RADIO TARANA: HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY - VATAN KI YAADEIN- COMMENDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Radio Tarana -Vatan ki Yaad: Happy 25th Birthday – Commendable Achievements

Thakur Ranjit Singh

It was a drizzly cold usual wintry Saturday evening in Auckland at 5pm on 15 June 1996 that a beautiful sound floated majestically in Auckland air from a makeshift temporary studio. And that was very appropriately named as Tarana - a carol, a song, a chant, a hymn, chorus. Yes, many meanings, but a very beautiful sound - RADIO TARANA.

June 15, 2021 marks 25th birthday of Radio Tarana. After that genesis 25 years ago, it has achieved momentous status. At the age of 26, a very youthful Robert Khan decided to fill a vacuum to create a Hindi radio station for a growing number on people of Indian origin in Auckland. 

And one of the continuing achievements has been proudly maintaining New Zealand’s number one place as its Hindi Radio Station. And with this achievement, the founder and Managing Director of Radio Tarana, Robert Khan (Junior) became the first ethnic Broadcaster to win the Prestigious Supreme Award, which was awarded for the services to NZ Broadcasting at the annual Radio Awards in May, 2016. 

The man behind Radio Tarana - its Managing Director Robert Khan whose initiative and vision has seen Tarana brand reaching new heights.

Then a year later, he netted another award. The founder and chief executive of New Zealand’s leading Indian radio network, Tarana, was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in Queen Elizabeth II's 91st Birthday Honours List in 2017. 

Fiji-born Robert Khan has been acknowledged for his service to broadcasting and the Indian community after more than two decades at the helm of Radio Tarana. From humble beginnings as New Zealand’s first commercial Indian radio network, Khan has led Tarana to become one of the largest independent brands in New Zealand radio.

With diversity and demographic mix of People of Indian Origin (PIOs) from around the globe, the expansion and adjustment was necessary to make Radio Tarana multi-lingual. Therefore, now it includes, among others, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil and Gujarati. And that record now stretches to still being New Zealand’s number one Indian Radio Station - not merely a Hindi Station.

The powerhouse behind Tarana Team, Pawan Rekha, Station Manager

Overall, New Zealand’s People of Indian Origin are today richer for the fact that they have this 24-hour radio station in their own language with Radio Tarana. It has done much to ensure the language is kept alive. Therefore, we are content with the fact that there still remains a radio station that reminds us of good things back home in our originating birth country.-…vatan ki yaad dilaati hai… .. And that is…Radio Tarana.

The veteran but controversial mainstream former radio personality, Paul Henry with Robert Khan during Prestigious Supreme Awards in 2016. And Paul Henry is back amongst us.

There is something unique, some belongingness with Radio Tarana that it reminds you of your home country, especially Fiji, because the format rightfully mirrors our stations in Fiji, as most of the announcers are Fiji Indians.

Radio Tarana has also contributed handsomely to development within the Indian community. It has been a part of Auckland community since its inception and their dedication to the support of community efforts has been exemplary for other media groups to emulate. 

Their motive has not necessarily been financial gain. They have gone out of their way to promote community based programmes and efforts even if they were of little financial gain to them. It has been this dedication to this vision that saw virtually the whole station at Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) events.

Sanjesh Narain and Neha Sandhu , hosts of "Morning No.1" at Radio Tarana.

Practice shows that a large chunk of budget of any community event goes in public relation and publicity. That is why it is so important to have a media organisation as a partner.

Indeed, you cannot talk of Radio Tarana without mention of Waitakere Indian Association. If one partnership and friendship people will talk about after Jai and Veeru of Sholay is about association of Radio Tarana and Waitakere Indian Association (WIA).

They have grown and prospered together. As WIA Diwali grew in size and complexity, so did the popularity, listener-ship and reach of Tarana. That spelt good omen for our partnership.

Jilesh Desai, the youthful face of "Tez Gadi"- the speeding car of Team Tarana. He displays maturity, knowledge and experience far beyond his age.

Robert Khan and Radio Tarana have stood steadfastly beside WIA in all their functions and the success are shared mutually. Two major events at Waitakere: Diwali and Holi both have become very popular and have now been adopted in the annual calendar of events of West Auckland. And to a great extent, Radio Tarana played a big role in bringing these events to people.

Part of Team Tarana

The lifeblood of Radio Tarana is its evergreen, presentable, charming and superb presenters and hosts who have been adding colour to WIA functions for years. They have been sharing compeering duties at WIA Diwali and Holi functions, and this turned out to be very well-liked by the audience. 

