A Magazine About Fiji and India Lifestyles Published in USA by Arun Maharaj
India Fiji Today
March—2013
Cover Picture—
Coastal Scene Mumbai, India Picture taken by Arun Maharaj
Published & Edited by Arun Maharaj—Hayward, California—USA 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com
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Feb./ March 2013
Publisher’s Profile ARUN MAHARAJ HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA USA
Publisher/Editor—India Fiji Today Past Co-chairman California Business Advisory Council—Past National President Fiji Jaycees—California Jaycees Senator— Jaycees International Senator—Recipient of the American National Leadership Award— Invited to the US Presidential Dinner in Washington DC.—Represented Fiji in Jaycees World Congress in Japan 1986 Former Secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union Credit Union’—Former Director Nasinu Festival—Taught at Vunimono High School in Nausori Fiji—DAV College inSuva Fiji— Rishikul High School in Nasinu Fiji.
haraj Arun Ma
510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com
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. To provide reading material on Fiji’s past happenings by articles on Fiji Feature. To recognize people in Fiji Community in Fiji, USA and abroad. Inform and entertain Fiji Community about India through articles and pictures. To share views on philosophical aspects of Life – Perspectives.
Nasese Waterfront Suva, Fiji
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People…. Late Vijay Sharma—a Former Civil Servant in Fiji and a Pioneer Staff of Fiji National Training Council Late Vijay Sharma was born in Samabula, Suva Fiji on February 1, 1946. He would have turned 67 years now. Living at Nasinu 8 Miles for most of his life he had his education at Bhawani Dayal Memorial School in Nasinu and DAV College in Suva. Soon after his high school he took a job as a civil servant at the Ministry of Education at its headquarters in Suva. Being a diligent worker he became the head of the Records Section of the Ministry of Education. Upon the setting up of the Fiji National Training Council– a statutory organization in the mid seventies he joined the organization as one of its pioneer members. Today the Fiji National Training Council is part of the Fiji National UniLate Vijay Sharma versity. Having passion for community service, Late Mr. Sharma became a member of the Suva Lions Club, a prestigious service organization, in the mid seventies. His dedication and commitment for the organization led him for his appointment as the Secretary of Suva Lions Club, a position he held for many years. Being a community worker he was an influential member of his community and was also a Hindu Priest . Late Mr. Sharma was called to rest after a short illness in 1993 at 47 years, while he was still a staff of The Fiji National Training Council which is part of Fiji National University now.
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Fiji C Fiji 7’s in Las Vegas and Fiji Community in America… Volume 1, Issue 1
Editorial Comment…. USA—7’s in Las Vegas
Joji Raqamate—Fiji 7’s Player (Center) with Nilesh Sharma (Right) and Navin Singh of Hayward, California USA in Las Vegas
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l E a i R r U o T t A i E d F e I J I F
Volume 1, Issue 1
i ij F d n a s a g e V s a L in ’s Fiji 7 Community in America… India Fiji Today
USA 7’s Rugby Tournament in Las Vegas is becoming an annuPublisher & Editor al gathering for the Fiji CommuArun Maharaj Hayward, California nity in USA. The Fiji 7’s team 510 : 875 0568 seems to be having large numindiafijitoday@gmail.com bers of fans here in USA who Sacramento Correspondent avail themselves in Las Vegas Kristeen Prakash every year. The fans seems to Contributing Writer be increasing every year as this Jai P. Narayan Correspondents year’s turnout reportedly was Mahesh Bharadwaj very high. The gathering at Las Delhi, India Vegas apart from the 7’s games Indar Nair Sydney, Australia gives an opportunity for the Fiji Subhash Chandra people to mingle with each other Auckland, New Zealand and have an outing on an annual Indar Mudaliar Toronto, Canada basis. Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature Fiji Today/Fiji Feature/Fiji Highlight is the editor’s review on the major happenings back in Fiji based on the information from ,online Fiji Times; Fiji Live, 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 ‘perspectives’ are the editor’s/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 .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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JANUARY 2013
A PERSPECTIVE Fiji Community in America and Abroad
By Arun Maharaj—Hayward California-USA
The Value of Today !!!
Today, the most important day in our life, just goes by as we keep wondering about the past and future. In the quagmire of life, often in the thought of things that have happened and what may happen tomorrow our preArun Maharaj cious day, today, passes by. Human nature is such, that we dwell on the past happenings on which we have no control and often think about what may happen tomorrow, which is a mystery today. If our ‘today,’ is spent well and is fruitful to our life than obviously our past, as today will become yesterday, will be fruitful too and on today’s good foundation tomorrow may also be prosperous. The concept of appreciating things only when they are no longer with us is part of our normal lifestyle. Busy in our materialistic lifestyle we may not be able to think about things that are at with us today, they may they be our wealth, properties and even family members, relatives and friends. Why do we think and appreciate them only when they are no longer with us? We take thinks for granted ! Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you have to die tomorrow, and learn as if you have to live forever.” Even the ‘Jaycees’ Philosophy says, “Live as if today is your last day.” What it simply means is to live today to your best, as today will never come back!
