Cover Picture
CANE CARTING AT BA SUGAR MILL– FIJI
HELICOPTER RIDE FOR FIJI’S FESTIVAL...
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 ABROAD COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD...
AN EVENING IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA An evening devoted towards GURUS and SAINTS was held in Liverpool, Sydney recently. The program was organized by Hindu Heritage Society of Sydney. Seen in the picture are l - r renowned Kirtan and Gazal singer, Indar Nair, a teacher in Sydney with Pundit Narayan Bhatt Shastri Ji and Pundit Jagdish Maharaj, extreme right. The organization organizes other Hindu religious programs in Sydney. Pt Narayan Bhatt Shastri Ji is the President of the organization and Pundit Jagdish Maharaj is the Secretary of the organization. They both are well—known Hindu priests in Sydney and its suburb.
PUBLISHER’S PROFILE
Arun Maharaj Publisher / Editor
Past Co—Chairman California Business Advisory Council California Jaycees and Jaycees International Senator Past National President Fiji Jaycees Former School Teacher, Fiji
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FIJI TODAY A REVIEW ONLY
HELICOPTER RIDE DURING SUGAR FESTIVAL—AN ADDED ENTERTAINMENT It is festival time in Fiji now, as Hibiscus Festival in Suva just got over in August and the big western festival, Sugar Festival is believed to be scheduled for this month. Festivals in Fiji have been providing entertainment and collecting funds for charity, in some cases for a long time. Sugar Festival has been a big event for the residents of western Fiji for many years. It is believed this year, helicopter ride has been added for the entertainment of the public. This should bring about lots of excitement in the public. Sugar Festival was started by Lautoka Jaycees in 1961 and has come a long way in entertaining the people of Lautoka and the Western Fiji as a whole. In 1980, it is believed the festival was handed over to a committee made up of independent people. It is probably the second most popular festival in the country, after Suva’s Hibiscus Festival. Source—Fiji Times, August, 31—2015
HIBISCUS FESTIVAL 2015 IN PROGRESS IN SUVA...
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In the left picture Amita Prasad of Nasinu is seen with her family and friends and in the right picture Karishma Prasad of Nasinu is seen with her mum and children at the Hibiscus Festival 2015 in Suva.
FIJI TODAY
SAVING A SPECIAL VARIETY OF REED FROM EXTINCTION
PEOPLE This column recognizes former and current ‘Fiji people’. It also introduces them to the ‘present day’ Fiji community in Fiji and particularly to the vast Fiji Community which is living out of Fiji.
Fiji had many plants of different varieties growing naturally in many parts of the country. One such plant is a special type of reed growing in Vanualevu, used for mat making. It is believed the plant is decreasing in growth, and efforts are being made to save it from the loss. There have been other plants that have suffered the loss of growth. One such plant is guava, which was in abundance in the Central Division but is not much seen now. Climate changes and changes to FIJI FLAG land could be NEW the contributing factors of A contest for new Fiji Flag design seems the loss. to beTimes, in place now in Fiji for the people to Source—Fiji September, 1—2015 participate. Fiji flag has been in place since independence, forty—five years DEMAND FOR FRUITS ago. Wherever the flag is seen or raised AND theVEGETABLES Fiji citizens around the FOR globe give it respect. There seems to a plan by the EXPROT FROM FIJI government to replace the flag. The Fiji’s tropical climate it highly thoughts of themakes government is suitrelated to able for of in fruits and the vegetatheproduction present time Fiji and relevance DHANI LAL bles ofofhigh exports andseems the quality. flag to Fiji today’s Fiji. fruits There vegetables Australia, Zealandpresented and Mr. Lal is a former Principal of Rishikul to betoboth sides New of thoughts USA. The shortage of the in fruits by the peopleofofsupply Fiji, some support Sanatan College, Nasinu, Fiji. He has and vegetables and some to notthe in overseas favor. It ismarket a sensitive been an active unionist with Fiji Teachers’ could issue be attributed lack lived of farming. as peopletohave with the Union. curOriginally from Rakiraki, he Many farmers, their families in recent rent flag with for forty—five years but change spent many years residing in Nasinu. Mr. years, for seem to have relocated to urban Lal has been a Past National President th centers, particularly the Central Division of Fiji Jaycees and Jaycees Internaand engaged in workforce away from the tional Vice President and Senator. Mr. farming life. Fiji’s vast land mass could be Lal is a retired teacher from Sydney put to great use of production of vegeta- where he resides with his family. bles and fruits. ‘INDIA FIJI TODAY’ WISHES HIM Source—Fiji Village, September, 9—2015 HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH’ 3
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FIJI COMMUNITY ABROAD COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD...
