AN ONLINE MAGAZINE ABOUT FIJI AND INDIA LIFESTYLES PUBLISHED IN USA
READ INSIDE AMEETA MAHARAJ NARAYAN AND RUKESH NARAYAN OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA WITH FIJI PM— MR. BAINIMARAMA AT THE FIJI DAY DINNER IN SAN FRANCISCO
RATHNESH RAMAN A FIJI BORN POLICE OFFICER IN CALIFORNIA APPOINTED POLICE CHIEF OF SAN PABLO, CALFORNIA—USA SAN PABLO POLICE CHIEF RATHNESH (RON) RAMAN
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PAST HONORARY CO CHAIRMAN OF BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL IN USA AND IN THAT CAPACITY WAS INVITED TO THE ARUN MAHARAJ 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 PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT FIJI JAYCEESJAYCEES INTERNATIONALSENATOR 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
A HISTORIC EVENT Fiji Day is celebrated in Fiji and abroad where Fijians are settled. This year it was celebrated in USA, Canada and Sydney apart from the celebrations in FIJI. The event is a historic one going back forty—seven years when Fiji gained its independence from Great Britain. It used to be Independence Day, until the country became a republic after the political happenings of 1987. The Independence Day celebrations at the Albert Park in Suva may be remembered by the residents of the Central Division of that time, as the school children in particular, took part in the marching and other events.
IN MEMORIAM—SUNEEL MAHARAJ HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA-USA–FOMERLY OF NASINU - FIJI LEFT FOR ETERNITY ON OCTOBER 29, 2016 Eldest child of Late Mr. Ambika Prasad Maharaj and Mrs Suruj Mati Maharaj, Grandson of Late Mr and Mrs Parmeshwar Dutt and Late Mr and Mrs James Shri Bhagwan of Fiji, Suneel moved to Hayward, California from the Fiji in December 2007 and was last working for Mafre Insurance as an end user Support Specialist. Having completed his primary and high school education in Fiji, he continued his education in Information Technology, when he moved to the United States. Suneel started his career in LATE SUNEEL MAHARAJ Fiji working for Carpenters Fiji Limited, before moving to Westpac Banking Corporation and then Datec Group NZ Limited as the IT Delivery Manager for Westpac. His role comprised management of Westpac’s Data Centers in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. He was an avid Manchester United fan and enjoyed traveling, reading, music and frequent kava sessions with his family and close mates. He was married to Sneh Tikaram for 31 years and has three sons, Rajat, Rajiv and Rahil who live in Fairview, Hayward - California. His mother, three sisters and brothers –in-law live in Fiji. His absence is greatly felt by his family and by a large number of relatives. Compiled by Rahil Maharaj and inserted by the courtesy of INDIA FIJI TODAY 1
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FIJI COMMUNITY ABROAD Volume
Issue
NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD Newsletter Date
RATHNESH RAMAN A FIJI BORN - POLICE OFFICER IN CALIFORNIA APPOINTED POLICE CHIEF OF SAN PABLO, CALFORNIA-USA A Pittsburg Police Officer has been appointed the Police Chief of San Pablo in California. Born in Fiji he migrated to USA with his parents in the early seventies. Being a long serving officer in Pittsburgh Police Department he brings with him tremendous experience to carry out his duty as head of the Police Department in San Pablo. His appointment may be the highest achievement in Police career for a Fiji born here in USA. Ratnesh graduated from Pinole High School in 1991 and went on for higher education at Sacramento State University where he graduated with a Science Degree in Criminal Justice and later attained a Masters Degree in Leadership from another institution. Heading a Police Department of a city in California is a SAN PABLO POLICE CHIEF tremendous responsibility and his years of experience in the RATHNESH RAMAN field may see greater success in the Police Department in San Pablo. The Police Chief is married and has two daughters and resides with his family in Concord, California. Coming from a family with Police background, Raman is the grandson of Late P U Raman, a former Police Commissioner of Fiji. He was the first local to be appointed to the top position. Police Chief Raman is the son Mr. and Mrs. Anil Raman.
