JUNE 2011
Insurance & Retirement Planning Services
INDIA FIJI TODAY
S T N E T N O C MAY 2011
Contents Editorial / Fiji Feature - Fiji Abroad Famous People - Perspectives Fiji’s Towns & Settlements Indian Film World Fiji Today - India Today India Sites Quotations
Disclaimer Fiji Today/India Today Fiji Lifestyle is the editor’s review on the major happenings back in Fiji based on the information from Times of India, other Indian publications, Fiji Times; Fiji Sun; visitors to and from Fiji and other Fiji publications. These are editor’s own views based on the information from those sources. The articles are the editor’s original articles and any error/s are regretted and the editor / publisher is not responsible for any such error/s and or further discussions.
Advertisements The claims made by the advertisers is entirely their own and the editor / publisher does not necessarily support or endorses these claims.
C o n ta c t W a h a b A li (877) 4 62 34 54 650 : 876 194 5 650 : 238 814 0 A / H
WholesaleforAir Pacific–AirNew Zealand—Qantas
Welch Travel Service Inc.
W ith o u t a T ra v e l A g e n t Y o u A re O n Your Ow n
Check Out our Lowest Fares!!!
FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Reader—Welcome to ‘India Fiji Today’ June issue. This is a monthly electronic magazine and it has been set up to keep the Fiji community here in USA informed about the happenings back in their former home, Fiji and the Fiji community abroad. It is obvious that the Fiji community here has an interest in the affairs of Fiji. Almost thirty thousand former Fijians are settled in America and the majority are settled on the West Coast state of California. Since the majority of the former Fiji residents settled here are of Indian origin, materials and articles on India has been included for their interest.
India Fiji Today Publisher & Editor Arun Maharaj Hayward, California 510 : 875 0568 indiafijitoday@gmail.com
Sacramento Correspondent Kristeen Prakash Contributing Writer Jai P. Narayan Correspondents Mahesh Bharadwaj Delhi, India Indar Nair Sydney, Australia Subhash Chandra Auckland, New Zealand Indar Mudaliar Toronto, Canada
Arun Maharaj—Publisher/Editor
PUBLISHER’S PROFILE
India Fiji Today
publisher, Arun Maharaj has involved himself in public and community activities at local and national levels. He is a ‘California Jaycees’ and the ‘Jaycees International Senator’. In 2003 he was appointed a co - chairman of the ‘California Business Advisory Council’ and received the ‘American National Leadership Award’and was also invited to the ‘US Presidential Dinner’ in Washington D.C. He is a former member of the ‘USA Fiji Festival Advisory Council’. Being actively involved in ‘Fiji Jaycees’ he is a past National President of Fiji Jaycees, a former Chairman of the ‘Fiji Jaycees Senate’ and past President of ‘Nasinu Jaycees’. As the Director of ‘Nasinu Festival’ he served the ‘Valelevu Hospital Carnival Committee’ in Nasinu as its advisor. He also represented Fiji in the ‘Japan Jaycees Youth Voyage’ and ‘Jaycees International Congress’ in Japan. As a teacher in Fiji he taught at Vunimono High School in Nausori, DAV College in Suva, Rishikul High School in Nasinu. As the editor he compiled and edited many school magazines. He also served as national secretary of the ‘Fiji Teachers Union Credit Union’.
