February 2015 india fiji today

A Magazine About Fiji and India Lifestyles Published in USA

ANSHU SINGH CLAIMS 2014 FIJI IDOL TITLE IN AMERICA Story Inside

Story Inside

PUBLISHED & EDITED by Arun Maharaj - Hayward, California, USA 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com / Arun Maharaj

FEBRUARY 2015

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From the Publisher FEBRUARY— 2015 issue of India Fiji Today is forwarded to you and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Publisher’s Profile Past Co—Chairman California Business Advisory Council— California Jaycees and Jaycees International senator— Past National President Fiji Jaycees— Former School Teacher, Fiji—

Arun Maharaj—Publisher

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SCHOOLS REOPEN FOR 2015 SCHOOL YEAR— The first day of school after the major annual break in December and January can be a highly traumatizing experience for many. Particularly Children on Their Way to School, in Nausori in January— First Day in 2015 those going to school for the first time it can be hard experience. Seen in the picture are Keisha, Isha and Kunal of Nausori ready to go to school for the first day in late January, this year. Children go to various levels of education in primary and secondary schools. It is also a time when parents have to prepare their children, with uniform, books and stationery and backpack. It becomes a different routine for parents during the period when schools are in session.

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Cover Story

ANSHU SINGH CLAIMS 2014 FIJI IDOL TITLE IN AMERICA Anshu Singh, is the new Fiji American Idol winner and champion of 2014. The Fiji Idol night was hosted by Fiji American National Association (FANA) on 15th November 2014 at the Golden Peacock in Hayward, California, USA. As a winner, Anshu won a Champion trophy, a winner trophy and a participation trophy along with first cash prize money. There were nine participants in this singing competition from California and Seattle, USA. This is the first time Anshu took part in Fiji Idol singing competition, since she migrated to USA in 2009. Anshu is born and grew up in Nabaka, Valley Road in Sigatoka. She was an ex-student of Dudley High and Cuvu College. She was also an ex- employee of Tappoo Group and a teacher at Nadovi Indian School. Anshu is coming from a farming background.

Her father Bijay Chand is a farmer and a good singer (sings Bhajan & Kirtan) in Fiji. He did a couple of his own audio recordings.

Anshu Singh after her victory in Fiji Idol

IN AN INTERVIEW, recently in Hayward, California, I met Anshu in person and she shared some of her past singing experiences in Fiji. “I love singing (Bollywood songs). This is the natural talent that god gifted me. Singing gives me inspiration, relaxation and happiness. I started singing, when I was in high school. In 1997, I joined a Karaoke band “Bollywood Orchestra” in Sigatoka, as the main vocalist. We did a couple of stage shows in Sigatoka. I left Bollywood Orchestra and joined Cuvu Musical Club. I was the first female singer for the club at that time and gained a lot of fame and popularity. We later formed Cuvu Musical Club into a live band known as “Aashiqanas”. I was a live band singer for Aashiqanas over 5 years and performed a lot of shows around Fiji. Later, I quit the band and introduced a new Karaoke band “Taranas” and we did very well. I wanted to take part in Fiji Idol for a longtime. Last year, I was determined and worked hard to get best Karaoke songs from India. I sang in USA, after a lapse of over 5 years. When my name was announced as the winner, I was so happy and proud. It was like a dream that came true. The competition was a tough” She says. Anshu lives in Hayward with her husband Kush and daughter Taash.

INDIA FIJI TODAY wishes her further success in her singing career.

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C RY ING OF H E ARTS AT A FALLEN SOLDIER’S LAST RITES A commanding officer, serving in Jammu and Kashmir who died fighting militants while doing his duty, has left a lot to wonder about life. It is believed he was honored by the Indian Government on the 26th January, the Republican Day and was killed a few days later in a terrorist attack. There are human beings who sacrifice their lives while saving their country and fellow citizens. It is probably beyond normal human comprehension, the level of patriotism and courage the soldiers have who sacrifice their lives while serving their motherland. It is bitterly heartbreaking to see the family members, relatives and friends agonizing at the fu‘People Relaxing on a Sunday in Punjab, at a Dhaba, neral service.

Sitting Under Shade on a Hot Summer Day’ The lives of those family members, left behind, by the deceased soldier, would be far different now without the brave soldier they had in their life as a family member. The killing along the border has taken so many lives and the killing continues.

INDIA TODAY

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Students of Vunimono High School in Nausori in 2013

Arun Maharaj—Publisher INDIA FIJI TODAY with D.A.V. College—Suva— Principal - Prashila Chandra at the School’s Principal’s Office, in Suva in 2013

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MARRIAGE AGAINST THEIR WILL 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 A Scene at a Shopping Center at Nasinu 8 Miles 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. Information Source—Online Fiji Times

FIJI SITES & SCENES

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CHANGING

OF

FIJI FLAG

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 posiA Cane Farm in the Interior of Nadi– Fiji tive step for future. With so much change brought about by the interim and current government, the flag change could be a part be a part of the changing Fiji which lot of people may like to see. The flag reminds Fiji of the independence era, which no longer exists today, as I t is a republic, a truly Fijian. -Information Source—Online Fiji Times

FIJI SITES & SCENES

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VISITING SHIMLA—AN E XPERIENCE TO R EMEMBER Shimla is a hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

It is close to the state capital of Dehradun in Northern India. Situated at the foot of Himalyas the Hill Station city is highly magnificent at a height of around 7,000 feet. Snow fall makes it a site to witness. During summer people make a trip to the hill—station to cool off and get away from the harsh summer of India. Tourists and locals visit the site on regular basis.

