A Magazine About Fiji and India Lifestyles Published in USA by Arun Maharaj
India Fiji Today
13 SEPTEMBER—20
A Cashier at a Restaurant in Nadi—Fiji at Work…...
Published & Edited by Arun Maharaj—Hayward, California—USA 510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com
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INDIA FIJI TODAY
SEPTEMBER 2013
SEPTEMBER 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—Yat Sen School in Suva Fiji— Rishikul High School in Nasinu Fiji.
haraj Arun Ma
510—875 0568—indiafijitoday@gmail.com
Rishikul College Principal, Mr. Sumer in tie, with his office staff and Arun Maharaj—a former teacher
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ollege Rishikul C i ij Nasinu, F
A n i y t i n u Fiji Comm Volume 1, Issue 1
A REUNION
OF SOME FORMER FIJI T EACHERS AND F ORMER F IJI J AYCESS MEMBERS IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Fiji community has vastly spread in various parts of the world. Australia possibly has the largest settlement of former Fijians. The migration system allows only professionals and in recent times trade specialists to settle in Australia. A lot of former Fiji high school teachers along with other professionals from Fiji have made Australia their home. Studying hard in Fiji and earning professional degrees in various fields made their way to migration. It obviously has been a long journey of academic work which earned them citizenship status there. Australia has the highest number of professionals from Fiji to settle there. Some former Fiji teachers settled in Sydney, some of whom are former senior Fiji Jaycees officials held a reunion at Mr. Indar Nair’s residence in Sydney. Mr. Nair is a teacher in Sydney and a former principal of Saraswati College in Fiji. The reunion was held while India Fiji Today publisher/ editor Arun Maharaj of L-R—Mrs. Lal—Former Teacher- Fiji, Mrs.Singh— USA, a former teacher in Former Teacher- Fiji, Mrs. Nair—Former Teacher- Fiji, Fiji was visiting friends in Mrs. Prasad—Former Teacher- Fiji Sydney recently. 2
Australia...
L- R—Dhiren Prasad—Former School Principal-Fiji, Rajesh Chandra— Former School Vice Principal - Fiji / Past President Fiji Jaycees, Indar Nair—Former School Principal –Fiji / Past President Fiji Jaycees, Dhani Lal—Former School Principal– Fiji / Past President Fiji Jaycees, Arun Maharaj—Publisher/ Editor – India Fiji Today—Former Teacher – Fiji / Past President Fiji Jaycees, Sarjesh Singh—Former Teacher- Fiji, Jagdish Singh—Former School Vice Principal-Fiji / Past President Fiji Jaycees
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PRASHILA CHANDRA D . A . V. C O L L E G E S U VA — P R I N C I PA L Prashila Chandra, the Principal of DAV College in Suva with Arun Maharaj – Publisher – India Fiji Today, at the school’s Principal’s office in Suva recently. Mr. Maharaj is a former teacher of DAV College and it was a proud moment for him to meet Ms. Chandra , who is his former student. 5
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m a i r o m e E R U InFIM T JI FEA
Volume 1, Issue 1
LATE PREM CHAND SHARMA
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ONE YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE YOU LEFT
In Loving Memory of Prem Chand Sharma Who Was Called to Rest on September 7, 2012 Fondly Remembered by His Family, Relatives & Friends ‘Inserted by the courtesy of ‘India Fiji Today’—publisher for his beloved brother’
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editorial C HANGE F ROM A IR P ACIFIC T O FIJI AIRWAYS…. The name Air Pacific becomes hisIndia Fiji Today tory as the airline officially changes Publisher & Editor its name to Fiji Airways. In a bid to promote Fiji to the international travArun Maharaj elers the name Fiji associated with Hayward, California the airline may sell better. The name 510 : 875 0568 indiafijitoday@gmail.com Air Pacific has been in use since and saw the airline grow from Sacramento Correspondent 1971 domestic to international carrier. The Kristeen Prakash name Fiji Airways seems to be new Contributing Writer Jai P. Narayan but the airline carried that since its Correspondents inception in 1951 and continued with Mahesh Bharadwaj the name till 1971 when it changed Delhi, India to Air Pacific. Along with name Indar Nair change the shift from using Boeing Sydney, Australia 747 aircraft on its Los Angeles flight Subhash Chandra Auckland, New Zealand to using the Airbus will also be new. Indar Mudaliar Toronto, Canada
M H Food Hall in Central Suva 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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. . . t h g i l h g i H i Fij H I B I S C U S F E S T I VA L TIME AGAIN... It is Hibiscus Festival time in Suva again. The contestants who form the major focus of the festival obviously are excited about their victory. The stall holders who make their earnings through sales of food items wait anxiously at this time of the year where they make their bumper sales. The city of Suva brightens up with decorations of all sorts. The night activities during the festival glorifies the city. There are also lots of visitors from other parts of the country who come to Suva to take part in Fiji’s most popular festival. 11
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. . . k c a b h s a l F i j Fi Taking a Journey Back to THE DAYS OF COMMUNITY BASED LIVING IN FIJI ‘‘There was a time when children in a community in Fiji would respect the elders in the community as they would their parents and the elders would guide them as they would their own children.’’ The community based lifestyle had nothing but advantages that are not seen these days particularly here in America. The concept of nuclear and individual lifestyle has set in so much in some
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cases that it has distanced people from their very own. Community based living in Fiji had the joy of living together as one large family. The warmth and protection it provided molded children in to responsible adults. The satisfaction of being respected by the children gave the elders confidence in their community to play the leadership roles in their communities.