F IJI F ACTS
Government Buildings Suva, Fiji
GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITAIN—1970 FIRST MILITARY COUP—1987 SECOND COUP—2000 THIRD COUP—2006 POPULATION—850,000 ABOUT 67% Fijians and Other Minority Races Indians about 33% Prior to the First Military Coup Indians were in Majorit FIJIANS SETTLED ABROAD Australia –48,000—(2006 Figures) New Zealand -37,000-(2006 Figures) Canada –24,000-(2000 Figures)
\\
PRIME MINISTERS OF FIJI Late Ratu Sir K. Mara—1970-1987 Late Timoci Bavadra– 1987—1987 Sitiveni Rabuka—1987-1999 Mahendra P. Chaudhary-1999-2000 Laisenia Qarase-2000-2006 Frank Bainimarama-2006 to Date
PRESIDENTS OF FIJI Late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau Late Ratu Sir K. Mara Late Ratu Josefa I. Uluivuda Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
NUMBER OF ISLANDS More Than 300—ABOUT 100 ARE INHABITAT
F IJI FEDITORIAL EATURE F IJI F EATURE
‘R IDDING C ORRUPTION ’
A C ORRUPTION F REE F IJI !!! Fiji seems to be on the way to a corruption To some elements of the community free lifestyle. Acts of bribery that occurred in particularly in the business community the recent past years under different Fiji adwho are accustomed to the dishonest ministrations seems to be exposed now. The way of making money, ahead of the recent jail sentence of two senior business people who believe in fairness, this noexecutives seems to give a clear message ble act of punishing the culprits, by the about the commitment of Fiji towards ridding government may be warning them to dishonest act from the straighten their daily life of Fiji. The dealings or face trend not to follow the the consequences. F I J I TO DA Y stipulated laws and regulations by some All citizens have a people in authority that right to freedom lured some people to and free dealings partake in the corrupt based on their caact for both the parties pabilities and not benefit seems to have be plague by the BOTANICAL been an ongoing act. GARDEN—SUVA enemies of the soCorruption seems to ciety who only have thrived in many deem their life sectors of the country between different parimportant. ties where both the parties gained financially. The act of fraud is prevalent in some third Some do not realize that we all basiworld countries as the poor people have to cally need two to three meals a day; suffer as they do not have the money to offer clothes to cover our body and a in exchange of official work to be done, which shelter to stay alive and be peaceful. is their right. They unnecessarily take the risk to satThe recent cases of corrupt acts being ex- isfy their insatiable desires by loading posed in Fiji should be giving relief to the themselves with wealth which many general public as the act of corruption is a times they do not even use. parasite to the community which does not let the people live freely. Editor—Arun Maharaj
CLASSIFIEDS
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY
Nidhi Sharma
INDIA FIJI TODAY
NIDHI SHARMA BEST WISHES FROM M U M M Y & P A PA – M R . & MRS NILESH SHARMA OF HAYWARD-CALIFORNIA; AJA & AJI; NANI FROM FIJI; DADA & DADI; KAKA; SISTER JIYA, COUSINS, AUNTIES & U N C L E S , F UA A N D A L L RELATIVES
Fiji ABROAD A REVIEW ONLY MAY 2011
T H E B E AT I N G O F A F O R M E R F I J I A N I N VA N C O U V E R C ANA DA The recent beating of a former Fiji man in Vancouver has generated concern among the Fiji community which is heavily settled in Vancouver and its suburb. The victim, a newspaper delivery man is believed to have been beaten by police as he was on his way to deliver newspaper at a hotel. Canada which is home to over twenty thousand former Fijians faced struggle from its migrant community particularly in Vancouver. A lot of Indian settlers occupied most areas in Vancouver in the
residential and business areas. They dominated most areas of business. Even in other cities like Toronto the Indians excelled in most fields including representations in the Canadian parliament. Canada had earlier settlers from Fiji and the Fiji population grew dramatically after the political turmoil of Fiji in 1987 as the Fijians were given refuge status. Former Fijians have mostly settled in Vancouver; Edmonton; Calgary and Toronto.
TUNE UPS
BRAKE SERVICE
OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE
FIJI’S CITIES , TOWNS & SETTLEMENTS
A L OOK AT N ASINU T ODAY F I J I ’ S M O ST P O PU L OU S AN D R EC ENTLY E STAB LI SH ED T OW N Fiji’s most recently established town is the largest town and most populous with a population of more than 87,000, ahead of the capital city, Suva. It is situated about five miles away from Suva and has a great land area about twice that of Suva, stretching from Nasinu 4 Miles to 9 Miles. It used to cover area up to Nasinu 10 Miles. It is an urban area with no rural area in its boundary. Nasinu was declared a town in 1999 and has been controlled by a town council, headed by a mayor, made up of elected councilors, the largest town council in Fiji, until the dissolution of all town councils by the current Fiji government. Nasinu lived under the shadow of Suva for a long time as a suburban and rural area. It was in the late seventies when Nasinu started showing signs of its own identity when Nasinu Jaycees and Nasinu Football Association were established in 1977.
