November 2015 india fiji today

SOUTH BAY FOOTBALL CLUB WINS 2015 NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER CUP TOURNAMENT IN SURREY, CANADA A SITE ALONG QUEEN’S HIGHWAY - FIJI

PUBLISHED & EDITED by ARUN MAHARAJ—HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA—USA 510—875 0568— indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com/Arun Maharaj A MAGAZINE ABOUT INDIA AND FIJI LIFESTYLES PUBLISHED IN USA

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

SOUTH BAY FOOTBALL CLUB FOUNDER NARENDRA NARAYAN WITH THE NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER CUP AFTER SOUTH BAY TEAM’S VICTORY IN THE 2015 TOURNAMENT IN SURREY, CANADA IN SEPTEMBER

NARENDRA NARAYAN

PUBLISHER’S PROFILE PAST CO CHAIRMAN CALIFORNIA BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL CALIFORNIA JAYCEES AND JAYCEES INTERNATIONAL SENATOR PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT FIJI JAYCEES

Arun Maharaj Publisher / Editor

FORMER SCHOOLTEACHER—FIJI 1

A TRIBUTE TO CHANDRA BHAN PANDE...

A PIONEER EMIGRANT FROM FIJI TO AMERICA Tracing His Journey From Fiji to America in the Fifties… and his Tremendous Success in the Land of Opportunity—America…..

A young man of Samabula, Suva set forth to an adventure, along with a few friends from Samabula to become one of the pioneers to leave Fiji and settle in America in 1955. An energetic, Mr. Pande left behind his family and a large number of relatives and friends to settle permanently in the United States of America. He made success in settling in Oregon State and returned to Fiji a few years later to get married to a girl from a prominent family of Samabula. Later his sisters and their families joined him to live in America. Mr. Pande worked tirelessly and became wealthy and moved to San Francisco and settled in the city CHANDRA BHAN PANDE of San Bruno. He worked for United Airlines for many years and alongside kept investing in real estate which gave him fortune. He owned a number of apartments around San Francisco. Later he went into hotel business and bought a hotel in Stockton, California and ventured into business in Fiji by setting up Hotel San Bruno in Nadi. After years of running the hotel he sold it and set up another hotel, MAYA’S MAGNUSON HOTEL in Nadi, which he still owns. An entrepreneur, he still owns apartments around San Francisco and keeps traveling to Fiji to oversee his hotel. As a passion to travel world, he visited many countries. He has been to India many times and had contact with the Indian film stars of the past. He also wrote a few books which became popular. A person with a wealth of experience in life, he is simple, humble and easily approachable. He is one of the highly, financially successful person in the Fiji community in America today. The wisdom that he possesses and shares with people is highly valuable. As a cousin of mine, I had the opportunity to converse with him and experience the wise thoughts he has to share on many occassions. In his mid- eighties today, he still has the heart of a youth. I, along with INDIA FIJI TODAY wish him good health and long life.

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FIJI TODAY

PEOPLE

MONTFORT BOYS TOWN IN SAVUSAVU GRADUATION

IN FIJI COMMUNITY IN FIJI AND ABROAD

DHANPAT RAI As December approaches, many thousands of students graduate from various schools and educational institutions Former Vice Principal around the country. The Montfort Boys D A V College, Suva—Fiji Town in Savusavu seems to have graduated around forty students who are ready to enter into their working life in various fields. The institution has been providing vocational education from its Suva based center for many decades. Many high school, college and university graduates would be looking to enter into theirNEW careers.FIJI Fiji’s FLAG education systemA has been quality edu- seems contest forproviding new Fiji Flag design cation toand graduates have been be inthe place now in Fiji for the people to successfully providing services not only participate. Fiji flag has been in place in Fiji since but also abroad. Manyforty—five former Fiji years independence, residents been highly successful in raised ago.have Wherever the flag is seen or their work career in overseas the Fiji citizens aroundcountries. the globe give it Source—Fiji Times November 2015to a plan by the respect.

