December 2014 india fiji today

A Magazine About Fiji and India Lifestyles Published in USA

December—2014

Story Inside

GURJIT SINGH ONCE AGAIN LEADS SUVA TO IDC VICTORY...

Gurjit Singh with the new 30 kg IDC Trophy

Gurjit Singh –(left) with Arun Maharaj Publisher—India Fiji Today in Hayward, California—USA recently

Published & Edited by Arun Maharaj—Hayward, California—USA 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com

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India Fiji Today Publisher & Editor-ARUN MAHARAJ-Hayward, California-USA 510 : 875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com—Facebook/Arun Maharaj

From the Publisher Another issue of India Fiji Today is forwarded to you and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Arun Maharaj

Objectives

Past Co-Chairman-California Business Advisory Council

To Create an awareness about specific happenings in Fiji Community in America and abroad— To inform about the current happenings in Fiji in review form – ‘Fiji Review’— To enlighten issues on Fiji by ‘Fiji Feature’ — To provide pictures of Fiji for people’s Interest- ‘Fiji Sites & Scenes To recognize people in Fiji Community in Fiji, USA and abroad— Inform and entertain Fiji Community about India through articles and pictures— To share perspectives on philosophical aspects

California Jaycees and Jaycees International Senator Past National President Fiji Jaycees Former School Teacher in Fiji

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Cover Story -

Gurjit Singh—Once Again Leads Suva to IDC Victory Suva’s IDC victory at home ground this year breaks the thirty— one year deadlock as Suva last won the IDC Tournament at the home ground in 1983. Under Gurjit’s coaching Suva won the IDC in 2012 breaking a record of a long lapse since 1983. He again broke another record this year by making Suva win at its home ground after the thirty— one year lapse since 1983 victory.

Under Gurjit’s coaching Suva won four major soccer titles in three years, including the national league championship for this year. Suva first won the IDC TourGurjit Singh with the nament in 1940 defeating Rewa at new 30 kg IDC Trophy its home ground by two goals to one. So far Suva won the tournament thirteen times. The IDC Tournament started in 1938, was hosted by Suva and won by Rewa. The tournament is the most prestigious soccer tournament in Fiji. Suva was awarded the new elegant trophy which is believed to weigh 30 Kg. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-District_Championship_(Fiji)

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People Remembering Jagdish Singh—Left Too Soon!

A Tribute to Jagdish Singh A Former Teacher — Sydney Australia (1952 – 2014) - A gem of a person BY—DHANI LAL—FORMER PRINCIPAL RISHIKUL COLLEGE—NASINU—FIJI A Close Friend of Late Jagdish Singh

He was a great friend to many hundreds, husband to the late Shyam Lila and upon her death to Sangeet Mala, father to daughter Anjana and sons Asvir and Ashneil, father-in- law to Rohit and Melissa, grandfather to Rohan, Aryan, Arisha and Maya. Rohit and Anjana are both university- qualified teachers in Sydney, Asvir and Melisa are successful business people based in Wollongong and Ashneil has completed a Diploma and is graduating with a degree soon. Let us pay our tribute to a wonderful soul mate and charismatic Jagdish Singh, who spent his entire working life in academia. A few hundred people from all walks of life came to Liverpool Leppington cemetery in Sydney on 21 May 2014 to pay their last respects and homage to Jack, as he was fondly known to many. His death shocked his family and friends in Sydney as it did in Fiji, New Zealand ,USA and around Australia .To most mourners gathered at the cemetery , it was hard to believe that Jack was not in their midst and in fact no more on this mortal planet. He left so suddenly that a good bye was not possible, as was expressed by the out-pouring of love and affection for him.

The funeral was held in autumn but there was a perfect summer lining of a clear blue sky and fresh Suva-like coastal breeze, as if the nature had brought Fiji’s all-time lovely weather to be a part of the cremation proceedings. People were quick to comment that the good weather, unusual in autumn in Sydney, was perhaps the Almighty’s last heavenly blessing on a person of a good karmic standing. The ni sa moce to Jack was said in a picture perfect weather and mourning. The funeral was religiously officiated by Pundit Lokendra Nath Sharma.