Shortly afterwards Housing Authority set up its headquarters there in Valelevu, where Nasinu Town stands today. Nasinu Jaycees played a leading role in developing the suburban area by many of its community development projects and in 1980 for the first time, Nasinu Festival was organized by the Jaycees. The Housing Authority developed many areas turning it into modern settlements. After the 1987 political turmoil of Fiji, sudden exodus of people from the country had massive impact on the Jaycees and other service organizations and the development plans of the Housing Authority as Fiji lay in limbo. Today the ‘1987 event’ is history and Nasinu has all amenities of a modern lifestyle with a new set of migrant population from other parts of the country, who may not know much about its history. The original Nasinuans may be in limited number as majority have left for abroad.
A Perspective INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
by Jai P. Narayan—Union City—California—
LIFE RETURNS WHAT WE INVEST IN IT! Most of us would readily believe that we are part and parcel of one creation. The Creator is one and we’re all manifestations of that one Creator. Indeed, each one of us and each item of creation are tied to that one Supreme Being, as if through an umbilical chord.
fate may play a part, but the differences may also be due to how each applied himself/herself and utilized the opportunities presented. We all have at our disposal the means to prosper in this world. But we have to play our part and realize that what we get out of life depends on what we put into it. As we know, positive attitude, absolute determination and persistent effort are the essentials for achieving success.
Each item of creation is governed by the same energy and possesses the same potentials. No individual is supreme to anyone else since the Needless to say, we should central core is the same never be overawed by the in all. With the exception success or status of anyone. of some who have major As we are from the same limitations, most other creation, we are no less or people have all the necmore than anyone else, and essary abilities to achieve we must guard against any success in life. Why then tendency to think that others do we see marked differare superior. We stand to ences in the achieveharm ourselves if we have the ments of people generhabit of running ourselves ally, and even within the down or engage in selfJai P. Narayan same family? defeating thoughts. Likewise, Jai P. Narayan we should never place ourA look at differences in selves on the pedestal and achievements of different members of the same think that others are inferior to us. Looking down on family can be quite revealing. In fact, it is not unothers or laughing at the misfortune of others recommon to find within the same family some maflects immaturity and lack of understanding of hujor differences in the overall progress, developman nature and its potentials. ment and success of different individuals. Here, I am not limiting the measure of success to Life is an even playing field and how we play how well-off we are in material terms but generally the life- game depends on us! to success in any of life’s noble endeavors. How can we explain such differences when each member of the family came from the same genetic tree and was exposed to more or less the same environment? Is it luck or .fate? Yes, luck or
Jai P. Narayan Former General Manager Administration Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd.—1990–1998 Currently HR Director-Innovative Circuits Engineering Inc.
NEELAM
IMMIGRATION SERVICES
FAMILY LAW PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION (510) 258-8091 info@attorneysarmiento.com
Attorney Philip Sarmiento
Attorney Irina Puhachevksy
A Perspective INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
by Arun Maharaj—Hayward—California
BEING GENUINE Being genuine in your actions is the way to happy living. Genuine actions go a long way towards attaining positive results in life. Even in material things, genuine materials last much longer than those that are fake. ‘Genuine gold will always shine brightly even if it is put in dirt or mud but fake gold will only shine briefly even if it is polished constantly’. The concept of ‘being genuine’ is a quality in human beings which is generally ignored and not taken seriously although it is one of the most important of all the characteristics . Positive and lasting results are not possible without genuine actions. We can draw an analogy between genuine actions and pretences to truth and lie. Genuine actions is like truth while pretenses are like lies. We see in real life situations that genuine actions bear fruit for yourselves like being genuinely being involved in your work or profession; studying for a particular profession; commitment to business etc. Along with these personal
personal life effects genuine behavior has an implication on the world surrounding us particularly on your relationships with people. A genuine relationship lasts, where one is prepared to give and not
people are in relationship with others but are not able to achieve the true satisfaction or love on their part of the relationship. A genuine worship of the Lord or someone would provide peace and satisfaction whereas the pretense to worship for fame may not provide peace and eventually the fame will die out leaving one in total oblivion.
