December 2016 india fiji today

AN ONLINE MAGAZINE ABOUT FIJI AND INDIA LIFESTYLES V o l um e 1 , I s s ue 1 N e w s l e tte r D a te

F I J I T O D AY GURJIT SINGH

DECEMBER 2016

FORMER SUVA SOCCER COACH ENDS HIS COACHING CAREER IN FIJI

COVER PICTURE A SCENE ALONG QUEEN’S HIGHWAY—FIJI

READ INSIDE IN USA

PUBLISHED & EDITED BY ARUN MAHARAJ HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA—USA 510—875 0568— indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com/Arun Maharaj

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FIJI COMMUNITY IN AMERICA COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD...

GURJIT SINGH - FORMER SUVA SOCCER COACH ENDS HIS COACHING CAREER IN FIJI...

Popular Soccer coach in Fiji and in Fiji community in America, Gurjit Singh retires from coaching in Fiji. He has been the coach for Suva Soccer national team for the last five years. According to him, during his coaching career with Suva, Suva was first southern team to qualify for OFC champions league. Suva qualified back to back 2015 n 2016. Also Suva played 4 champion vs champion under my 5 years as Suva coach. Won 2 IDC 2012 in Ba beating Ba after 28 years and then again 2014 in Suva won after 31 years in Suva National Stadium. Won national league after 17 years in 2014.

Won coach of the year award for the 3rd time in 2012. Had been in coaching for 30 years at various schools, clubs, district and national level. He further said, “In 5 years I did my best for Suva, won titles which Suva needed for years. Since joined Suva played 5 finals and won 3. The best memory will GURJIT SINGH be winning 2 titles in Govind Park Ba within a year which by beating Ba. No team ever won 2 titles in Ba in the same year, brought back that IDC trophy to Suva after 28 years was the greatest achievement. My best wishes will remain with Suva team.” In an interview with India Fiji Today in USA recently, he said, “ He had a good experience with a team which needed a major win for years. I took the challenge to win a title and within a short time we did it. Hard dedicated work paid off. These memories will remain in my heart for years to come..”

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PUBLISHER’S PROFILE Arun Maharaj, the publisher and editor of INDIA FIJI TODAY, is a Past Co-Chairman of California Business Advisory Council and in that capacity he was invited to the United States President’s Dinner in Washington D.C. in 2003, during President George W. Bush’s Presidency. Being actively involved in community and leadership work, he is a California Jaycees SenaARUN MAHARAJ ARUN MAHARAJ tor and Jaycees International Senator, the highest honor in Jaycees organization worldwide. He served as an Advisor of ‘Fiji Festival USA’ in Hayward, California. While in Fiji he served as a President of Nasinu Jaycees and later after serving on various positions at the national level he became a National President of Fiji Jaycees. Among other community development work, he served as the Director of Nasinu Festival and an Advisor of ‘Valelevu Hospital’ Carnival, in Nasinu. As a teacher, by profession he taught at Vunimono High School in Nausori, D. A. V. College in Suva, Yat Sen School in Suva and Rishikul Sanatan College in Nasinu. His leadership activities in schools included—Patron of D.A.V. College ‘Interact Club’ and Advisor of Rishikul Sanatan College, ‘Students Council.’ He also served as the Secretary of ‘Rewa Secondary Schools’ Soccer Association’ and Secretary of the ‘Fiji Teachers’ Union’ Credit Union.

He worked at Tennyson High School in Hayward, California - USA.

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‘PEOPLE IN FIJI COMMUNITY’ IN FIJI AND ABROAD… AN INTERVIEW WITH...

RAJ KUMAR KRISHNAN VANCOUVER, CANADA...

It is with pleasure and pride, I write about a renowned public figure among Fiji Community residing in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Originally from Nasinu, Fiji Mr. Raj Kumar Krishnan was a community worker in Fiji and worked with religious organizations in Nasinu. He was also an active committee member of Rishkul Schools. By profession he was a Police Officer in the Fiji Police Force and served the profession with pride and honor. Mr. Krishnan migrated to Vancouver, Canada in May 1969 when very few people were migrating from Fiji. In Vancouver, he worked for a Post Office and later at Western Bay Shore for 26 years and took retirement.

Being a community worker and having a religious background he opened Prem Ramayan, Chautal and Bhajan Mandali in 1970. Mr. Krishnan took a bold step and opened his own temple, the first Maha RAJ KUMAR KRISNHAN Kali Temple in Vancouver in 1978 and the temple continues to provide service to the Fiji Community there. He was the first person in Fiji Community in Vancouver, to become a Licensed Minister for Marriage in 1987. He has been continuously serving the Fiji community there in Vancouver for the last many years. To many, he is a mentor and earns great respect from the community. He occasionally travels to neighboring America and is well known to many people among Fiji Community here. May he continue his service to the people for many more years to come. India Fiji Today wishes him good health and further success in his religious and community work. “Well earned respect from the Fiji Community in Fiji, Canada, America and abroad for your hard work, dedication to the community and religious work and may I get an opportunity to write more about you later in my future issues.”

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A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY LOOKING BACK AT SOME HAPPENINGS OF 2016...

RELIEF WORK AFTER TROPICAL ‘CYCLONE WINSTON’ HITS FIJI...