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‘A AO W ISH K AREIN’ R E L A E S E D I N 2 0 0 9 — A R E V I E W O N LY Not only films with prominent stars make up good entertainment. There are films with lesser known and not so prominent stars that provide great entertainment. It is the performance of the artists and the quality of the story that matters. ‘ Aao Wish Karein’ has Aamna Sharif and Aftab Shivdasani in the lead roles. Aftab Shivdasani has appeared in some films and has provided good entertainment. The film takes you to a journey of fantasy world, where Aftab Shivdasani, a child gets obsessed with a beautiful grown up girl, Aamna Shariff . He leaves his home and makes a wish to win the girl. He meets a man, Johnny Lever, who has the power to make people’s wish come true and Aftab Shivdasani becomes a handsome young man when he wakes up one day. He meets the girl, Aamna Sharif and they fall in love.

It is on the night of their wedding that the boy loses his power of being an adult and turns into a child again. The girl is distressed with the boy’s, not turning up for the marriage. She later finds about the truth about her lover and makes a wish to become a child so she can be equal match to her lover and Johnny Lever once again appears and her wish comes true too and she becomes a child. They both grow up together and finally get married. A perfect fantasy that seems real while Aftab Shivdasani and Aamna Sharif perform on the silver screen. An emonationallly entertaining film that takes you for an exciting journey to a fantasy world.

F I L M FA R E A W A R D — 2 0 1 5 The most prestigious and popular award for the Indian Films, Filmfare has been around for many decades. It was first held in 1954 for the films released in 1953. The award held this year for the films released last year has seen Shahid Kapoor taking away the Best Actor—Male, Award while Kangana Ranawat was declared the Best Actor—Female.

Source of information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60th_Filmfare_Awards

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LATE BEN PRASAD

F O R M E R D I R E C T O R — B. S . P R A S A D SUPERMARKET– NASINU FIJI

Left for Eternity at Age-33 Years 30 Years Ago !

Binesari Prasad, known as Ben Prasad was a resident of Nasinu 5 Miles. Born in a wealthy business family he joined his family business at a young age. He was a senior official of Nasinu Football Late Ben Prasad Association. Ben was one of the early time members of Nasinu Jaycees. He was also Chairman of Nasinu Festival in 1980. In 1983 he was appointed the National Treasurer of Fiji Jaycees.

He passed away in 1985 at the age of 33 years. Ben is remembered by a close friend, Arun Maharaj—Publisher– India Fiji Today in USA. He left behind many friends apart from his family. He is also dearly remembered by his sister, Sushila Chandra of Adelaide, Australia.

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F N U H OSTEL IN N ORTH 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 UniA Scene in Suva City During a Lunch Hour versity. 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.

FIJI SITES & SCENES

Information Source—Fijivillage.com

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LATE SHIU RAM

FORMER RESIDENT O F S U VA , F I J I

Left for Eternity at Age-42 Years 25 Years Ago !

Shiu Ram, a self made highly successful person had to give way to death at an early of 42 years. Originally from Nausori, he lived in Suva most of his life. Shiu Ram was a highly successful businessman at the time of his Late Shiu Ram death. He owned the Elvinos Business School and Deans Commercial School in Suva and had a chain of commercial schools around Fiji, including Labasa. He has been a President of Suva Jaycees and Fiji Jaycees. He was also a Jaycees International Senator. A highly energetic person who worked around the clock to make his Jaycees career and business career successful. At the time of his death he had left behind his wife and two young sons, who reside in Auckland, New Zealand.

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FIJI’S HEAT CONDITIONS The hot weather condition in Fiji currently is believed to be a concern to some. The December / January period of the year experiences tremendous heat in Fiji. Suva weather in the past used to 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. Even the residents find it difficult to cope. It is believed the public of Fiji has been A Scene in the Lone Navua Town asked to take precaution from becoming sick by drinking a lot of water and staying in shade wherever possible to avoid dehydration. Reportedly there seems to an increase in the number of people becoming sick by the heat. The farmers must be having a hard time coping with the hot weather conditions as they have to stay out on their farms. Information Source—Online Fiji Times

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SCHOOL HEADS CHALLENGE 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 school heads 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 Students Seen Near Ba Bus Station in Ba Town 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. Information Source—Online Fiji

FIJI SITES & SCENES

Times

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Kamal Amrohi Film Studio in Mumbai The film studio situated in Mumbai is one of the sites to visit.

During a visit to India I visited the studio, filled with greenery and trees.

A Scene at Juhu Beach In Mumbai Juhu Beach is one of the major sites in Mumbai. Visitors, both locally and from abroad visit the beach while visiting Mumbai.

Films are also shot at the beach.

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A Scene On Delhi Luckhnow Highway The busy highway is sometimes crowded with traffic. One of the major highways, it links Delhi to the Eastern part of India.

A Fruit.

Stall Along Road Side in Mumbai Site of this nature is common in India.

Fruits sell well during the hot Summer weather. People work hard in earning their living.

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Objectives 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’/’Fiji Today’ To enlighten issues on Fiji by ‘Fiji Feature’ — To provide pictures of Fiji for people’s Interest‘Fiji Sites & Scenes— Inform and entertain Fiji Community about India through articles and pictures—To share perspectives on philosophical aspects

Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature Fiji Review/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. A Perspective is the writer’s opinion on a subject. 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 Today is a review only based on information from Indian news sources. 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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