July 2016 india fiji today 1

AN ONLINE MAGAZINE ABOUT FIJI AND INDIA LIFESTYLES

BULA BODY SHOP IN REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA OPENS ITS NEW WORKSHOP

COVER PICTURE A SUVA MARKET SCENE—FIJI

BULA BODY SHOP OWNERS NAREND AND PRAVINA SINGH

PUBLISHED & EDITED by ARUN MAHARAJ—HAYWARD CALIFORNIA—USA 510—875 0568— indiafijitoday@gmail.com

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

BULA BODY SHOP OPENS ITS NEW WORKSHOP IN REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA The new workshop is situated at 417 D. Street Redwood City, California. The existing shop, which is situated next to the new workshop, owned by Narend Singh, was established not too long ago but gained popularity because of its good quality work. Mr. Singh has a wide experience in the body— work field. As a former director of another Body Shop, he holds years of quality experience in the field.

BULA BODY SHOP was accredited as the ‘Best of 2014/15 in Redwood City, California’ by BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ‘INDIA FIJI TODAY — A WELL - WISHER OF BULA BODY SHOP WISHES THE BUSINESS FURTHER GROWTH AND SUCCESS’ 1

NEW WORKSHOP

EXISTING WORKSHOP

BULA BODY SHOP OWNERS NAREND AND PRAVINA SINGH

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 Senator 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 posiARUN MAHARAJ tions 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.

As a para/educator he worked at Tennyson High School in Hayward,

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PEOPLE IN FIJI COMMUNITY IN FIJI AND ABROAD Mr. Prasad hails from Nasinu 10 Miles. As a teacher by profession he taught at primary and secondary schools in Fiji and involved in sporting activities in schools . Upon his migration to Brisbane, Australia, he continued with his teaching career and involved himself in various sporting activities. Some of his sporting achievements are as follows—Represented Fiji in many of those sports and won Medals NaGANGA PRASAD tionally and Internationally. Fiji National Games . Table Tennis, Squash, Badminton and BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA Athletics. Fiji National Athletics Championships - Athletics. World Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane 2001. Asia Pacific Masters Games at Gold Coast since 1998 till today - played in Table Tennis, Badminton and Athletics ( won numerous medals). Pan Pacific Masters Athletics Championships. Oceania Veterans Athletics Games (1980 - 2016) - many times. Queensland State Athletics Championships - (1998- 2016) - Uncountable number of medals. Australian Masters Athletics Championships—Queensland and Australian Weight Pentathanlon Championships.

Queensland and Australian Decathalon Championships.

Trans - Tasman Throwing Championships.

Gold Coast Manters Annual Athletics Championships.

Sunshine Coast Annual Athletics Championships. Gympie A SITE IN A SHOPPING Annual Winter athletic ChamCENTER IN SUVA—FIJI pionships.Maryborough Masters Games won 10 medals.

Ipswich Winter Athletics Annual Athletics Championships.

The write—up on sporting achievements has been compiled by Ganga Prasad.

Being highly motivated and enthusiastic sportsman he has achieved a lot and India Fiji Today wishes him further success in his field of sports.

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FIJI TODAY

TRANSPORTATION OF CANE FROM RAKIRAKI CANE FARMS...

As cane crushing season approaches, the non—operation of Penang Sugar Mill in Rakiraki, due to the damages caused by the recent cyclone, obviously becomes an issue.

The mill catered for the entire Rakiraki area while it was in operation over the many years. The cane which was not very much affected by the cyclone, which hit Fiji in February, now would be of harvestable condition. The question now would be the transportation of the cane from Rakiraki area to the Ba Mill. Cane transporting by trucks may mean additional expenses to the farmers A BACK—YARD SITE and probably the distance will mean more IN NASINU—FIJI time required to transport. However, the harvestable cane in the farms has to be put to use regardless of the adverse conditions. Source—Fiji Times - June 21 –2016

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 introducA SITE ALONG QUEEN’S tion of the rights will mean a lot of further asHIGHWAY—FIJI sistance to the people with disabilities in Fiji as they will be able to enjoy life better. This is definitely an issue of providing service to humanity which is a great cause and 5

BULA BODY SHOP 417 D. Street & 1692 Tacoma Way # 7 Redwood City CA 94063

BULA BODY SHOP OWNERS NAREND AND PRAVINA SINGH

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BULA BODY SHOP 6

FIJI TODAY

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 A SITE IN profitable business can be conducted.

