Fiji news

FOCUS ON FIJI labasa Cane Cutter, tea Boy-turned lawyer tells

Jitendra Reddy has finally opened an office in Labasa to cater for the high demand for his legal services. The office, opened on Wednesday, has four staff members and is located on the first floor of Bhadur Ali Building in the main street of Labasa Town.

JiTenDrA Reddy has finally opened an office in Labasa to cater for the high demand for his legal services.

The office, opened on Wednesday, has four staff members and is located on the first floor of Bhadur Ali Building in the main street of Labasa Town.

For Mr Reddy, opening office was leaning giving back to his community.

He is from Qelewaqa, Labasa.

The father of two thanked his wife, Nazmeen Reddy, for being his pillar of strength and for encouraging him to open the office.

But Mr Reddy’s hasn’t always been the man in the suit you see today.

When he was 11 years old, he was cutting cane and then at the age of 18 he worked as a tea boy and messenger of Suva High Court.

The opportunity opened up when he was given a scholarship by the Government to study law.

He worked voluntarily for various law firms such as Patel Sharma Lawyers and Ram Chand Lawyers.

Towards the end of his Bachelor of Law he worked for Reddy Nandan Lawyers as a clerk and eventually became the man he is today.

In 2016, he opened his first office in Nakasi and then in Ba in 2019 which he has recently converted into a visiting office.

Even while he was in Labasa, he used to get calls from his clients there prompting him to travel fre–quently attend to their cases.

SeCreT To SUCCeSS

And while he is at level of success, he said often provided pro-bono services to the point where people would knock on his door seeking justice.

“I understand the economic situation of Northern Division and for over the past few years I have served various clients,” Mr Reddy said.

“My office will be in operation for six days and anyone who needs my service can visit or call me.”

Buy a Pink-Branded rami sami egg Pack to support the Cause

Ram Sami & Sons (Fiji) Pte Ltd has yet again showed its commitment towards the Pinktober and Movember campaigns this year. This time with the innovative, pink-branded egg pack.

rAM Sami & Sons (Fiji) Pte Ltd has yet again showed its commitment towards the Pinktober and Movember campaigns this year.

This time with the innovative, pink-branded egg pack.

For the sale of every pack, consumers would be contributing towards Fiji Cancer Society’s Pinktober and Movember campaigns.

This was announced during the partnership campaign launched by Rami Sami & Sons and Fiji Cancer Society on Friday.

The specially-branded packs are now available in the market.

At the company’s Wallson factory, the director, Prashneel Goundar, said it was a great honour to be part of such a noble campaign.

He acknowledged Fiji Cancer Society for the tremendous job to support the community.

Ram Sami Group marked October and November as one of the important months to contribute towards its corporate social responsibility programme.

“We have been partnering with associate stakeholders previously in this noble campaign and will continue to do the same,” he said.

“The pack has been redesigned with pink background.

“I urge the nation to be part of this campaign and let’s make a difference in someone’s life Fiji.”

Fiji Cancer Society chief executive officer, Belinda Chen, said they are humbled by the support.

“At Fiji Cancer Society we work to raise awareness, improve cancer prevention, provide support to cancer patients and provide an active survivorship,” she said.

Of the 1294 cancer patients recorded by the society from 2018 to date, breast cancer was seen as still the leading number of cancer type of 434 cases with 71 registered this year.

us Commits us$800m

The United States of America has committed more than USD800 million (about FJ$1.83 billion)) to the Pacific region. This was announced to Pacific Island leaders present at the historic US Pacific Island Country Summit which concluded in Washington DC on September 29.

THe United States of America has committed more than USD800 million (about FJ$1.83 billion)) to the Pacific region.

This was announced to Pacific Island leaders present at the historic US Pacific Island Country Summit which concluded in Washington DC on September 29.

US President Joe Biden had also made additional commitments, launching its Partnership strategy with the region, the first national US strategy for Pacific Islands.

President Biden said this was a key component to their broader Indo Pacific strategy.

Part of the announcement by President Biden was the appointment of a first ever U.S. envoy to the regional Pacific Islands Forum and the re-establishment of a USAID mission in Suva by September 2023.

He said the new U.S. assistance was aimed at ensuring an Indo Pacific region that was free and open, one that is stable and prosperous, resilient and secure.

ASSiSTAnCe

President Biden announced more than $110million in expanded US programs to improve the lives of Pacific Islanders.

“Which includes more than $130million in new investments to support climate resilience and build sustainable blue economies in the Pacific Islands, prepare for climate impacts on public health and food security, and to strengthen sustainable development and also to build better early warning capacity to predict, prepare for and respond to climate hazards.

“This is going to build on approximately $375million in climate programs currently having the region. We’re also taking several important diplomatic steps.

“We have been looking forward to this for a long time.”

The meeting also discussed the launch of a new trade and investment dialogue with the Pacific Island nations that would enhance maritime security, and provide up to $3.5 million over five years to improve the region’s internet connectivity and to support cyber security.

CoMMiTMenT

President Biden said the US was committed to working together with the region to equitably rebuild the global economy in the wake of COVID-19 and Russia’s war.

He said security in the Pacific and for the Pacific Islanders remains as critical as ever to the US.

“So this summit is also about deepening our enduring commitment to each other and our shared future.

“Our commitment to tackling the climate crisis which threatens all of us, we’re seeing the consequenc–es of climate change around the world very vividly, including in the United States right now.

“And I know your nations feel as acutely and for you all, it’s an existential threat, an existential threat.”

gold medalist raj grateful to Fnu

fiJi National University (FNU) gold medalist Bryce Rajat Raj expressed gratitude to the university for providing him with the opportunity to explore and excel in his field of interest.

The 34-year-old was among 541 students who graduated from the College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST) and the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) during the university’s second graduation ceremony in Suva on Friday.

Originally from Labasa, Raj was one of three gold medalists and was honoured with a gold medal in Automotive Engineering for Heavy Vehicle from CEST. “I would like to thank FNU be–cause when I decided to study, they allowed me to, and I am grateful because I felt that my age would mean I did not qualify. I was an accounting and economics student in secondary school and then I later became interested in automobiles,” Raj said. 44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, October, 2022

“Despite my background in ac–counting and economics, I am still able to pursue studies aligned to my passion all the way through to a Level Four Certificate in Auto–motive Engineering (Heavy Com–mercial Vehicle).”

FNU Chancellor, Ms Tessa Price added that graduation was one of the most anticipated events of the year for any learning institution.

“After two years of cancelled ceremonies due to COVID-19 and livelihoods of our Pacific communities.

“As the national institution, FNU must play a key role in being the catalyst for change, and with the continued support of the Fijian Government and the FNU Council, we will continue to help improve living conditions, assist many to achieve their academic aspirations, and take tertiary edu–cation in the country to greater heights,” she said.

A total of 1734 students will graduate from FNU during its September graduation ceremonies.