When two Pundits meet: Yours Truly, FIJI PUNDIT, Thakur Ranjit Singh, author of this article (left) with Shalen Sharma of "DJ Shaa...len Show" where Thakur seems to have developed a mini-show. This meeting was during Waitakere Indian Association Diwali in 2018

While celebrating Birthday of Radio Tarana, we are joyful about the birth of something great which has made unique mark in radio broadcasting in New Zealand. However, with birth comes one of the few certainties in life, and that is - death. But this one came too fast, and too soon –someone who was closely associated with Radio Tarana.

Anirudh Diwakar. Indeed you cannot talk about Hindi Radio Stations in Fiji Indian Diaspora without the influence from Fiji. And Fiji’s Golden voice cannot be forgotten during this happy occasion, as he affected too many people close to Radio Tarana, and other Hindi stations in New Zealand.

A salute to the golden voice, Anirudh Diwakar

Most of the announcers were touched by the golden voice of this veteran with 40-year long service to radio broadcasting in Fiji. This golden voice of Anirudh Diwakar had close relationship with Radio Tarana for many years where they weekly crossed over to Radio Sargam to Suva and the golden voice also used to report live from Fiji for Radio Tarana. 

We salute Anirudh Diwakar - the veteran radio personality of four decades during this Birthday who touched so many in so many ways, especially the announcers hailing from Fiji. And in this category, we also salute Rajesh Maharaj who played an important role during the birth of Radio Tarana.

Hemant Parikh, the veteran and roving brand of Radio Tarana, who has been at the station from day one.

Happy 25th Birthday to Radio Tarana and best wishes. We pray it to be continually blessed with visionary management and staff who can make it not only into a responsible and caring media organisation but a conscious and caring community partner which laughs and cries with the community. 

Thanks to Radio Tarana for its community spiritedness. Thanks Robert Khan for your vision and your dedicated exemplary team.

God Bless Radio Tarana and its team.

And in FIJI PUNDIT fashion, Aayushmaan, Chiranjivi aur Kirtimaan Bhava.

[About The Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist, a media commentator and a blogger. He runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT]

PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA: THE MAHATMA GANDHI OF FIJI GIRMIT, BUT IGNORED AND UNACKNOWLEDGED

PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA: THE MAHATMA GANDHI OF FIJI GIRMIT - BUT IGNORED AND UNKNOWN

Guest Writer, Rajendra Prasad

[This is an excerpt of an address given by Rajendra Prasad, who was Keynote Speaker in Wellington, New Zealand during 140th Anniversary to mark Girmit on 18 May, 2019]

Tonight, I have the honour to disclose the name of the greatest Girmitiya in the history of Girmit, which includes 1.2 million Girmitiyas who went to the different colonies, including Fiji.
 

Totaram Sanadya:The Mahatma Gandhi of Fiji Girmit. He authored the book "Fiji Mein Mere Ikkees Varsh-My 21 Years in the Fiji Islands

In disclosing this name, I proudly claim that he was from Fiji and his name was Totaram who later famously became known as Pundit Totaram Sanadhya. In making this disclosure, I am also saddened that it took 140 years to recognize this distinguished Girmitiya from Fiji and I have little doubt, noting his attributes and achievements, in claiming that he was the Mahatma Gandhi of Fiji. 

It is not commonly recognized that it was Pundit Totaram and not Mahatma Gandhi who initiated the greatest resistance movement against the indenture system in India through his articles, published in India and letters of appeal to the Indian leaders since 1911. Mahatma Gandhi only joined the resistance movement upon his return from South Africa in January 1915.

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to recount Pundit Totaram’s historical journey. 

• Pundit Totaram reached Fiji in May 1893, served his Girmit in Nausori, and lived there until 1914 with his wife Gangadevi. 

• During this period, he consistently traveled all over Fiji to see his people, their struggles and sufferings and regularly wrote articles about them in the newspapers in India and through his letters, he urged the Indian leaders to stop recruitment of Indians and seek the abolition of indenture system. 

Rajendra Prasad, Founding Trustee, and Secretary to Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand. He is also author of two outstanding eye-opener books on Girmit and some of more-recent untold and unspoken Fiji History-written with a heart and human emotions.  He is Author of Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise-two extremely excellent reading. He is seen here delivering this historical keynote deliberation, speaking about the greatest Fiji Girmitiya who, shamefully us Fiji Indians, seem to have forgotten or ignored-PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA

• In 1902, Pundit Totaram organized the first Ram Lila in Navua, which became the pattern for organizing such events in other districts in later years.

• In 1910, Pundit Totaram organized a petition signed by over 200 people, urging the government to make provision for schools for the children of Girmitiyas and sought Indian representation in Fiji’s Legislative Council. 

• In 1912, through the efforts of Pundit Totaram and with assistance from Mahatma Gandhi, barrister Manilal Maganlal Doctor went to Fiji from Mauritius to assist and represent Indian interests with the government and in courts.

