Scene in a small village is far from the sophisticated lifestyle of the busy cities like Delhi and Mumbai. There are many thousands of villages in India’s cast land and one of the things common to them is that their lifestyle has not changed much, unlike the large cities. ’During a visit to a Northern village in the state of Uttar Pradesh, some years ago, I was amazed to seen and share a unique lifestyle, totally natural and simple living style. It seemed life had remained the same for the past decades. Change is not something of their choice and moving out of the village and settling in cities is not appreciated by the families and fellow villages. Apart from the social differences to the modern cities, the village has a lot to offer. The village surrounding fill the atmosphere with ‘ peace’ as everything seems so natural as if nature is at its best showering its blessings on the people as they go along with their daily lives. 14
INDIAN FILM WORLD MOVIE STARS MAKE MOVE TO TV INDUSTRY ‘Indian Television Serials’ seem to be watched by the Indians and ‘people of Indian origin’ worldwide on a widely basis. There are numerous serials being telecasted on daily basis on many channels. T.V. Stars have their own identity and community different from the movie stars community and the Indian Film Industry. However, there are some artists who have been equally enagaged in both the industries, the t.v. and the film industry. The trend wihich is being seen now is, the movie stars of the recent past who may not be very actively enagaged in the film industry now, are making their way to the ‘t.v. industry’. There are stars, some of whom have been successful artists of their time and have have very popular during their active ‘film days’ are seen in t.v. serials now. It seems the t.v. industry provides a long term enagagement unlike the film industry which is short term based on film by film basis. The continuing trend may provide the viewers the opportunity of seeing more of the film artists of the recent past on their t.v. screens reminding the viewers of the artists film industry era. - Article composed by Arun Maharaj -
INDIAN SCENES & SITES
India
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FIJI TODAY—
A REVIEW ONLY
FIJI TODAY IS REVIEWS ON SOME OF THE CURRENT HAPPENINGS IN FIJI. THESE ARE THE EDITOR’S OPINION ONLY.
HEAT IN FIJI AND THE VISITORS The hot weather condition in Fiji currently is believed to be a concern to some. The summer period of the year experiences tremendous heat in Fiji and the heat seems to have continued even till late March. Suva weather in the past used to be generally cool throughout the year but in the recent years extreme hot conditions seems to be experienced in Suva. The visitors, the former residents of Fiji living abroad, seem to be greatly affected by the heat. Some visitors had to cut short their trip to Fiji to save from the harsh heat. Even the residents find it difficult to cope. People have to take precaution from becoming sick by drinking a lot of water and staying in shade wherever possible to avoid dehydration. The farmers must be having a hard time coping with the hot weather conditions as they have to stay out on their farms. The much talked about subject, the global warming seems to be in reality now.
INDIA FIJI TODAY FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT THE PUBLISHER—ARUN MAHARAJ 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com/Arun Maharaj 17
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FIJI TODAY—
A REVIEW ONLY
COMPETITION FOR NEW FIJI FLAG A contest for new Fiji Flag design seems to be in place now in Fiji for the people to participate. Fiji flag has been in place since independence, forty— five years ago. Wherever the flag is seen or raised the Fiji citizens around the globe give it respect. There seems to a plan by the government to replace the flag. The thoughts of the government is related to the present time in Fiji and the relevance of the flag to today’s Fiji. There seems to be both sides of thoughts presented by the people of Fiji, some in support and some not in favor. It is a sensitive issue as people have lived with the current flag for forty—five years but change for the good is normally a positive step for future. With so much change brought about by the interim and current government, the flag change could be a part of the changing Fiji which lot of people may like to see. The flag reminds Fiji of the independence era, with ties to Britain, which no longer exists today, as Fiji is a republic, a truly Fijian. A contest for new Fiji Flag design seems to be in place now in Fiji for the people to participate.
CHALLENGE FOR EDUCATORS Education system in Fiji seems to be going under some change. Heads of schools play the key role in a school’s performance. The ability to lead their teachers with effective approaches, which deliver good results and students attain their required goals and standards should be the function of effective heads. It seems there are schools which still under perform. In a seminar in Ba recently, it is believed the Education Ministry urged the school heads to ensure that their students perform at the required level. Under the new standard set for the heads, it is believed the low performing schools will be given certain time frame to improve their school’s standard and upon the expiry of the period if the performance does not improve than the school head will be given a teaching position while someone else will take up the school head’s position. This new standard must have sent serious thought signals to some school heads. It is probably the first time such a serious challenge has been put to school heads 19
FIJI TODAY—
A REVIEW ONLY
NAUSORI MARKET RELOCATION The relocation of Nausori market will be a major change for Nausori town.One of the major centers of Nausori, the market seems to be relocating. The market has been at the current location for the last many decades providing service to the people of Nausori and greater Nausori. The market has been a business place for many over the decades. Some vendors have spent their entire life selling products at the market. It also acted as a venue for social meets apart from being a business center. The huge population of the Rewa area depended on the market for buying and selling vegetable, fruits and other food products. The relocation of the market will mean a great change for the current market venders and the regular customers. People exactly knew which stall to go to for various food products and even I remember where some of products were sold many years ago. The current market venue will remain in the thoughts of people even after the market’s relocation.
