AN ONLINE MAGAZINE ABOUT FIJI AND INDIA LIFESTYLES PUBLISHED IN USA V o l um e 1 , I s s ue 1
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M AY 2 0 1 7
F I J I T O D AY PADMANI SHARMA -
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A FORMER OHIO MILITARYPOLICE AND CORRECTIONS OFFICER LIVING IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - USA
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ARUN MAHARAJ PUBLISHER & EDITOR—INDIA FIJI TODAY PAST HONORARY CO - CHAIRMAN OF BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND IN THAT CAPACITY WAS INVITED TO THE UNITED STATES ANNUAL PRESIDENT’S DINNER IN WASHINGTON D.C. IN 2003 DURING PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH’S PRESIDENCY.
ATTENDED JAPAN JAYCEES YOUTH VOYAGE IN JAPAN IN 1983 - FIJI DELEGATE TO JAYCEES WORLD CONGRESS IN NAGOYA, JAPAN IN 1986 ARUN MAHARAJ PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT FIJI JAYCEESJAYCEES INTERNATIONAL SENATOR FORMER ADVISOR FIJI FESTIVAL USA FORMER DIRECTOR NASINU FESTIVAL, FIJI PAST PRESIDENT NASINU JAYCEES - FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER IN FIJI RETIRED PARA EDUCATOR TENNYSON HIGH SCHOOL, HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA—USA
INDIA FLASHBACK
A VISIT TO Volume Issue Newsletter DateHIGH THE FIJI COMMISSION NEW DELHI, INDIA A VISIT TO THE FIJI HIGH COMMISSION IN NEW DELHI, INDIA IN 2010 WAS AN EXPERIENCE TO SHARE. MEETING THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WAS A MOMENT OF PRIDE AS THE FIJI HIGH COMMISSION WAS SITUATED AMONG THE OTHER HIGH COMMISSIONS OF THE WORLD.
ARUN MAHARAJ– PUBLISHER—INDIA FIJI TODAY AT THE FIJI HIGH COMMISSION IN NEW DELHI - INDIA IN 2010 1
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FIJI COMMUNITY ABROAD
COMMUNITY NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING Volume Issue ABROAD... Newsletter Date
DAV BOYS COLLEGE— SUVA, FIJI REUNION IN SYDNEY A reunion of DAV Boys College -Suva, ex students and teachers was organized in Sydney, Australia last year in August. The event was organized by PART OF THE PARTICIPANTS Vinal Singh, Sanjesh AT THE EVENT Nand, Mohan Reddy, Laleen Shankar and Monika Singh. The reunion was organized for the ex—students/teachers from 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and was attended by around 150 people. As a former teacher of DAV, I was invited but could not attend. Among the former teachers who attended were Mrs. Kant and Mrs. Nirbha Ram. Few other former teachers also attended. It was the first reunion of former DAV Boys College – Suva students and teachers held in Sydney in 30 years. The event according to Vinal Singh was a total success, all enjoyed and had a great night socializing and recalling the DAV days. Information/picture provide by Vinal Singh –Sydney
DAV COLLEGE-BA, FIJI – FORMER STUDENTS AND TEACHER MEET IN SYDNEY RECENTLY Some former students and a teacher of DAV College, Ba met in Sydney recently during a social function. Ex students from l-r: Param Sivan, Jai Ram(ex DAV teacher, now a Barrister & Solicitor in Sydney), Pratap Chand and Indar Nair. 3
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FIJI FEATURE KAVA PRICE HIKE IN FIJI AND ABROAD Kava is a national drink of Fiji and has been consumed by its people from the early days. Traditionally it’s a drink pf the natives but all Fiji residents have acquired its taste and is consumed by all people. of Fiji. Kava also called YagoAMI CHAND—A FORMER AMERICAN RESIDENT na is heaviENJOYING KAVA IN A KAVA SALON IN NAVUA TOWN –FIJI ly consumed in Fiji on daily basis either by individuals or by groups of people. During weekends there are casual sittings of groups of people. Reportedly the cost of Kava has increased recently in Fiji due to probably the cyclone which hit Fiji last year damaging the crop in the farms. According to Surend Prasad, a Nasinu resident, the price hike has hit hard and some people have to control on the consumption of Kava and leave it to weekends only. The price increase in Fiji has affected the Kava lovers living abroad too. The drink which is popular in Fiji and other Pacific Island nations has magically found its way in the homes of the Fiji community abroad. In the Fiji Community in America, the drink is regularly consumed and the price hike is a common talk during Kava sittings. Likewise in Canada, Australia and New Zealand the drink is very popular in the Fiji Community. 5
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PEOPLE IN FIJI COMMUNITY —