• In 1912, Pundit Totaram stirred the greatest revolution against the indenture system in India when he published his article on the plight of Girmitiya woman Kunti who jumped in the river to protect herself from rape by the Overseer. 

• This news spread like wildfire in India and set the stage for a massive resistance movement against the indenture system. 

• In 1913, Pundit Totaram decided to return to India to see his aged mother and work towards the abolition of the indenture system with the Indian leaders. 

His departure from Fiji on 27 March 1914 was the saddest day for the Girmitiyas and they honoured their hero in a joint statement, acknowledging his selfless deeds while in Fiji. 

Pundit Totaram Sanadhya, who deserves to be remembered by Fiji Indians through some memorial or monument that is befitting for the the greatest of Fiji Girmitiyas.

Sadly, we, as a community failed to recognize the shining jewel of our community, which took 140 years for us to realize, acknowledge and re-write the slogan of praise for Pundit Totaram. And tonight, I do so with my head lowered in sadness, as we, as a community, failed to recognize Pundit Totaram and did not give him an eternal place of eminence in our history. 
Such neglect is a direct result of us being estranged from knowing or learning our history. We grew in ignorance – not by choice but by the deliberate design by those who ruled over our lives. 

However, it is sufficient to say that a community without its history is like a tree without its roots. In this regard, allow me to pause and pose a question – did we root in Fiji? I think not! If so, will our people ever root in Fiji? I consider it a moot question, which could yet be another subject for another night!

Due to deliberate design and neglect, we have lost the nuggets of gold that comprised our tragic but a remarkable history. This year, the Prime Minister of Fiji has assured that teaching of Girmit history will be included in the curriculum of schools. Sadly, following the end of indenture system in 1920 not one Fiji Indian leader until today raised this issue in the Parliament or anywhere on the importance of our history being taught in Fiji’s schools. Such was the measure of failure of Fiji Indian leadership in Fiji. 

Cover of Totaram Sanadhya's book that created a storm in India and ultimately resulted in end of exploitation of Girmit.

 Since the 1970s, several Indo-Fijian writers’ and authors have made their mark and earned their place of prominence but we have not acknowledged, leave alone honoured the pioneer among writers and authors – a Girmitiya Pundit Totaram. His writings stirred a revolution and his book, ‘Fiji Desh Mein Mere Ikkees Varsh’(My Twenty-One Years in the Fiji Islands’) written  on his return to India in 1915, became the source that enabled subsequent writers to research and write, filling the blank pages of our Girmit history.

On his return from Fiji, Pundit Totaram worked with Mahatma Gandhi, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and other Indian freedom fighters in the abolition of the indenture system. 

These giants of Indian independence movement recognized the greatness of this greatest Girmitiya from Fiji but we did not. They bestowed on him one of the highest honours, asking him in 1914, to address the annual meeting of the Indian National Congress in Madras. 

Pundit Totaram took the opportunity to reveal the injustices, atrocities and horrors of Girmit in Fiji, which contributed to the resolve among the Indian freedom fighters that abolition of the indenture system, should precede their struggle for India’s independence, as it entailed Indian honour and dignity.

Totaram Sanadhya with his wife, Gangadevi, who died in 1932. Totaram Sanadya passed away in January, 1947. They did not have any children. 

And I would quickly conclude by saying that Pundit Totaram later became the farm manager at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram where both he and his wife lived and died. His wife Gangadevi died in 1932 and Pundit Totaram in January 1947. They had no children of their own.

I claim that Pundit Totaram was the greatest political leader in the history of Fiji Indians but not known, recognized or acknowledged as such. If subsequent leaders belonging to our community had followed his example in dispensing their political duties and obligations, Fiji would have evolved as a great multiracial country. 

Pundit Totaram was the only leader, in the history of Fiji Indians, who spoke Fijian language fluently, intimately knew indigenous Fijian culture, customs and traditions and had earned a place of honour and respect with them. Subsequently, not one Fiji Indian leader knew the Fijian language or indigenous Fijian customs and traditions and they maintained a distant relationship with them. 

He sacrificed his life for others but today, Pundit Totaram Sanadhya, the greatest Girmitiya in the history of Girmit lies in an unmarked grave, even forgotten by those for whom he sacrificed his life but Mahatma Gandhi’s place of cremation is a national shrine, where people ritually go to pay their homage.

From one proud author son of Girmit to the other: Professor Brij Vilas Lal (right) gifting his excellent book"Chalo Jahaji" to Rajendra Prasad in 2014. Professor Lal was the Chief Guest for Girmit Events in Auckland during his visit from Canberra. Now he resides in Brisbane.