Even in greeting someone, which is a very temporary relationship, where you may not meet that person ever again in life, differences can be made between genuine greeting, either verbal or handshake, and a fake one. Arun Maharaj
to take advantage of the relationship and be ready to gain all the time. Those who always believe in gaining something out of a relationship without ever being prepared to give in are not in genuine relationship and the relationship will fall apart. It is a paradox of life that
“Be genuine and you may find a genuine world around you and not a fake one.” Arun Maharaj Former Teacher—Fiji Jaycees International Senator California Jaycees Senator Past National President Fiji Jaycees
Zena Skin Care USA Welcome to Zena Skin Care Zena skin care established in 1980. We are serving the nation in the field of cosmetics. Since a long time there is a research work in the field of Cosmetics and it’s going on. Millions of People improved their skin using different kinds of products. We are also part of that research work, that’s why the Zena Skin Care can assure their customers that their research will give them a very good experience to improve their skin from fair to flawless. We believe that technology can improve work, efficiency, duration that’s why we bring the latest technology for your skin and we hope that their research will give you the best result to make your skin beautiful. The product gives you guarantee to remove the pigmentation and all kinds of acne. Customer satisfaction is our first priority.
Zena Whitening Cream Searching for whitening cream that can help illuminate your skin and make it softer. Look no further, because Zena whitening cream is here. Imagine more sensual skin in as little as five days with exquisite skin whitening from fair to flawless skin. This is a great skin whitening treatment for all types of skin. It removes dark spots, pimples scars, blemishes skin, pigmentation and other discoloration skin. NOW YOU CAN BUY ZENA SKIN CARE PRODUCTS ONLINE
Distributors 38 W Tennyson Rd. Hayward CA 94544 USA Phones : +510 760 0921 +510 760 0922 +510 862 4405 Fax +510 786 2329 Email : zenaskincare@yahoo.com Web. : www.zenaskincareusa.com
INDIA SITES
TAJ MAHAL AGRA—UTTAR PRADESH B Construction of the world famous monument was completed in 1653 after almost twenty years of construction. Located on the banks of Yamuna River it is regarded as one of the most magnificent structures in the world. A symbol of love stands greeting millions of visitors from India and abroad on yearly basis.
P ROMINENT P EOPLE
SONIA GANDHI INDIA Sonia Gandhi was born in Italy in 1946. While studying in Cambridge U.K. she met Rajiv Gandhi, who was studying at the Cambridge University then and later became the Prime Minister of India. They married in 1969. As the leader of the Congress Party she is the most popular political figure in India today. Sonia Gandhi also served as the Leader of the Opposition of India from 1998—2004.—Source -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Gandhi
M AHENDRA C HAUDHARY FIJI Mahendra Chaudhary was the fourth Prime Minister of Fiji. Born in 1942 in Ba he became the leading trade unionist of Fiji. Later he joined politics and became a senior member of the Fiji Labor Party. In 1987 after the Labor Party formed government he became the Minister of Finance. In 1991 he became the Leader of the Opposition and in 1999 he was elected the Prime Minister of Fiji after his party’s landslide victory. Later after his government was removed from power he fought hard for his government’s reinstatement which failed and he succumbed to defeat. He fought the later general elections in Fiji and after the military takeover of the Qarase Government in 2006, he briefly served in the Military Government Source—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahendra_Chaudhry
INDIAN FILM WORLD April
I NDI A FI J I TODAY
2011
SALMAN KHAN’S RESTAURANT VENTURE The popular Bollywood celebrity’s restaurant venture seems an extension to his numerous charity activities in India. It is believed plans are underway for Salman Khan to set up restaurant chains for charity. The first one to open its doors is believed to be in Bandra, close to his home. The proceeds from the business is expected to go towards charity. Salman Khan is known for sharing his homecooked food for lunch with his
colleagues during his film shootings. He is probably the leading charitable worker in Bollywood today. Well respected and loved by the millions of fans in India and abroad, Salman Khan seems to be enjoying a simple ‘common -man’ living style. His quest for charity makes many less fortunate lives happy. “We all live for ourselves but the beauty of living, lies in living for others’’.