THE POLICE CHIEF WITH HIS WIFE JENIFER AND DAUGHTERS KELENA AND KIRA 3
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FIJI COMMUNITY ABROAD Volume Issue NEWS FROM FIJI COMMUNITY LIVING ABROAD Newsletter Date
FIJI DAY CELEBRATED WITH THE FIJI PRIME MINISTER, MR. BAINIMARAMA IN SAN FRANCISCO-BAY AREA… Fiji Day was celebrated in San Francisco—Bay Area this year in the presence of Fiji’s Prime Minister, Mr. Bainimarama. The official opening was done by him in Hayward, a suburb of San Francisco, on Friday, October 6. A good number of people turned out at the California State University – East Bay, though it was a working day at working hours. An atmosphere of fellowship was created among the people who were present there. The night program was the Fiji Day Dinner that was held in South San Francisco. The following day, Saturday, celebration was held again in Hayward at the same venue where people turned out to enjoy the sporting events along with other activities. It was a festive atmosphere where the Fiji Prime Minister, freely met the people from the gathering.
AMEETA MAHARAJ NARAYAN AND RUKESH NARAYAN OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA WITH FIJI PM—MR. BAINIMARAMA AT THE FIJI DAY DINNER IN SAN FRANCISCO
LISTENING TO THE FIJI PRIME MINISTER, MR. BAINIMARAMA’S SPEECH AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF FIJI DAY IN HAYWARD,SAN FRANCISCO—BAY AREA, LEFT—ARUN MAHARAJ— PUBLISHER INDIA FIJI TODAY RIGHT—PART OF THE GATHERING... 5
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IN FIJI COMMUNITY IN FIJI AND ABROAD... RAVIN SHARMA—SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA A GROWING PASSION FOR SINGING... A humble, hard working Ravin is known to me from his birth as my nephew. I always admired his simplicity, he went to the school where I taught in the 70’s and sometimes he took a ride with me. I saw his growing up as a successful person and eventually his marriage to Mohini. Ravin migrated to Australia in 2004 and settled well there in Sydney. According to him his singing interest started when he was a child living in Nasinu among his many Mamas. There were many occasions in Nasinu 8 Miles, Ravin’s home when casual singing sessions were held either as keertans or gazals and film songs by his Mamas, with whom he lived and grew up. He started RAVIN DURING ONE OF HIS singing casually with his family and SONGS RECORDING FOR friends in Sydney during certain occaFACEBOOK, RECENTLY... sions. Ravin’s passion for singing took a new turn when Facebook came to being as a social media. He started singing on Facebook entertaining his friends. He sings on karaoke and his first standup singing on Facebook was in 2011. He uses his phone for his videos, singing, editing and posting to his friends. According to him, he sings songs of all singers but mostly of Kishore Kumar. He says, his voice resembles to Amitabh Bachchan’s voice and he loves singing his film songs. ...WITH HIS WIFE MOHINI SHARMA
INDIA FIJI TODAY wishes him further success in his singing hobby and may he keep entertaining his friends on Facebook. 7
A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY CANE HARVESTING IN FIJI CANE HARVESTING 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.
INDIA TODAY VISITING AYODHYA THE ‘HOLY CITY’ The holy city of ‘Ayodhya’ in the Uttar Pradesh is the site of worship and pilgrimage for the Hindus in India and worldwide. People visit the city in large numbers as it is the place of the birth of ‘Lord Rama.’ The Summer heat is sometimes unbearable but the Winter is be very comfortable. Visitors from abroad travel to this city for pilgrimage. 8
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, DAYS IN SAMABULA services provided. The AN EARLY Dhani Lal andHOUSE Arun Maharaj— Looking back at 1988! WITH SOME FACELIFT TODAY 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 Jaycess 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.
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A LOOK AT FIJI TODAY EDINBURGH DRIVE SUVA This is a scene at the popular Edinburgh Drive, connecting Samabula to Suva. This is a major connector from Nausori and Nasinu to Suva city. The site is always crowded with busses, taxis and other vehicles. Traveling from the Suva end towards Samabula, on the hill, the thick black smoke coming out of some of the busses used to be a common site there.