There seems

government to replace the flag. The thoughts of the CLUB government is related to NAVUA the present time in Fiji and the relevance DHANPAT RAI A LANDMARK OF NAVUA of the flag to today’s Fiji. There seems to be both sides of thoughts presented Mr. Rai is a former Vice Principal of D A V by the people of Fiji, some in support College in Suva, Fiji. He served D A V and some not in favor. It is a sensitive College from 1969—1995. Mr. Rai taught issue as people have lived with the curMathematics to Form Seven (year 13) rent flag for forty—five years but change students. He was a popular personality in teaching profession during his teaching cafor th reer in Fiji. I had the privilege of teaching with him at D A V. Mr. Rai currently resides in Sacramento, California – USA He recently celebrated his 76 th Birthday.

‘INDIA FIJI TODAY WISHES HIM HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH’

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FIJI COMMUNITY IN AMERICA

SOUTH BAY F.C. MAKES BAY AREA PROUD AGAIN In a repeat of history, South Bay F.C. team won its second North American Soccer Cup Tournament in Surrey, Canada on September 6, 2015. Last victory, and indeed of historic proportions, was on September 2nd, 2007 when South Bay Strikers convincingly beat the Canadian team, Toronto, by 6 goals to 1 in the finals to win the elusive North American Soccer Cup. That was the first time since 2000 that an American team had laid its claims on the prestigious North American Cup. This time round, the talent filled, power packed, disciplined, and youthful South Bay team beat Calgary Tavua, one of the tournament favorites, 54 in shootout. It is noteworthy that Calgary team had former Ba Rep players and current Ba Rep Alvin Singh. It is also significant to note that this time we had some reservations about going to the tournament and put in just 2 weeks of solid preparation. Despite this, our team rose to the challenge and took the winning momentum all the way to the finals. A total of 14 teams from US and Canada participated in the grand annual tournament. While in the first round before the quarter final, South Bay FC lost its opening match to Flying Arrows of Canada, it came out firing with full determination to beat the last two opponents and thus qualified for the quarterfinal. All the games starting from quarterfinal to the final games were hard fought battles for supremacy ending in deadlock, but in each South Bay FC came out victorious through Shoot out. Credit goes to the entire team for their spectacular performance and especially to the Goal Keeper, Kevin Nishant, who not only stood like a mountain against intense pressure during the main games, but magnificently saved one penalty kick in every game. The penalty kickers of South Bay were awesome; they did not miss a single kick in 3 games. Not surprisingly, the Best Goal Keeper Award went to Kevin Nishant. Golden Boot Award went to David Tavera and South Bay’s Captain Dinesh Prasad Jr received the most valuable player of the tournament. I am proud to note that the team had six players who were less than 19 years of age, and two, the twin brothers, Damon and Neel Prasad, were only 15. Coaches were very impressed with the duo. Neel gainedprominence by scoring South Bay’s 1st goal in the semifinal within 3 minutes of the kickoff. For our victory this time, we gratefully acknowledge the contribution of our guest players.

They combined well with our other players to make a formidable team. Our players, individually and as a team, made the Bay Area proud and deserve all the praise and commendation. South Bay F.C. was coached by its long standing, competent and dedicated Coach Ismail Mohammed.

The team was also fortunate to have Mr. Gurjit Singh, the renowned and prominent soccer coach and the current Suva coach as their technical advisor. Our team has many friends and well wishers and I thank them all for their best wishes and congratulatory messages. It is a matter of great pride that the North American Cup has come back to the Bay Area yet again. Narendra Narayan—Founder 5

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IN MEMORIAM IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE PASSING AWAY OF PT.