STARS’ PROFILE RAJINIKANTH SHAHID KAPOOR Born in 1950 as Shivaji Rao Gaewad in 1950 in Bangalore Rajnikanth grew to stardom from ordinary living. Having lost his mother in childhood he faced a hard childhood and worked in various places for living including as a bus conductor in Bangalore. He later made it to the Film Industry and today is a celebrated artist.
The heartthrob of millions Shahid Kapoor is a successful actor today. Son of actor Pankaj Kapoor he was born in Delhi and lived his childhood there with his mother. He won the Best Debut award in 2003 and since then has been nominated twice for Best Actor award for Filmfare. He is today among the leading Bollywood celebrities.
I NDIA T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
D RUNK D RIVING
IN
D ELHI
people decide to drive after consuming With a population of around fouralcohol. In a recent crack—down on teen million it can be imagined the drunken driving it is believed over a number of people on the streets of thousand people India’s capihave been arrested tal on daily INDIA TODAY and jailed for drunk basis. Drunk driving. driving adds to the comAccidents take motion on many lives when the roads. they occur on busy Most people roads. Delhi being use public capital and the sectransportaond most populous tion but the city of India is vismotor cars ited by many Indiand other veDriving on Indian Road ans from the outer hicle users parts of India. The contribute constant crack down on crime and loitergreatly to the road usage. The heavy trucks use considerable part ing on Delhi roads will probably make it a of the roads. To make things worse safe city in India to travel to.
I NDIA T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
R AJNI A BBI 窶年 EW M AYOR OF D ELHI India has a legacy of producing woman leaders. The election of Rajni Abbi a 49 year old professor INDIA TODAY at the Delhi University as the new Mayor of Delhi has added to the list of renowned ladies who are serving or have served India. Currently the office of the President of India is held by Pratibha Patil; Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is
held by Mayawati and the leader of the Congress Party is being held by Sonia Gandhi. There are also some women in the current government holding important portfolios. The legacy of Lone Road User woman leadership started with Indira Gandhi becoming the first woman prime minister of India.
F IJI T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
N O M ORE I NDIAN C OLLEGE . The recent schools name school, Deenbandhu Primary change policy has put the School in Rewa Street in well known Suva. Thousands Suva sec- FIJI TODAY of children have ondary gone through the school’s school over the name in last 60 years with history. the name Indian The name College to them NEW LOOK MH– SUVA Indian synonymous to College education. It will does not exist anymore as be hard to forget the name by the schools name has been the school’s ex—students as changed to Jai Narayan the name meant to them more College, named after Mr. Jai than just a school’s name. The Narayan a former long time new name Jai Nayayan College will honor the dedication principal of the school. of its former principal who will The school was founded in also go in the history of the 1946 along with a sister school.
F IJI T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
H UNT
FOR
C ORRUPT A CTS
The government’s dedication for ridding corruption seems to be the major priority for now. The case of a Labasa businessman involved in a fraud act adds to the number of corruption cases already brought to justice. It is believed the Labasa busiFIJI TODAY nessman, a hardware dealer falsely obtained money from a government ministry for materials not supplied to a church. The government official is also believed to have been charged. It seems such acts of corruption have been a common practice of some businessmen and some government officials. to obtain money falsely. Much of such cases
were not brought to justice in the past and the people involved took great advantage of the fact. The sudden actions by the government has left some corrupt people in total despair as they probably were under the impression that their actions were the order of the day and they will keep winning and will never be exposed. The exposure of one A RURAL SCENE of Fiji’s leading businessman’s fraudulent behavior is a huge crackdown on corruption in Fiji. Sentencing the businessman shows the level of seriousness on the policy of corruption in Fiji. This should act as a major deterrent for future corrupts acts.