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k c a b h s a l F i j i F Pictorial Rewa Secondary Schools’ Soccer Team—1978 This picture was taken in Lautoka in 1978 during the Secondary Schools’ Inter - district Soccer Tournament. The team was made up of all players from Nausori secondary schools, which included Vunimono High School, Saraswati Colege, Shreedhar Secondary School, Central Fijian School and Lelean Memorial School. The inter - district tournament was an annual event comprising of teams from secondary schools of all towns of Fiji playing for championship for the inter - district tournament. If you have old pictures that made news in the past and can be included in this column please forward them to me with a short note about the picture/s and they will be included in this column. You will be recognized by your name appearing with the picture.
1978—Rewa Secondary Schools’ Soccer Team with Officials— Michael Raman (standing far left) – president (Teacher—Vunimono High School) Rajesh Ram (standing second from right) – coach (Teacher—Vunimono High School) Arun Maharaj (standing far right) – manager ( Teacher—Vunimono High School)
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Fiji in Pictures Botanical Gardens Suva A historical site of Suva and Fiji. It is one of the major landmarks of Fiji. Being there since the colonial days, the site has been visited by tourists for the last many decades.
A View of Walu Bay Suva Suva’s first and traditional industrial zone. Many factories and industrial businesses have been serving the city for decades.
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INDIA FEATURE
Fog in Northern India!!
c in the city and surrounding. India is Fog in Delhi recently seems to have created havo very nice travel to r d u i n g Winter as low the temperatures keep you comfortable. atThe mos phe re s e e m s h i g h l y fresh suitable for long distance t ra ve lin g. Particularly er in Wint haraj a i d the Northn I a h Nort Arun M ken by ern India is ta e r tu Pic really cool during winThis ter. year’s winapart ter endous amount of fog which is creatfrom being extremely cold has brought about trem h India. It is believed the fog was ing havoc for Delhi and the Uttar Pradesh in the Nort le driving to work in the morning so bad that the visibility almost does not exist. Peop was very low. Accidents seem to seem to have faced lots of difficulty as the visibility road travelers the aircrafts face have taking place due to the massive fog. Apart from as the aircrafts were not able to delays as many flights seem to have been cancelled take off and land.
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M A I R O M IN ME
Volume 1, Issue 1
Tribute to Late Jiwan Chand Sharma ‘Left for Eternity Fifty—Three Years ago’ Born in Samabula, Suva— Fiji he lived most of his life there. Being a popular singer he was well known in the area. During the 1940’s and 1950’s he was at the peak of his singing career and even sang directly in the radio station in Suva apart from Late Jiwan Chand Sharma singing in public at various occasions. He mostly sang Gazals of late K.L.Saigal, which were hits then and still has an audience today. He succumbed to death at an early age of 42 years in February 1960. Inserted by the courtesy of Arun Maharaj— Publisher— ‘India Fiji Today’ for his beloved father.
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INDIAN FILM WORLD Vidya Balan’s 2012 Best Actress Award for Filmfare 2012
Born in South India in a prominent family she grew up in Mumbai. A graduate in Sociology she did her Masters Degree from University of Mumbai. She is among the most educated Actresses in Indian Film Industry today. Her presentation in the films reveals her high level of education. Vidya Balan made her entry in the Indian Film Industry by Parineeta in 2005 and won the Best Female Debut Award for Filmfare. Some of the awards she has won since her entry in the Indian Film Industry are—National Award for Best Actress in Dirty Picture, Filmfare Best Actress for Pa in 2009, Dirty Picture in 2011. The 2013 Filmfare Award for Best Actress was taken by her for her outstanding performance in Kahani. source—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidya_Balan
STAR INFORMATION
Actor Ashok Kumar Would Have Been 102 Years Old This Year! 19
l e v a r India T A Coastal Scene in Mumbai
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a i d n I f o s n o i t a t S Hill
Volume 1, Issue 1
Darjeeling—West Bengal
A hill station town situated at a height of around six— thousand feet in the West B engal State of India. Known for its tea industry the hill st ation is popular tourist dest ination for foreigners and locals alike. It is also situated close to Nepal border. Many Indian films have been shot in Darjeeling Shimla in the past. Among Among them ar e— Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore’s popula r hit ‘Aradhna’ and Raj Kapoor ’s ‘Mera Naam Joker’ and ‘Barssat.’The recent re lease ‘Barfi’ has also been shot in Darjeeling.
