AN ONLINE MAGAZINE ABOUT FIJI AND INDIA LIFESTYLES
SEPTEMBER 2016
KARISHMA DEO A CANADIAN BORN SINGER, PERFORMED IN CALGARY, CANADA WITH NOTABLE BOLLYWOOD SINGER
SUNIDHI CHAUHAN PUBLISHED & EDITED BY ARUN MAHARAJ HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA—USA 510—875 0568— indiafijitoday@gmail.com Facebook.com/Arun Maharaj
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FIJI COMMUNITY IN CANADA COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD...
KARISHMA DEO OF VANCOUVER, CANADA PERFORMED WITH NOTABLE BOLLYWOOD SINGER SUNIDHI CHAUHAN IN CANADA A Canadian born singer from Vancouver, Karishma is creating sensation by her singing talent. A student at Simon Fraser University, she is learning Indian classical singing from her guru ji—Sri Davinder Bhatti at the Krishna College of Music. Her favorite singers include Lata Mangeshkar, Shreya Ghoshal, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston. Karishma recently got the opportunity to perform at the Sunidhi Chauhan Concert in Calgary, Canada. She also performed at the Sumeet Tappoo Concert in Vancouver a few weeks ago. Her perforKARISHMA mances and songs can be DEO found on her Facebook AT A “Karishma Deo” as well as her CONCERT youtube channel “Karishma Deo YTMelody”. I had the pleasure of meeting and having a brief chat with Karishma at her residence in Surrey, Canada recently. She seemed very cheerful and obviously proud of her success of singing with Sunidhi Chauhan and excitement of performing with Sumeet Tappoo. Karishma has great values of Indian culture and tradition. She is highly respectful and simple in her nature. INDIA FIJI TODAY and personally, I wish her further success in her singing career.
PHOTO TAKEN BY ROSHNI DEO
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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 SenaARUN MAHARAJ tor 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 positions 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. He worked at Tennyson High School in Hayward, California - USA.
A PERSPECTIVE ‘an opinion only– may be accepted or not accepted by people, their own choice. Writer will not entertain any counter discussion or views on this article. It is the writer’s personal view only”
‘BEING WHAT WE ARE’ ‘What others think we are’, ‘What we think we are” and ‘What we are’ are the main factors that build our perception of our selves. Some people highly believe in what others think of them. They lead their lives on the basis of others evaluation of themselves. Some believe in what they think they are. They always have a view of themselves based on their own evaluations. In this world of materialism, the real value of things many times truth is ignored. The value of people is also many times measured in terms of wealth, name and fame whereas the true value may not be seen. Truth needs no justification as it stands by itself above everything else and therefore it is imperative that we identify our true selves. ‘What we are’ is our true self. Once we identify ourselves and believe in it, we have found the truth which no one can change and we may be able to lead a life along our own true desires which may lead us to a more peaceful and successful life. Without trying ourselves in activities, many times we think we are not capable of doing it but if we try we may be able to do better than others. ‘WHAT WE ARE’ is our true self. Arun Maharaj—Hayward California
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FIJI COMMUNITY IN CANADA COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD...
KRISHNA JANAMASTHMI CELEBRATION AT MAHA KALI TEMPLE IN VANCOUVER, CANADA IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR.. SRI KRISHN JANASTHMI was celebrated at the popular MAHA KALI TEMPLE in Vancouver, Canada recently. Devotees turned in good numbers and enjoyed the program and took benefit of the holy preaching. The temple, one of the oldest Fiji temples in Vancouver, is owned by Pujari Raj Krishnan. He has been providing great service to the Fiji Community living in Vancouver.
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A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY... THE ARTICLES ARE REVIEWS ONLY ON HAPPENINGS IN FIJI
OPENING OF JETTY IN AN OUTER ISOLATED ISLAND 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 profitable business can be conducted. Fiji has a long way to go towards development in its many remote areas in many of its resourceful islands. Source—Online Fiji Sun
YOGA IN SCHOOLS COULD HIGHLY BENEFIT CHILDREN 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 introduced in schools have a far reaching effect 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. Source—Online Fiji Times
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A LOOK AT THE PAST IN FIJI... DAV BOYS COLLEGE - SUVA INTERACT CLUB 1985... This is a scene from the 1985 DAV College, Suva INTERACT CLUB Annual Presentation Day. INTERACT CLUB is the baby club of Rotary Club and only a few schools had the privilege of having the club set up at their schools in Fiji. The clubs were the foundation ground for service clubs and were set up at secondary schools and colleges, worldwide. DAV Interact Club founded years back, took many service and charitable projects around Suva and the surroundings. The members were went through a great experience of leadership by participating in many service and leadership programs.
Right Picture— Prashila Chandra, the Principal of DAV College in Suva with Arun Maharaj – a former teacher of DAV and Publisher – India Fiji Today, at the school’s Principal’s office in Suva in 2003.
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FIJI FEATURE A UNIQUE TEMLE ON A HILL— SIDE IN RARALEVU, NAUSORI A Unique temple founded not too long ago is a fascinating site to visit. It is believed to be the site of an old and abandoned temple which existed there decades ago during the ‘indenture system.’ Newly set—up, the temple has many small statSOME CHILDREN WITH STAFF OF AN ues and small ORPHANAGE IN NASINU—FIJI temples scattered in a wide area going down and upwards many steps. It is a full pilgrimage type set—up which is extremely unique in its structure. The only temple of the nature in Fiji, is worth visiting. Tremendous satisfaction and peace is felt as it provides you an atmosphere of serenity and undisturbed nature.
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IN MEMORIAM LATE RAVINDRA MISHRA SYDNEY—AUSTRALIA Late Mr. Ravindra Mishra passed away in Sydney, Australia in August of this year. Originally from Nakelo, Nausori late Mr. Mishra was a school teacher in Fiji and taught at schools in Nausori and Suva and his last school was Deenbandhu Primary School in Suva. He resided at Laucala Beach Estate in Suva. In late 1980’s along with his wife, also a teacher, and children he migrated to Australia and settled in Sydney. Late Mr. Mishra was a very kind hearted person. Simplicity was his lifestyle. His passing away has been greatly felt by his family and friends. He leaves behind his wife, Sushila Mishra — a high school teacher in Sydney, two daughters, sons—in—law, grandchildren and relatives in Australia, Fiji and abroad. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!
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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….
Frst Filmfare Award Held in 1954 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, probSHIMLA ably one of her last movies. She passed away in her early life. Do Bigha Zamin was the 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
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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.
Chandgarh Punjab 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. 14
INDIA FEATURE
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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