MARRYING AT YOUNG AGE Marriage of girls has been a sensitive issue in some communities in Fiji. There was a practice in Fiji among some communities to marry the girls at a young age but today but today the system is no longer in practice. It seems history is repeating itself as a case of young girls being compelled to marry, is believed to have surfaced in a settlement in Lautoka. It is believed the girls are being married at a very young age because their families live in a condition where there is lack of education and poverty has made way because of lack of income of the families and marrying the young girls was one way of reducing expenses. A sad state of affairs as the poor girls are asked to marry against their will. Situation of nature is regretful and proper counseling and guidance to the parents could rescue the girls’ so they can a future of their choice. 20
FIJI TODAY—
A REVIEW ONLY
HIBISCUS FESTIVAL—NEW VENUE The most popular beauty pageant in Fiji, the Fiji Hibiscus Festival is believed have found a new venue. The festival has been held at the prestigious Albert Park for the last many years. The festival started in 1957 by the then Suva Jaycees has entered in its 59th year. It has come a long way entertaining the people of Suva and the people of Fiji in general. Being the leading festival in Fiji, people from around the country look forward to attend the festival. Albert Park and Hibiscus Festival are synonymous as one will think of Albert P ark when it comes to Hibiscus Festival. Many contestants and winners have come and gone year by year and this year many more are to join the group. Apart from the entertainment the festival provides, it generates income for many stall keepers on yearly basis. It also provides revenue to the city as people turn out to the capital in large numbers during the festival week.
HOSTEL FOR NORTH STUDENTS The Fiji National University, formed not too long ago, controlled by the Fiji Government is a combination of the government tertiary organizations which used to function separately. The Fiji School of Medicine, The Fiji Nurses School, The Lautoka Teachers’ College, The Fiji College of Medicine, The Fiji National Training Council, Fiji Institute of Technology have all been combined to form the Fiji National University. The Northern campus caters for students living in the North and they travel long distances to attend to their classes. It is believed the FNU’s plan to build hostel in the North will eliminate the difficulty of traveling long distances or having accommodation problems. A lot of students from the North used to study in Suva and the FNU Northern campus must be very helpful to them.
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VISITING FIJI
A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NASINU Children in a calssroom in a School in Nasinu
A FARM IN NADI A Farmer Busy in his Farm, Nadi
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INDIA TRAVEL
PUNJAB, INDIA Social Gathering Along Road—Side Dhaba
SHIMLA, INDIA The central area in Shimla
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INDIA TRAVEL
SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH COLLEGE CHANDIGARH, INDIA This is the college where many Fiji students studied during the 1960’s and 1970’s
BAREILLY, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA A Scene at a Railway Station– Bareilly
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VISITING FIJI
NADI, FIJI A Road—side scene, Nadi, Fiji
NADI, FIJI A Farm scene in Nadi, Fiji
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OBJECTIVES OF ‘INDIA FIJI TODAY’ ‘To highlight the activities within the Fiji Community in America and abroad’ ‘To give review on major happenings in Fiji—An opinion only’‘ - FIJI TODAY/FIJI HIGHLIGHT—To enlighten issues on Fiji—past & present’ ‘To entertain people by picture of Fiji’ ‘Inform and entertain Fiji Community about India through articles and pictures’
Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature FIJI TODAY/Fiji Feature is the editor’s view on the major happenings back in Fiji based on the information from - Online Fiji Times; Fiji Live, Fiji Village, Fiji Sun; visitors to and from Fiji and other Fiji publications. These are editor’s own views based on the information from those sources. FIJI COMMUNITY articles are news items created and compiled by the editor. Any error/s and or misinterpretation are regretted and the editor / publisher is not responsible for any such error/s and or further discussions and or any liability. India Feature is the sharing of the editor’s own experience on visits to India. INDIAN FILM WORLD is a researched article .The Publisher/Editor of India Fiji Today will not accept any LIABILITY, CRITICISM, ANNOYANCE or ADVERSE REACTION what so ever, to the contrary of its intention caused by any misinterpretation, miss-understanding or non-acceptance of the same.— Advertisements The claims made by the advertisers are entirely their own and the editor / publisher does not necessarily support or endorse these claims. 28
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