KARISHMA DEO OF VANCOUVER, CANADA SINGS FIJIAN AND CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM DURING FIJI PM’S VISIT TO CANADA In August, 2015, the Fiji Prime Minister Mr. Frank Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama visited Vancouver, Canada to participate in the Fiji Day celebrations hosted by the Fijian community in Vancouver. During his visit, he attended the Surrey Board of Trade economic opportunities meeting. Karishma Deo was invited to sing the Fijian National Anthem at the Surrey Board of Trade Meeting, as well as the Fijian and Canadian national Karishma Singing Fiji/Canada National Anthem anthems at the FiDuring Fiji PM’s Visit to Vancouver ji Prime Minister’s farewell function. Karishma Deo is a good upcoming singer, she has recorded her songs and uploaded online. With the support of her parents Harvindra and Roshni Babita Deo and her family she should become a well - known singer in the near future. She has earlier appeared on the cover of this magazine in an exclusive write - up about her singing accomplishments and her passion for singing. ‘INDIA FIJI TODAY’ WISHES HER FURTHER SUCCESS IN MUSIC CAREER!
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FIJI FEATURE A TRIBUTE TO ANIRUDH DIWAKAR A SCHOOL MATE AND CLOSE FRIEND LEFT FOR ETERNITY ON AUGUST 25, 2011—4 YEARS AGO Anirudh Diwakar was the Programs Director of Communications Fiji Ltd’s Hindi StationRadio Sargam. Having joined Fiji Broadcasting Corporation soon after his high school in 1972, he made his way to probably, the most likeable and popular Hindi announcers Fiji has ever seen. His name was synonymous to ‘entertaining radio programs’. Anirudh, as we called him was a very jovial and happy minded person, full of humor. His picture shows his jolly character. His voice on the radio in Fiji and abroad through online, had made people so much used to listening to him on regular basis and his sudden passing had left his radio fans and friends in distraught. I knew Anirudh from my school days and our contact remained even when he became an announcer. I remember listening to his programs on regular basis and there were occasions when he would call me for live radio interviews, in his program, a few hours before the program started, about my inLATE ANIRUDH DIWAKAR volvement in many community projects in Nasinu and Fiji at large as a member of Jaycees. Anirudh was a versatile announcer full of entertaining programs. His friends and colleagues, including Thakur Ranjit Singh of Auckland, New Zealand and Pt. Hemant Vimal Shrama of Melbourne, Australia remember him today on his 4th death anniversary. It was yesterday in Fiji, New Zealand and Australia! MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE FOREVER! HIS PICTURE AND SOME INFORMATION IS PROVIDED WITH THE COURTESY OF THAKUR RANJIT SINGH OF AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND—I SHOW MY GRATITUDE TO MR. SINGH !
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FIJI FLASHBACK A LOOK BACK AT 2013 IN SYDNEY
l—r Dhirendra Prasad, Rajesh Chandra, Indar Nair, Dhani Lal, Arun Maharaj, Sarjesh Singh, late Jagdish Singh
This picture was taken at Mr. Indar Nair’s residence in Sydney, Australia during a gathering of former Fiji teachers and Jaycees Members.
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 tomorrow 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 Arun Maharaj 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! 9
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A LOOK AT FIJI’S PAST TAKING A JOURNEY BACK TO THE….