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Fiji Feature Orphanages and Care Homes ‘Providing Service to Humanity’ Living your life for the happiness and wellbeing 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, Some Children with Staff of ‘Saint Christopher’s Home’ particularly chilin Nasinu Recently dren 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.’
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I N D I A T R AV E L
CHANDIGARH THE MODERN CITY
Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Hariyana is a highly modern city. It seems like you are visiting a Western city. Punjab being one of the most prosperous states of India shows its rich lifestyle in Chandigarh. The picture shows the modern lifestyle of the people.
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a i d n I f o s n o i t a t Hill S
Volume 1, Issue 1
MUSSOORIE UTTRAKHAND
Masoori is a hill station in the state of Uttarkhand. It is close to the state capital of Dehradun in Northern India. Situated at the foot of Himalyas the Hill Station city is highl y magnificent at a height of around 6 , 0 0 0 f e e t . Snow fall Shimla makes it a site to witn e s s . During summer people make a trip to the hill—station to cool off and get away from the harsh summer of India. Tourists and locals visit the site on regular basis.
India Today
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INDIAN FILM WORLD THE PASSING AWAY OF V ETERAN A CTOR P RAN 2012
THE END OF AN ERA... Everything and life has to end one day. The life of Pran has been a complete one having lived up to 93 years. Having acted in numerous films he was a household name in India, Fiji and abroad, wherever Indian film lovers lived. He was probably the most feared villain ever to appear in Indian Film Industry. During his peak days of Villainous roles in films such as ’Ram aur Shyam’, ‘Do Badan’ and many others, his appearance on the screen changed the mood of the audience as they expected Pran’s home in Mumbai, as told by a taxi driver... some trouble to happen on the screen. Later on he played STARother INFORMATION character roles which have been extremely mature and noble roles.
STAR’S INFORMATION Madhubala was one of the most beautiful actresses of her time. She died in 1969, at the peak of her career at the age of 36 years. Source—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhubala
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s e r u t c i P n i Fiji
S U VA M A R K E T
A L A N D M A R K O F S U VA Busy as usual the market has a community of its own. The market vendors who sell their produce there daily have a community of their own. There are many regular customers who buy vegetables and other produce from there on regular basis. The market has an atmosphere of greenery and relaxation where people seem to take their time to do business.
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s e r u t c i P n i i Fij
N AV UA C L U B A POPULAR SITE
l e v a r T India
A landmark of Navua Town, the club has been there for decades. Not much activity during the day but the afternoon lights up the club with its regular clients and visitors. The club has had some prominent Navua residents among its members in the past. It had an honor attached to the membership. The club stands there serving the members of today, some of whom may be new residents to the lone town.
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s e r u t c i P n i Fiji A RURAL SCENE IN BA A L ON E LY S IT E
A site to relax just by dropping by even for a short time. The loneliness of the site portrays the freshness of the environment and the peace that is prevailing there. There has been ongoing debate on life in towns and villages. The picture might provide some solution to the conflicts in our minds about lives in towns and villages.
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s e r u t c i P n i Fiji D ENARAU I SLAND A PLACE
WITH A
DIFFERENCE
Fiji, the paradise of the Pacific has been rightly said. The many islands surrounding the major islands make Fiji a magnificent destination for tourism. Denarau Island, made for tourism is truly serving its demand. The influx of tourists shows the popularity of the island, not too far from Fiji’s Gateway, the Nadi International Airport.