F IJI T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
S CHOOLS ’ N AMES C HANGE The recent name changes policy Attempts have failed to achieve a implemented for schools that were government of national unity. The named after religions and races is a schools name change policy may be highly bold move. It is believed hard to accept by some religious about fifty and racial orschools throughout Fiji ganizations FIJI TODAY had their names controlling the changed recently. The schools but is schools when founded a definite posiby various organizative step totions must have had wards achievsome religious or racial ing ‘national ideals and principles unity’! A COASTAL SCENE which were fulfilled over the years. Majority Fiji has come of Fiji’s schools are controlled by a long way from the days of ‘Alliance religious groups. Schools have and Federation Parties’ based on rabeen functioning very much on reli- cial lines. The concept of national gious and racial lines with no disunity has been propagated in the pute as teachers and school heads past during elections by many were the preferences of the school prominent politicians of the past but committees. Race and religion much was not achieved. The recent played an integral part of the school schools name change policy may system. There have been talks of bring the realization of ‘national national unity in Fiji for a long time. unity’ in Fiji.
IN DIA F IJ I TO DAY
VISIT INDIA
FOR RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION- ACCOMODATION TOUR GUIDE IN INDIA
CALL MAHESH BHARADWAJ DELHI - INDIA
F IJI T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
T AXI D RIVERS ’ F RAUD A CT Some Nadi taxi drivers seem to Tourism has been providing be deceiving the innocent tour- constant income to Fiji as an ists whom they depend for their industry for a long time and the business. Fraud deceptive acacts seem to have tions by the FIJI TODAY made strong roots unreliable few in many business can put the incircles in Fiji. It is dustry in jeopbelieved some taxi ardy. drivers operating from the Nadi AirIt is also beport are cheating lieved that the A MARIGOLD GARDEN—NASINU the tourists by drivers are overcharging them obtaining forby not using taxi meters. Taxis eign currencies from the tourare supposed to use meters but ists for fare. The foreign curto make more money from the rency is later sold to people innocent visitors who are in a who deal in foreign currency at way at the mercy of the taxi a higher rate. The taxi drivers drivers, the drivers fix their own make additional money and the fares which are obviously much buyers gain by obtaining formore than the normal meter eign currency without dealing fare. with the banks.
F IJI T ODAY INDIA FIJI TODAY
APRIL 2011
S Y D N E Y G I R L ’ S D ROW N I N G Drowning in Fiji waters have claimed many lives, some of even tourists. The reFIJI TODAY cent drowning of a 28 year old girl from Sydney adds to the many drowning cases of Fiji. It is believed the deceased drowned while scuba diving in Beqa. Reportedly she was holidaying in Beqa with her boyfriend and had gone out for diving when the accident occurred. Desperate attempts were made
IN
FIJI
to save her by the instructors and her boyfriend but she died after being taken out of the water where she had drowned. Fiji waters are attractive for the tourists WESTPAC BANK– SUVA as the tropical climate of Fiji makes it a pleasant experience with warm water diving. Accidents of this nature is regrettable but can be avoided with proper care taken.
A D D I AAAMONTHLY AIA
ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE TO ADVERTISE IN INDIA FIJI TODAY CALL THE PUBLISHER Arun Maharaj 510 : 875 0568 Indiafijitoday@gmail.com
Q UOTATIONS !!! B Y M AHATMA G ANDHI ‘One Needs to be Slow to form Convictions but once Formed they must be Defended Against the Heaviest Odds’ !!! In simple language it means that you should take time to make your principles and once you have made your principle/s you should stick to it and not change from time to time or from situation to situation.
APPRECIATION TO THE READERS OF INDIA FIJI TODAY JUNE ISSUE—AS THE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF INDIA FIIJI TODAY I WISH TO THANK YOU FOR READING THIS ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE. I HOPE YOUR READING WAS A FRUITFUL ONE. AND I ANTICIPATE YOU WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ISSUE OF INDIA FIJI TODAY. TO THE ADVERTISERS—THANK YOU FOR ADVERTISING IN THIS MAGAZINE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTNUED SUPPORT. THANKS—ARUN MAHARAJ—PUBLISHER/EDITOR
AD BACK IN