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Tribute to Jagdish Singh Cont...

As I stood at the podium trying co-ordinate the proceedings and moving the only eulogy on behalf of the Singh family, as per the wish of the family and friends, I could not RISHIKUL COLLEGE believe Jagdish Singh—Assistant Principal (right) with my eyes that Jack Dhani Lal—Principal—Rishikul College and Indar was not Nair—Vice Principal—at the school frontage in the during the late 1980’s crowd as he was such a person who would never miss a funeral if death news reached him. Even my eldest daughter Vinita, who attended the funeral with my wife Pushpa and me, remarked afterwards that it was hard to believe that one of her few favourite and father-figure like uncles was ‘not’ there. This view was echoed in silence by many mourners who knew him well and knew his personality trait of being kind and caring with the view to sharing the sadness of others. The principal of Chifley College Dunheved Campus Cathy Anderson led a big delegation of staff and students, and eulogised Jack as a very competent teacher and team player.

Some close friends, mainly teachers with whom Jack worked in Fiji and Sydney, who attended the funeral included: Dhirendra Prasad and wife Satya. Indar Nair and wife Damayanti. Kamal Deo and wife Roshni. Sagar Maharaj and wife Nirmala. Arvind Maharaj and wife Rohini. Rajesh Chandra and wife Kiran.

PSVishwain and wife Renu. Krishna Naidu and wife Rukhmani. Rishi Nand, San Mogam, Chandrika Prasad, Angel Narayan and her two sisters Pauline and Dimple and Shabreen Shah. Family members who attended the funeral included brother Ranjit and wife Savita, sister Babel, mausis Padma and Satya, Mr and Mrs Ram Dhir and sister Sarna Wati (representing the Chauhan family of Lami where Jack spent his childhood), Krishna Mala, Anish and Rakshu.

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Tribute to Jagdish Singh Cont...

Condolence messages were received from: USA - Arun Maharaj and wife Aruna, Rajendra Nair and wife Gaytri, and Chet C Uma - NZ- Azim Shah and wife Sherun ,Deo Raj Reddy, Shiu Charan .Pundit Pramod Shukla , Haris Chandra ,Chandra Narayan JP and Ram Pratap—Melbourne-Muni Deo JP, Susheel Chand, Prakash Chandra - .Brisbane-Anukar Mishra, Vasu Maharaj, Prem Chand, Ambika Nand - Canada-Samar Jeet and wife Margaret, Venus and Andrew Chand - .Fiji- from Rishikul College: The Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr Vijay Nair JP,OF and wife Grace, and office staff Kushma Mishra, Urmila Singh and Rumla Kumar, Balram Kamoda, Ravindra Lal, Hari Ram Kamoda and Jowahir Lal—Sydney- Pratap Chand, Tabsu Goundar, Uday Narayan and Shiv Sahay, Rajesh Chand When a close one passes away, we are so saddened that we go into mourning.

One important phenomenon we often forget is the fact that the passing away is the completion of a human journey – short or long as it may be –and we should stop and thank the Almighty for allowing the completion of the journey .The journey, therefore, calls for a celebration of the life. In short Jack’s resume will read: His student life: Ex-student of Suva Methodist Primary School and Indian College (Suva) - Jabalpur University, India: completed Bachelor of Science with a distinction- USP, Suva: completed Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Diploma in Education. As a teacher for about 40 years served at: Niusawa High School, Taveuni (HOD Science): AG High School, Suva (HOD Science), and Rishikul College, Nasinu: Assistant Principal, Vice Principal and Principal for a year in 1996 – Chifley College, Mt Druitt Campus, Sydney (1999 -2014: till death). His Leadership and Community participation included: 1987 –President of Nasinu Soccer Association - 1989 – President of Nasinu Jaycees -1991 – National President of Fiji Jaycees - 1997National President of Fiji Teachers Union - For several years served on Rishikul Management Board of Governors and many other voluntary, religious and social clubs and organizations- Singh had a rich personality and was able to make friends very easily. He was an extraordinarily friendly fellow with a deep regard and respect for others with a very simple but colourful social life. He displayed a nice element of humanity worthy of emulation. He had a flair of remembering names of people and places. When he had a mike in his hand, which often was the case in his various leadership and community roles, he mesmerised the audience and clearly edged as a pillar of strength and source of inspiration. People I meet here and talk to locally and overseas agree with me that it was not his “turn” to bid us good bye this early.