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PADMANI SHARMA-LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA-USA A FORMER OHIO MILITARY/POLICE AND CORRECTIONS OFFICER Padmani Sharma was born in Sigatoka, Fiji and had her primary and secondary education at Sigatoka Methodist Primary School and Sigatoka Methodist College. After her high school education she attended and completed her Form 7 Bursary exam in Auckland, New Zealand. Along with her parents Mr. Mukesh Dutt Sharma and Mrs. Anjani Lata Sharma, who migrated to USA through the Green Card Lottery Program, she came to USA and settled in Springfield, Ohio in 2008. After completing her college education, Padmani served in USA as a Marine Corp where she gained from perspectives of many leaders. In 2014 she graduated from service with military degree and honorary discharge. Most of her marine training was completed in Palm Springs California. Her Marines active duty postings included Okinawa, Japan. After graduating from military she joined Clark State PoPADMANI AS A lice Academy then joined Ohio Police Administration CORRECTIONS where she served civilians with much pride. She then OFFICER went forward working as Corrections Officer. Padmani has a lot of notable achievements, some of which are— Military Recognition, Police Academy and Sherrif’s Recognition, Veteran Status upon honorary discharge, also gained Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Currently she is in process of completing Masters in Health Administration under the Veteran Affairs GI/post bill. She is proud to have the support of her loving and caring parents. She married Dr Pranil Chand ( DBA, MBA, BS Accounting, BS Computer Science—Fiji, Teacher Training TTC—Fiji) of Los Angeles, California and moved there to settle late last year. Padmani is proud or her husband for his caring and support. She is also proud of the support of her in—laws. As a pet lover, she has a male pet dog, Leo, who is a Pekingese. The greatest achievement of Padmani’s life is yet to come as she is expecting their fist baby who is due to arrive in September. She is eagerly waiting for the day when she becomes a mother. INDIA FIJI TODAY congratulates her and her husband on the success of becoming parents in near future. With so much achievement in life and particularly in the USA Military and Police, Padmani is an examplary character and should be an inspiration to many, particularly Fiji migrants to America. She lives happily with her husband and his family in Los Angeles. I thank her for the support and cooperation she gave me while interviewing PADMANI her. AS A BRIDE 7
A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY A LOOK AT RARAWAI SUGAR MILL - BA THIS IS A SITE AT THE RARAWAI SUGAR MILL BELIEVED TO BE SET UP IN 1800’S. IT HAS BEEN SERVING FIJI FOR THE LAST MANY DECADES. BA HAVING A LARGE AREA MOSTLY OF CANE FARM HAS BEEN USING IT AND RELATING ITSELF WITH IT WHEN IT CAME TO SUGAR INDUSTRY. THE SUGAR INDUSTRY SAW ITS UP AND DOWNS BUT THE RARAWAI MILL STOOD THERE SERVING THE DEMANDS AND NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. FARMERS AND MILL WORKERS HAVE COME AND GONE BUT THE HISTORY OF SUGAR INDUSTRY IN BA AND THE MILL STAYS REFLECTING ON THE YEARS AND DECADES GONE BY. THE MIGRATION AND INTERNAL RELOCATION TO THE CENTRAL DIVISION AND THE LAND LEASE ISSUES OBVIOUSLY HAD AN IMPACT ON THE CANE PRODUCTION IN THE BA AREA AT LARGE. TO THE VISITORS IT MAY BE JUST A SUGAR MILL BUT TO THE PAST AND PRESENT RESIDENTS OF BA,
CANE CARTING TO A SUGAR MILL IN THE WEST CANE HARVESTING PERIOD IN FIJI IS A MAJOR ACTIVITY IN THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN PARTS OF FIJI. MANY PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESSES RELATED TO CANE CRUSHING AT THE MILLS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE HARVESTERS, FARM OWNERS, TRUCK DRIVERS, TRAIN OPERATORS AND THE MILL WORKERS ALL PLAY THEIR ROLES TO ENSHURE THE CANE CRUSHING IS DONE AS THEY ALL BENEFIT FROM THE PROCESS. CANE CARTING BY TRUCKS OR TRAINS ARE ONE PROCESS THAT IS WITNESSED BY THE PUBLIC ON CONSTANT BASIS DURING THE CRUSHING SEASON IN THE WEST AND NORTH. 8
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TRIBUTE TO LATE RAM MAHARAJ DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA—USA THE SUDDEN PASSING AWAY OF RAM ANAND MAHARAJ OF DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA – USA ON APRIL 24, 2017 IN USA, HAS SHOCKED HIS FAMILY, RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND ALL THAT KNEW HIM. BORN IN LABASA, FIJI HE HAD HIS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN LABASA. HE JOINED FIJI COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND UPON GRADUATION WORKED FOR THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. MR. MAHARAJ MIGRATED TO USA AND SETTLED IN DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA WHERE HE LIVED TILL HIS DEATH. HE WORKED FOR FRANKLIN TEMPLETON IN SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE BECOMING A FULL—TIME INSURANCE AGENT. HE SERVED