Local people particularly from the Central Division, seem to be involved in relief work in the cyclone stricken areas in Fiji. Food, clothing and necessary household basic items are being distributed in parts of Fiji, particularly in the Western Division which is believed to be the most affected. According to Krish Prasad of Nasinu, a truck load of items collected and donated by his family, relatives and friends had been distributed in an affected area in Ba. Such assistance is being providing by many other people and organizations in parts of Fiji. Similar assistance has been A SITE IN NASINU—FIJI provided to the needy in times of flooding and cyclone that hit Fiji in the past years.

CALL FOR RIGHTS OF DISABLED IN FIJI– SERVICE TO HUMANITY..

People with disabilities should have the same rights and privileges as normal people. The call from a ministry to recognize the rights of the disabled will mean a lot to the people with limitations. Many countries provide additional privilege and protection to people with disabilities beginning from schools. There are Special Education sections in schools here in the United States, that provide accommodations to the children with disabilities. The introduction of the rights will mean a lot of further assistance to the people with disabilities in Fiji as they will be A SITE THE WEST—FIJI able to enjoy life better. This is definitely an issue of providing service to humanity which is a great cause and should attract attention from all involved. Source—Fiji Times - June 21 –2016 5

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A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY LOOKING SOME BACK HAPPENINGS AT SOME HAPPENINGS OF 2016... OF 2016...

OPENING OF JETTY IN AN OUTER ISOLATED ISLAND OF FIJI… Fiji’s many remote islands have lots of natural resources which can put to good use.

The opening of a jetty in an outer Island should provide good access to the ships and ferries to load and unload goods and materials. Transportation is a major problem for the remote islands as it is difficult to bring goods and farm materials to the coast from where they can be transported. Development in rural areas greatly facilitate the islands in linking to the major islands and centers where profitable business can be conducted. Fiji has a long way to go towards development in its many remote areas in many of its DENARAU ISLAND—FIJI resourceful islands. Source—Fiji Sun July 1- 2016

YOGA IN SCHOOLS COULD BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL PROGRAM...

PICTURE TAKEN BY SANJAY SINGH’S CAMERA

Yoga awareness is international and many people are taking yoga seriously these days worldwide. The comments of the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, during a celebration of the International Day of Yoga in the North, could be greatly beneficial for students of Fiji. Yoga’s benefits is widely known world wide and if the program gets introduced in schools in Fiji it could have tremendous effect on the youth of today who will be future adults of the country. Any program introduced in schools have a far reaching effect on the children and the country at large. Yoga is a A CANE FARM IN BA—FIJI very old practice which started in India in the ancient times and is benefiting the people globally today. Source June 27—2016 7

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FIJI FEATURE

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NAVUA COMMUNITY IN USA—2016 REUNION HELD IN SACRAMENTO SEEN IN THE PICTURE ARE—SINGH FAMILY OF SACRAMENTO WITH FAMILY AND RELATIVES OF SACRAMENTO AND SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AT THE REUNION.THE FAMILY IS FORMERLY OF GALOA AND TAUNOVO—NAVUA.

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INDIAN CINEMA ‘FILMFARE AWARDS’ FLASHBACK TRIBUTE TO THE ARTISTS OF THE PAST... ‘ THE ARTICLE IS A WRITER’S PERSPECTIVE ONLY, REFLECTING HIS VIEWS’

TAKING A JOURNEY BACK TO THE DAYS OF FILMFARE AWARD OF 1954….

Frst Filmfare Award Held in 1954 The first Filmfare Award held in 1954, for the films released in 1953 had laid down a strong foundation for the prestigious award. The award has come a long way for the past over sixty—years. The award saw Dilip Kumar winning the Best Actor Award in Daag. A renowned actor of all time, was in his early years of acting at that time . He went along to act in numerous hit films over many decades, claiming a legendary title in the Indian Film Industry. He is regarded as one of the most outstanding actors of all time in Indian Cinema. Meena Kumari walked away with the Best Actress Award for Baiju Bawra. The film was a hit and is still well remembered today.

Meena Kumari was a versatile actress, who went along and gave numerous hits in her film career. She is still remembered today for her acting capacity and her notable films including, the popular Paakiza, probably one of her last movies. She passed away in her early life. Do Bigha Zamin was the Best Film for the year.

The film was directed by notable director, Bimal KAMAAL AMROHI FILM Roy with lead artists, STUDIO—MUMBAI Balraj Shani, Nirupa Roy. source—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Filmfare_Awards 13

INDIA TRAVEL Sugar Cane Farming in Uttar Pradesh Being basically an agricultural country farms are seen in most parts of India.

This is a flourishing cane farm along roadside in remote Uttar Pradesh—largest Indian state.

Chandgarh Punjab and Hariyana Capital The city of Chandigarh houses the capital of Punjab and Hariyana states.

The city with modern structure portrays a modern lifestyle. The picture below speaks about the lifestyle there.

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INDIA FEATURE

INDIA 15

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INDIA TRAVEL Downtown Mumbai The Film City The most populous city of India with a population of around twenty million it is one of the most populous cities of the world. The Film industry there makes it most popular city in India.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh College The college in Chandigarh was a popular choice of Fiji students studying abroad during the seventies. A lot of students graduated from this institute during that period.

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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—To enlighten issues on Fiji—past & present’ ‘To entertain people by pictures of Fiji’ ‘Inform and entertain Fiji Community about India through articles and pictures’ ‘To recognize people in Fiji Community’

Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature FIJI TODAYis the editor’s REVIEW 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.

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