RAJENDRA MAHARAJ OF SEASIDE, CALIFORNIA—USA HE PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014

REST IN PEACE COMPILED BY ARUN MAHARAJ—

LATE PT. RAJENDRA MAHARAJ

A COUSIN OF LATE RAJENDRA MAHARAJ

IN MEMORY OF LATCHMAN WONG SANG SEEN LEFT IN THE PICTURE— FACING THE PICTURE

LEFT TO RIGHT—LATE LATCHMAN W. SANG, ARUN MAHARAJ, JACK KHELAWAN

PICTURE TAKEN AT DILKUSHA M. HIGH SCHOOL – 2000

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LATE MR. SANG WAS ORIGINALLY FROM LABASA. HE TAUGHT AT VUNIMONO HIGH SCHOOL AND RISHIKUL COLLEGE AND LATER BECAME THE PRINCIPAL OF D A V GIRLS COLLEGE IN SUVA. UPON RETIREMENT HE SERVED AS VICE PRINCIPAL OF DILKUSHA METHODIST HIGH SCHOOL IN NAUSORI, FIJI. REMEMBERED BY ARUN MAHARAJ PUBLISHER INDIA FIJI TODAY A LONG TIME FRIEND

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FIJI COMMUNITY FLASHBACK...

Picture by the courtesy of Fiji PM Addressing...

Part of the Audience

A LOOK BACK AT 2014 IN SAN FRANCISCO USA...

The pictures were taken during Fiji PM’s visit to San Francisco USA soon after his victory in the Fiji General Election in 2014. The gathering was attended

by Fiji Community in USA.

A THOUGHT TO SHARE...

THE VALUE OF TODAY

By Arun Maharaj—Hayward, California—USA

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 toArun Maharaj morrow our precious 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 with us today, they may they be our wealth, properties and even family members, relatives and friends. Why do we think and appreciate the things 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.”

It simply means is to live today to your best, as today will never come back!

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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 FIJI’S OLD PARLIAMENT there were many other politicians HOUSE—NASESE, SUVA 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 goes away from communal voting system, it may be wise to pay tribute to the ‘politicians of the past’ whose actions and contributions may have contributed to the development and well—being of Fiji’s past.

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INDIAN CINEMA

Movie Stars Make Move to T.V. Industry ‘Indian Television Serials’ seem to be watched by the Indians and ‘people of Indian origin’ worldwide on a widely basis. There are numerous serials being telecasted on daily basis on many channels. T.V. Stars have their own identity and community different from the movie stars community and the Indian Film Industry. However, there are some artists who have been equally enagaged in both the industries, the t.v. and the film industry. The trend wihich is being seen now is, the movie stars of the recent past who may not be very actively enagaged in the film industry now, are making their way to the ‘t.v. industry’. There are stars, some of whom have been successful artists of their time and have have very popular during their active ‘film days’ are seen in t.v. serials now. It seems the t.v. industry provides a long term enagage- 1970 FILMFARE AWARD held for the films released in 1969 saw Sharmila Tagore taking ment unlike the film inaway the BEST ACTRESS award for the year. The dustry which is short award was given for her outstanding performance term based on film by in film ARADHNA. The film was also awarded the film basis. The continBEST FILM of the year award. Aradhna has the uing trend may provide great team work of Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila the viewers the opporTagore. As a popular star—pair they gave nutunity of seeing more merous other hits including, the popular- Safar and of the film artists of the Amar Prem. The BEST ACTOR award was recent past on their tv awarded to veteran actor Ashok Kumar for his role screens reminding the in film ASHIRWAD. viewers of the artists Information source—https://en.wikipedia.org/ film industry era. wiki/17th_Filmfare_Awards

FILMFARE AWARD 1970

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INDIA TODAY

S

SUNDAY IN PUNJAB

AMRITSAR PUNJAB 14

INDIA FEATURE LOOKING BACK AT THE PAST

TENNYSON HIGH SCHOOL HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA-USA—INDIA-FIJI CLUB - 2003

A VISIT TO AN ANCESTRAL VILLAGE IN INDIA - 1986—Arun Maharaj—seated middle

A VILLAGE SCENE—AYODHYA UP. INDIA—1986

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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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