A SHOPPING CENTER IN CENTRAL SUVA The recent past further development in Suva, saw the coming up of various shopping centers and shops within the city. These centers were probably used for other businesses in the past. The recent years saw continuous growth within the city. 11
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TRAVELING THROUGH PUNJAB, INDIA Visiting India is probably a wish of many Fijians of Indian origin as their ancestral origin is based there. There was a time when traveling to India from Fiji was a big achievement for Fijians of Indian origin and a trip well looked forward to. As Fijians of Indian origin have settled abroad more trips are being made to India by them, some even on frequent basis. While traveling to Punjab, as seen in the picture, large farms are seen with richness of nature and greenery. Visiting Chanigarh, the capital and a modern city is exciting. In the picture taken by Arun Maharaj-INDIA FIJI TODAY, during a trip through Pubjab, are seen, left to right—Suresh Shandil of India, a Dhaba employee and Rajeshwar Singh of Sacramento, USA .
A LOOK AT ‘FIJI JAYCEES’ AWARDS—NIGHT IN THE LATE 1980’S… During the active days of FIJI JAYCEES there were many functions held throughout the year in different parts of the country. The eighties were a period of high membership, stretching from the Central Division to the Western and to the Northern with Jaycees Chapters in every town and major suburbs. The AWARDS NIGHT held annually was the highlight of the year, looked forward to by all members. SEEN IN THE PICTURE ARE MEMBERS OF NASINU JAYCEES AND THEIR WIVES WITH THEIR AWARDS WON DURING THE AWARDS NIGHT……….. 13
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INDIAN CINEMA THE POWERFUL ROLES OF COMEDIANS IN THE INDIAN FILMS OF THE PAST... Comedy in Indian films are still enjoyed today and probably will be in future. Indian films of the past had a significant slice of the film dedicated to comedy which was greatly looked forward to in films. Most films were completely balanced with comedians and villains along with supporting artists who played significant roles in supporting the roles of the leading artists. Talking about comedians in Indian film one cannot forget the veteran artist Mehmood who outshined on the screen with his appearance. His comedy was something that people fully enjoyed as their monies worth and went home fully satisfied with the hilarious acts that they had seen. The acts and scenes of the legendary artist may be still live in people’s minds today, decades after the prominent comedian’s performances. During the sixties and seventies he was one of the leading comedians in Indian cinema. While we talk about comedians in Indian cinema there are many others who come to mind and have provided their share of entertainment to the Indian filmgoers of the past. Johnny Walker was another comedian who thrilled the audience with his appearances on the screen. A totally hilarious artist who added great entertainment and joy to the films. Indian cinema in the past saw comedians like Mukri, Dhumal, Sundar, Agha, Mohan Choti, Asit Sen and others along with artists like Jagdeep, Asrani, I. S. Johar, Paintal, Shakti Kapoor, Kader Khan and others. The comedies of the past Indian films may remain in the minds of the people for long.
INDIA TODAY
A Bus Traveling to Shimla This is a scene on the winding road leading to Shimla. The crowded bus is about to climb a hill with people even on top of the bus. 15
INDIA TODAY CHANDIGARH-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 speaks about the lifestyle there.
A SUGAR CANE FARM IN UTTAR PRADESH Being basically an agricultural country farms are seen in most parts of India. This is a flourishing cane farm along a roadside in remote Uttar Pradesh—largest Indian state. 16
INDIA TODAY DOWNTOWN MUMBAI—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.
A DHABA IN UTTAR PRADESH This is a site at a Dhaba in Lucknow. Dhabas are popular sites seen while traveling India by road. They are roadside eateries and serve the needs of the travelers. In the picture an attendant is seen busy preparing snacks for the travelers 17
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INDIA FIJI TODAY AN ONLINE MAGAZINE PUBLISHER / EDITOR ARUN MAHARAJ HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA USA PHONE—510 875 0568 EMAIL—indiafijitoday@gmail.com FACEBOOK.COM / ARUN MAHARAJ 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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