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Tribute to Jagdish Singh Cont...

Master Azim Shah reminded me while sending his sympathies from New Zealand: Parbhu kee ichchha koi nahee taal saka and Master Ravindra Lal quoted :Eh sansaar sada na raha hai,sada na rehega kisi ka. These sayings are immortal in them and are so true in the equation of life and death. How true in case of Jagdish Singh! Singh, while being missed, will continue to live in the hearts, minds and thoughts of his family, friends and colleagues. In particular, his children and grandchildren will experience a vacuum in their life but would be able to console themselves with the fact that he has left behind for them a rich and ever-lasting love, affection, care and legacy. On the personal front, the untimely death has cheated on our family and robbed us of a true friend, soul brother and uncle. Miss you Jack! May Pramaatma shower His choicest blessings and grant the atma a heavenly abode in His kingdom of nirvana – he surely deserves it. Dhani Lal (& Pushpa Lal) Editor’s footnote: - This article was written at a request as a follow -up to my earlier obituary and to symbolize the great brotherhood and camaraderie the families of: Dhani Lal, Arun Maharaj, Azim Shah, Dhirendra Prasad ,Indar Nair, Shiv Sahay, Rajendra Nair, Dr Vijay Nair, Susheel Chand, Uday Narayan, Rajesh Chandra, Ravindra Lal, Tabsu Goundar, Kamal Deo, Jowahir Lal and a few others enjoyed.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN COMPILED BY MR. DHANI LAL SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Dhani Lal was the principal of Rishikul College where Jagdish Singh spent most of his teaching, Jaycees and union life spanning over 25 years.

Mr. Lal is former Principal of Rishikul College and a former teacher in Sydney, Australia. He has been a senior officer of the Fiji Teachers’ Union and a Past National President of Fiji Jaycees, a Jaycees International Vice President—assigned to India and Asian region and a Jaycees International Senator. His wide leadership experience and a humble personality has earned him a large number of true and trusted friends who look upon him as their mentor. As a long—time close and a brother—like friend, I am proud to be associated with him, during my teaching career in Fiji, ‘Jaycees life’ and a family friend, for about 40 Mr. Dhani Lal years. Arun Maharaj—Publisher/Editor INDIA FIJI TODAY

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OBITUARY It has been learnt with great sadness the passing away of Pundit

Rajendra Maharaj of Seaside California—USA on Friday 28, November, 2014.

Late Pundit Ji Late Pt. Rajendra Maharaj was formerly from Nasinu 8 Miles, Fiji . He migrated to Seaside, California in 1997 and has been the main practicing Hindu priest there since then. He a former employee of Grace Brothers Removals and Burns Philip Removals in Fiji. He later operated his own household and office removals business in Fiji just before his migration to USA. Pundit Ji hailed from a prominent family of Nasinu 8 Miles, Fiji.

He leaves behind his wife, son, daughter, daughter—in—law, son— in—law and grandchildren and a large family comprising of a brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins and in—laws and a also he leaves behind a large number of friends and followers, particularly in the Seaside and Monterrey area where he spent the last years of his life.