India Today
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l e v a r T India A Hotel in Shimla—Hillstatioin
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l e v a r T a i Ind
Crowded Bus on a Route
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Fiji Feature... Film—Table 21—World Premier in Fiji... Fiji has finally been identified and recognized by the Indian Film Industry as a shooting location. Having some Hollywood films shot in Fiji locations, some of them have been popular releases, Fiji has been a potential site for film Industries. i harf—Fij Suva W Table 21, a Bollywood production, shot in Fiji, had its world premier in Fiji. The film has put the country on the international scene where Bollywood film are screened. Table 21 has new comer artists on the lead role with veteran actor Paresh Rawal on the central role. Shot in central Suva City and Pacific Harbor. The film is believed to have done well financially in its worldwide screenings. Table 21 may give opportunity for more Bollywood films to be shot entirely or partially in Fiji. 25
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Fiji Today Private Car Rental Trade‌. e math n e e b s a h le p o e p f o n tio a Transport bus opm ro F . iji F in y n a m r fo ss e n jor busi xis, the ta te va ri p l a g e ill e th to erators re seems e h T . n o g in o g n e e b s a h ss e busin rivate cars p e m so s a w o n d n e tr w e n to a am in rs ca l ta n re s a g tin ra e p seem to be o me so f o ct a e h T y. tr n u co e th f jor centers o em th ke ta y a m le p o e p ss e n si u so called b this n o d n a st t’s n e m rn ve o g e th to task as ms to e se ss e n si u b rt o sp n a tr l a g e serious ill be serious.
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Fiji Today Political Parties Registration...
ilit o p , rs a e y n e v e s t s o lm a f After a lapse o Fiji. in g in c a rf u s e b to m e e cal parties s hen w iji F in d n e n a to e m a c Party politics over n e k ta s a w t n e m rn e v o G the Qarase on for ti ra a p re p In . 6 0 0 2 in ry ta by the mili n in Fiji o ti c le e l ra e n e g 4 1 0 2 d e s the propo e of the n o y, rt a P n o ti ra e d e F l a n the Natio eems to s , iji F in s ie rt a p l a ic lit o oldest p rs to quale b m e m h g u o n e d re te is g have re de F l na o ti a N n. io ct le e l ra ify for the gene am e th n o w d a h n o ti c le e 7 eration in 197 uld o c y lit a ic n h c te to e u d t u jority votes b not form the government. 29
Fiji Today o t s e i t i v i t c A s u o Religi s l o o h c S n i y r a t be Volun s of
e service th e v a h to te a n u rt fo Fiji has been ing id v ro p in s n o ti a iz n a various religious org n objecw o s it s a h y d o b s u io schools. Each relig ies in it v ti c a s u io g li re ir e tive in promoting th ities v ti c a s u io g li re e th schools. However, good to is It . ly n o ls e v le ry ta should be at volun should it t u b s n io g li re r e th have knowledge of o stua d e v e li e b is It . n re d il not be imposed to ch leave the to d e k s a s a w l o o h c dent in a Suva s icipate rt a p t o n id d t n e d tu s school because the istry in M e h T . s ie it v ti c a s u in the school’s religio ction and a n e k ta e v a h to s m of Education see nd stue s to t o n re a ls o o h pointed out that sc fs. e li e b s u io g li re ir e th f o dents away because 30
Fiji Today th a e D l ta ru B ’s n a M i ij F r e rm o F in Auckland, New Zealand‌
ad ro b a d le tt se ts n e d si re iji F r e A lot of form horriin g n yi d le p o e p iji F y. lit ta fa have face creasin e b to s m e se d a ro b a s th a fying de an bem g n u yo a f o se ca t n ce re e ing. Th uckland A a n o d a e d lly ta ru b d n u ing fo concern d te a e cr s a h y sl u o vi b o e d roadsi Auckland, in ity n u m m co iji F e th g n amo en similar e b ve a h re e h T . d n la a e Z w Ne si re iji F r e rm fo re e h w d n la ck cases in Au es. liv ir e th st lo d n a y lit ta ru b d dents face 21 a to d ve lie e b is d se a ce e d t The recen laying p r, ye la p r e cc so t n e in m ro p year old for a local team.
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Fiji Today Fiji Airways to Replace Air Pacific y The name Air Pacific may become histor e when the airline officially changes its nam to to Fiji Airways. In a bid to promote Fiji the international travelers the name Fiji as r. sociated with the airline may sell bette e us in en be s ha ic cif Pa r Ai e m na e Th m since 1970 and saw the airline grow fro e domestic to international carrier. The nam rFiji Airways seems to be new but the ai line carried that since its inception in 1951 and continued with the name till 1970 when it changed to Air Pacific. 33
F I J I FA C T S Ceded to great Britain 1874 First lot of Indians Arrives in 1879 First Capital—Levuka Number of Islands—About 300 Gained Independence 1970 First Military Coup 1987 Prime Ministers of Fiji—Ratu Sir Mara–1970
–1987—Timoci Bavdra—1987—Sitiveni Rabu ka— 1987– 1999—Mahendra Chaudhary—19992000—Laisenia Qarase—2000-2006—Frank Ba inimarama—2006 to date
Capital—Suva Fiji’s Population—About 800,000
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