HIS CLIENTS IN HIS INSURANCE FIELD WITH SINCERETY AND DEDICATION AND WAS A GREAT SUPPORT IN INSURANCE ADVICE TO PEOPLE. HE WAS ALSO A COMMUNITY WORKER AND SERVED A LOCAL LATE RAM MAHARAJ TEMPLE IN SAN BRUNO AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR MANY YEARS. HIS WONDERFUL PERSONALITY EARNED HIM MANY FRIENDS. A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MINE FOR YEARS, HE WAS A CALM, HUMBLE AND QUIET NATURED PERSON. THE TURN OUT OF PEOPLE IN LARGE NUMBERS AT HIS FUNERAL SERVICE REFLECTED ABOUT HIS POPULARITY IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AND THE NEIGHBORING AREAS. HE LEAVES BEHIND HIS WIFE, CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, FAMILY MEMBERS , RELATIVES IN LABASA , USA AND ABROAD, FRIENDS AND A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM. A WONDERFUL SOUL PUT TO REST. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN THE BAY AREA FIJI COMMUNITY. MR.MAHARAJ WAS A WELL-WISHER OF INDIA FIJI TODAY AND ADVERTISED HIS BUSINESS IN THIS MAGAZINE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TILL HIS DEATH. I HAD DIFFICULTY IN DELETING HIS ADVERTISEMENT FROM THIS MAGAZINE AS IT ALWAYS STOOD OUT. THE REGULAR READERS WILL MISS HIS ADVERTISEMENT AND SO WILL I. ‘‘MAY YOU REST IN PEACE FOREVER, PUNDIT,’’... AS I CALLED HIM. COMPILED BY ARUN MAHARAJ—A CLOSE FRIEND OF LATE RAM MAHARAJ) 9
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A LOOK AT FIJI’S PAST... Taking a Journey Back to
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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 much these days particularly here in America. The concept of nuclear and individual lifestyle has set in so much in some cases that it has distanced people from their very VUNIMONO HIGH SCHOOL, NAUSORI—2013. I HAD THE own. Community based livPLEASURE OF TEACHING THERE FROM 1975-1981. ing 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. Schools played a key role in maintaining ‘community based living.’ The teachers in the community were highly regarded and respected not only by the children whom they taught but also their parents and their families. The entire community looked upon the teachers as advisers on various community matters and greatly respected them. The teachers in return played the role of mentors and assisted the community in guiding them for the progress of the children and community A PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASS at large. IN NASINU—2013 11
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INDIAN CINEMA INDIAN T.V INDUSTRY AND THE MOVIE STARS OF THE PAST... ‘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 KAMALA NEHRU PARK—MUMBAI 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 engaged 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 engaged 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 been very popular during their active ‘film days’ are seen in t.v. serials now. It seems the t.v. industry provides a long term engagement unlike the film industry which is short term based on film by film basis. The continuing trend may provide the viewers the opportunity of seeing more of the film artists of the recent past on their tv screens reminding the viewers of the artists film industry era. VIEWS AND AN OBSERVATION ONLY 13
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FIJI FLASHBACK DILKUSHA METHODIST HIGH SCHOOL-NAUSORI-2000
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT THE SCHOOL IN THE YEAR AROUND 2000. SEEN IN THE PICTURE L-R—LATE LATCHMAN WONG SANG (VICE PRINCIPAL), ARUN MAHARAJ— VISITING FROM USA AND JACK KHELAWAN (PRINCIPAL—NOW RESIDING IN CANADA)
IF YOU HAVE SOME OLD PICTURES OF FIJI WHICH CAN USED IN THIS COLUMN AND WISH IT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THIS MAGAZINE, PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO indiafijitoday@gmail.com. YOU WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION.
THURSTON GARDEN – FIJI
CENTRAL SUVA – FIJI 15
INDIA TODAY ChandgarhPunjab 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.
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. 16
INDIA TODAY 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 ENTERTAIN READERS TROUGH ARTICLES AND PICTURES ON FIJI COMMUNITY ABROAD—PEOPLE IN FIJI COMMUNITY—A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY—FIJI FEATURE—A LOOK AT FIJI’S PAST—FIJI FLASHBACK— INDIAN CINEMA—INDIA TODAY
Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature THE ARICLES AND PICTURE ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY AND THE ARTICLES ARE THE EDITOR’S VIEWS AND OPINION ONLY. 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. 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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