DAYS OF ACTIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN FIJI IN 1980’S Fiji was blessed with many voluntary, service and leadership organizations in the days prior to the late eighties political happenings in Fiji. The eighties, I well remember, was a period in Fiji, full of social activities and projects carried out by various voluntary organizations. The Lions Club, Rotary Club, Apex Club, the Jaycees organization were all highly active and involved in the community activities by Fiji Jaycees ‘presidential chain’ being put on Indar Nair— which the Fiji community 1988 National President—Fiji Jaycees by past National gained a lot in terms of the Presidents of Fiji Jaycees– Joel Sahai, late Shiu Ram, services provided. The Dhani Lal and Arun Maharaj— Looking back at 1988! various festivals around the country, many of which were hosted by the Jaycees created an atmosphere of camaraderie among the community. The urban and rural areas alike benefited from the various social and community activities that were carried out. Scholarships and helping out the needy to live normal lives, medical assistance and many other humanitarian assistance were the works of these organizations. The members of these organizations went out sacrificing their leisure time, in the evenings and the weekends carrying out community projects to make the lives of the needy people comfortable and further develop the community around the country with their assistance. The Jaycees organization provided lots of leadership and personal development projects in the schools and the community at large apart from the physical community service that they carried out.. It is said, ‘We all live for ourselves but there are some who also live for others.’ Having been actively involved in Jaycees and being its National President in 1986, put me in a position where I could gauge the strength of these voluntary organizations and the benefits they provided to the needy people of Fiji in the eighties. 11
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INDIAN CINEMA A FILM PROFILE
‘AAO WISH KAREIN’ R ELE ASED IN 2 0 0 9 PRODUCED BY AFTAB SHIVDASANI CAST OF THE MOVIE—LEAD ROLES—AFTAB SHIVDASANI AND AAMNA SHARIFF WITH RATI AGNIHOTRI AND JOHNY LEVER AND OTHERS... The film takes you to a journey of fantasy world, where Aftab Shivdasani, a child gets obsessed with a beautiful grown up girl, Aamna Shariff . He leaves his home and makes a wish to win the girl. He meets a man, Johnny Lever, who has the power to make people’s wish come true and Aftab Shivdasani becomes a handsome young man when he wakes up one day. He meets the girl, Aamna Sharif and they fall in love. It is on the night of their wedding that the boy loses his power of being an adult and turns into a child again. The girl is distressed with the boy’s, not turning up for the marriage. She later finds about the truth about her lover and makes a wish to become a child so she can be equal match to her lover and Johnny Lever once again appears and her wish comes true too and she 1970 FILMFARE AWARD held for the films released in 1969 saw Sharmila Tagore taking becomes a child. They both grow up together and away the BEST ACTRESS award for the year. The finally get married. A peraward was given for her outstanding performance fect fantasy that seems rein film ARADHNA. The film was also awarded the al while Aftab Shivdasani BEST FILM of the year award. Aradhna has the and Aamna Sharif perform great team work of Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila on the silver screen. An Tagore. As a popular star—pair they gave nuemonationallly entertaining merous other hits including, the popular- Safar and film that takes you for an Amar Prem. The BEST ACTOR award was exciting journey to a fantaawarded to veteran actor Ashok Kumar for his role sy world. - Compiled by
FILMFARE AWARD 1970
in film ASHIRWAD.
Arun Maharaj Information Source—https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Aao_Wish_Karein—http:// www.imdb.com/title/tt1538210/ plotsummary
Information source—https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/17th_Filmfare_Awards
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INDIA TODAY
S
SUNDAY IN PUNJAB
AMRITSAR PUNJAB 14
INDIA TODAY
SHIMLA HIMACHAL PRADESH
JUHU BEACH MUMBAI 15
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INDIA FEATURE
BUS ENROUTE TO SHIMLA IN THE NORTHERN INDIA THIS IS A SCENE ON THE WINDING ROAD LEADING TO SHIMLA. THE CROWDED BUS IS ABOUT TO CLIMB A HIILY ROAD WITH PEOPLE EVEN SITTING ON THE ROOF TOP. SHIMLA IS THE CAPITAL OF HIMACHAL PRADESH IN THE NORTHERN INDIA . THE CITY IS SITUATED ON HIGH LOCATION MAKING IT A FAVORITE SPOT TO VISIT IN THE SUMMER, TO COOL OFF FROM THE HEAT OF THE SEASON. THE WINTER BRINGS SNOW, A WONDERFUL SITE SUITABLE FOR FILM SHOOTINGS. THE FULLY LOADED BUS SCENE IS SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TOO. ACCIDENTS ON THE HIILY, WINDING ROAD IS NOT VERY COMMON AS THIS IS THEIR DAILY ACTIVITY.
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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 view 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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