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s e r u t c i P n i i Fij M AYA’ S C OMFORT I NN N A D I B A C K R OAD The hotel, next to Hotel San Bruno is a popular hotel in Nadi. It is situated on the Nadi Back Road just minutes walk from Nadi Town. Being close to Nadi International Airport, it is a convenient place to place to stay.
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Fiji Today G ROUNDING OF A V U S N I S E S S U B
important n a is ss e n si u b n tio a rt o Transp fety and sa e th ith w ls a e d h ic h w ss e busin are many re e h T . lic b u p l ra e n e g e th f life o ous ri va e th in g tin ra e p o s xi ta busses and The . g in d n u o rr su d n a ty ci e parts of th s is ck e ch ty fe sa r fo f o s se u b f o grounding nsport a tr e th y b n ke ta p e st ry a a necess have to m e se re e th tly n ce e R s. authoritie which e fir d te la re s u b in se a e cr in been an imperais It l. ta fa n e e b s a h s se ca e in som in sound e b rt o sp n a tr lic b u p e th t a tive th ty. condition for the public’s safe 27
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Fiji Today OF THE S M R A F D O O W L A SAND
BURNING
la d n a s f o g in rm fa s u io The prestig en a e b s a h u v le a u n a V a u B wood in g in rm fa e h T . ry to is h i’s ij F f major part o decle a c s ig b n o te ra e p o to ceased e th s m e e s it r, e v e w o H . ades back effort e th h it w d e iv v re g in e b is farming xe n a ly d a S . rs u e n re p e tr n of some e e d n e e b e v a h to m e isting farm se the t u p t a th re fi e rc e fi y stroyed b u o th f o s d re d n u h f o s farmer in los sands of dollars.
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Fiji Today E S U O H A M E NEW CIN N W O T N R E T S FOR WE om
fr s e tr a e th ie v o m f o e c The disappearan ns with w to e th ft le e v a h s n most of Fiji’s tow ouses h a m e in c t n e rr u c e h less activities. T nt ie ic ff u s m e e s t o n o d in Suva and Lautoka tion of c u d o tr in e h T . rs e o g for the cinema ie v o m r fo d e e n e th ff o home movies called e in c r fo d n a m e d e h T theatres years ago. the h it w i d a N in t e m e b ma houses seem to tcha W . a m e in c x le ip lt u construction of a m ntere n a is s e s u o h a m e ing movies in cin el long v a tr le p o e p f o t lo a s taining activity a movh tc a w to a v u S to l e v distances to tra ies. 30
Fiji Today NTS E R A P F O G N I N O I T S QUE IN CHILD ACCIDENT task in to n ke ta re a rs ve ri d e th s e tim Many seems a It . n re ild ch g in lv vo in ts n e accid f an accio ts n re a p e th re e h w d n e tr new on their d e n io st e u q e b y a m im ct vi t den ild. There ch ir e th s rd a w to ce n e lig g ne ing lv vo in ts n e id cc a y n a m o to have been ave h ld u co ts n re a p e th re e h children w ocent n In . n re ild ch ir e th to ty fe sa provided negliir e th to e u d n ke ta n e e b ve lives ha arents p ss le re ca to s e lti a n e p t ic tr S gence. nocent in e th f o ty fe sa e th in lt su may re nts for re a p ir e th n o d n e p e d o h w n childre their safety.
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Fiji Today R E H T A E W D L O C I J I F N I D E C N E I R EXPE
c n e ri e p x e e b to s m e e s i At this time Fij larly u ic rt a p r, e th a e w l o o c l u rf ing wonde x e y ll ra e n e g i ij F . n io is iv D in the Central e th f o t s o m r e th a e w rm a w perienced ate m li c to e u d rs a e y t n e c re year in Suva e th in in ra t n ta s n o c e h T changes. rtfo m o c d n a r le o o c n e v e it area makes the in d e c n e ri e p x e is r te in w able. As a e Z w e N d n a a li a tr s u A neighboring year e th f o d o ri e p r le o o c e th land, it is te. a m li c l a ic p o tr s a h it s a i ij for F
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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 Rabuka—1987– 1999—Mahendra Chaudhary—1999-2000—Laisenia Qarase— 2000-2006—Frank Bainimarama—2006 to date
Capital—Suva Fiji’s Population—About 800,000 34
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India Fiji Today Online Magazine Advertising for— Business -Anniversaries for Birthdays and Marriages... Call the publisher Arun Maharaj 510—875 0568 indiafijtoday@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 Flashback 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
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