DENARAU ISLAND—FIJI Fiji has a long way to go towards development in its many remote areas in many of its resourceful islands. Source—Fiji Sun July 1- 2016

YOGA IN SCHOOLS COULD BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL PROGRAM 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 inA SITE IN troduced in schools have a far reaching efDENARAU ISLAND—FIJI fect on the children and the country at large. Yoga is a very old practice which started in India in the ancient times and is benefiting the people globally today.

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FIJI FEATURE ORPHANAGES AND CARE - HOMES PROVIDING SELFLESS SERVICE...

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 needy 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.’ Fiji had the services of many voluntary, SOME CHILDREN WITH STAFF OF AN service organizations in the ORPHANAGE IN NASINU—FIJI past which greatly assisted in providing services to the needy. Not all of those organizations are in existence today.

A FARM IN NADI—FIJI

A SITE ALONG QUEEN’S HIGHWAY—FIJI 9

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A LOOK AT FIJI’S PAST TAKING A JOURNEY BACK TO THE DAYS OF ...

Fiji’s Politicians of the Past!

During the last over forty - years of Fiji’s independence from the British Empire, the country has seen numerous politicians and they are remembered for their actions and contributions. During the era of ‘The Alliance Party’ and the ‘National Federation Party’ which existed for about two decades many politicians outshined on communal levels and some on national level. The first and the foremost, was Fiji’s first prime minister, Ratu Sir K. Mara, who ruled Fiji from 1970—1987, when his ‘Alliance Government’ lost to the ‘NFP—Labor—Coalition Government’ and that saw the end of the ‘Alliance Government’ and its politicians. The Alliance Party also saw veteran leaders like Ratu Sir George Cakobau who was the first Governor General of Fiji after the independence and Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau became the first president of Fiji. On the ‘National Federation Party’ front, A. D. Patel stands out as the oldest leader followed by S. M. Koya, K. C. Ramrakkha, Irene J. Narayan, Harish Sharm, Jai Ram Reddy and others. Along with these notable leaders of both the parties there were many other politicians from both the parties who provided selfless service to their communities and went away and are remembered, like artists who put up their acts on stage and go away forever . There was also one politician who will go down in the history of Fiji politics, who was neither in the Alliance Party nor in the National Federation Party but was one of the most popular politicians of his time. He was Mr. Butadroka, the leader of the Nationalist Party who was widely known and extremely popular for his nationalist views. The Fiji Labor Party and the SVT which were in prominence in recent past are not in representation in the Fiji parliament today. As Fiji has gone away from communal voting system, it may be wise to pay tribute to the ‘politicians of the past’ whose FIJI’S OLD PARLIAMENT actions and contributions may have HOUSE—NASESE, SUVA contributed to the development and well—being of Fiji’s past.

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USA Contact Pt. Rajesh Pande 510—576 9689

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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….

Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari Won the 1954 Filmfare Awards...

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 JUHU BEACH Bigha Zamin was the MUMBAI, INDIA Best Film for the year.

The film was directed by notable director, Bimal Roy with lead artists, 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.

ChandigarhPunjab 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 LIFE IN A VILLAGE IN INDIA Life 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.

Villagers share unique lifestyle, totally natural and simple living style. It seems life has 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 A VILLAGE SCENE—NORTH INDIA 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. Life goes on and on as generation after generation India’s villages remain much unchanged except supply of tap water and electricity which in some cases have been made available to villages.

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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