MAY YOU GET SUPREME HAPPINESS IN THE HEAVEN! On behalf of all the cousins in the USA and abroad, I wish you a blissful journey to eternity. As a childhood friend, playmate, and a close cousin, I will miss you greatly! - Arun Maharaj Compiled by Arun Maharaj and inserted by the courtesy of INDIA FIJI TODAY

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Vunimono High School— Nausori—Fiji—36 Years Ago… This picture was taken in 1978 at Vunimono High School in Nausori after a successful fundraising—Walk— a thon, a popular fundraising project of that time.

Seen in the picture (second from left) Late Mr. Ram Sumeshwar Yadav— Principal— Vunimono High School and Late Mr. Chattar Pal (centre)—Head Teacher—Vunimono Primary School ( MR. PAL JUST PASSED AWAY IN SYDNEY, JUST OVER A WEEK AGO)— INDIA FIJI TODAY Pays Tribute to Him — May HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE !

Also seen in the picture are some teachers of Vunimono High School. The school was the largest secondary school in Nausori at that time with about 1,200 students. The school enjoyed good leadership under Mr. Yadav, the principal of the school and Mr. K. N. Chaudhary, the manager of the school and the then Mayor of Nausori.

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CHANDIGARH THE MODERN CITY

Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Hariyana is a highly modern city.

It seems like you are visiting a Western city. Punjab being one of the most prosperous states of India shows its rich lifestyle in Chandigarh.

The picture shows the modern lifestyle of the people.

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A Settlement Along the Highway in Sigatoka Sigatoka Town in the Western Division 16

Popular Site Along Queen’s Highway— Former Residence of Singh Family Galoa - Navua

A Temple at Nasinu Eight Miles Narere Nasinu 17

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A Unique Temple on the Hill -Side in Raralevu-Nausori A Unique temple founded not too long ago is a fascinating site to visit. It is believed to be the site of an old and abandoned temple which existed there decades ago during the ‘indenture system.’ Newly set—up, the temple has many small statues and small temples scattered in a wide area going down and upwards many steps. It is a full pilgrimage type set—up which is extremely unique in its structure. The only temple of the nature in Fiji, is worth visiting. Tremendous satisfaction and peace is felt as it provides you an atmosphere of undisturbed nature.

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Traveling Across Bihar in the East

The Eastern State of Bihar is far from the capital Delhi.

While traveling in the interior by car you will come across difficult road conditions. The houses on the road side can be seen in the picture as village type.

The state is on the far East of India with a population of 103 million and third largest in terms of population and Patna being the capital.

Visiting ‘Ayodhya’ -The Holy Town The holy city of ‘Ayodhya’ in the Uttar Pradesh is the site of worship and pilgrimage for the Hindus in India and worldwide.

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The Juhu Beach—Mumbai Juhu Beach is a highly popular spot for the people of Mumbai and the visitors alike.

The beach is used for film shootings for beach sites. The site is always busy as the stall keepers based there sell their food stuffs and other materials for the visitors to tone of the most popular beaches of India. The beach provides comfort during summer’s heat.

Road—Side Stall—Luckhnow-UP The stalls along the highways and major roads in India are highly popular for the travelers.

This stall is situated along the Delhi—Luckhnow highway. People prefer to buy things from these stalls while traveling along the highway as it saves time from shopping in the towns and cities. In the comfort of loneliness sits the vendor waiting for vehicles to come along.

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N AV UA C L U B A POPULAR SITE A landmark of Navua Town, the club has been there for decades.

Not much activity during the day but the afternoon lights up the club with its regular clients and visitors. The club has had some prominent Navua residents among its members in the past. It had an honor attached to the membership. The club stands there serving the members of today, some of whom may be new residents to the lone town.

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For Business Advertising Contact the Publisher Arun Maharaj 510—875 0568 indiafijitoday@gmail.com Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature Fiji Today/Fiji Feature/Fiji Highlight 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. Contributing articles are the writers’ views and opinion only and 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. 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, missunderstanding 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.

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