In Fiji, schools are established, honouring Sadhu Bashist Muni and Rev C. F. Andrews both linked to the Girmit era but there is no such recognition for Pundit Totaram Sanadhya. The most painful truth is that 95 percent of our people do not even know his name, battles he fought and sacrifices he made for the liberation of his people. 

I have paid my tribute to him, writing a full chapter on his life in my recent book, Enslaved in Paradise, hoping that he would be held in esteem and given the place of honour in our history. 

 [About the Author - Rajendra Prasad is a Founding Trustee and Secretary to Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation of NZ. He is also the author of two books on Fiji’s early Girmit history and years after that -Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise]

WHEN THE KICKER KRISHNA SCORES FIJI GIRMIT GOAL - AND NETS A BEATY-QUEEN WIFE

When The Kicker Krishna Scores Fiji Girmit Goal - and Nets a Beauty Queen Wife

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Roy Krishna, Professional footballer and A League Phoenix striker from Wellington was honoured with 140th Anniversary Girmit Legacy Award in Sports- Khelkood Ratan by Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand on 10 May, 2019 in Auckland.

The award was presented by the Chief Guest, former Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand.

Star soccer Girmitiya descendant A-League player, Roy Krishna (right), with his beauty-queen wife, Naziah Ali Krishna, who especially flew to Auckland from Fiji to be with Roy when he received Girmit Legacy Award in Sports-Khelkood Ratan

Professor Brij Lal, the recipient of the Literary Award –Sahitya Ratan (see article elsewhere) had rightly spoken about Fiji Girmitiyas: Ordinary people who achieved extraordinary feats in face of extraordinary adversities and difficulties. Their resolve and determination to succeed carried them on to deliver Fiji Indians where they are today.

This applies aptly to Roy Krishna, an ordinary person from a dusty sleepy village in Vanua Levu, Fiji. He has made his Girmitiya great grandparents proud. If his forebears are watching him from up there, they would be immensely proud to be bequeathed with such an honour for their sacrifices, suffering and - vision.

Today, their great grandchild, Roy Krishna, who started playing soccer by kicking balls made of plastic bags, as we do in village life, has reached the pinnacle of soccer in Australasia-and even Asia. Today the same humble person from this rustic village is worth millions in the fields of soccer in international scene - best amongst the best.

It appears the souls of Girmitiyas are blessing their descendants, as they have handed over their resolve, resilience and traits to the new generation.

This indeed was the case with this Girmitiya-descended professional footballer.  Krishna has received many awards and recognition for his excellent skills. But this is the sweetest of all - one presented by his own people not only in recognition of his soccer skills alone, but the character, personality and traits that have been passed on by Girmitiya forebears to the new generation of Fiji Indians. And a humble great grandson of Girmit, Roy Krishna is a scoring example of that.

Roy Krishna has string of Awards to his name: After playing 122 games with Phoenix:  51 Goals Record, Johnny Warren Medal, A-League Golden Boot, Phoenix Player of the Season 2017-2019, and Phoenix Golden Boot,2016-17, 2018-19. A remarkable achievement for a simple boy from a sleepy village in Vanua Levu Fiji. He makes the memory of Girmitiyas that much sweeter. 

It was decided to include soccer in Girmit Legacy Award because British introduced soccer to Fiji. Therefore it was appropriate to reward the star soccer star in New Zealand and a proud Girmitiya son, who is a household name amongst soccer loving fans. 

However, you need to appreciate that in our mythology in Krishna Lila, Lord Krishn played ball some 5,000 years ago. The only difference was that while Lord Krishn kicked the ball in Yamuna River to rid it of a demon, Roy Krishna kicked it in goal to prove that Girmitiyas can also leave rich legacies behind -a bagful of goals.

Parts of citation for Girmit Khelkood (sports) Ratan (jewel) award read:

During his first month in New Zealand just over 11 years ago, he spent most of his time crying alone in his room. At the tender age of 20, these suffering of pangs of homesickness in the first few months almost ended his career. Like our Girmitiyas, he was lonely, away from the loved ones, but unlike Girmitiyas, he could communicate to his parents. 

In tears, he'd plead with his mother to let him come home. Instead, Krishna's father would gently take the phone and tell his son his destiny lay elsewhere, and one day he would create history.

And how prophetic was his father, Bal Krishna’s words. Roy Krishna is Fiji’s first professional footballer who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix where he is on a history-making spree this year, winning the coveted golden boot, playing over 100 games and being the highest goal scorer in the current season. 

Despite his applauding achievements, Roy is humble and focused, set to scale greater heights of success and fame, which came with hard work, discipline and desire for excellence. 

He is a perfect role model for the younger people through display of his character, both on and off the fields with great dignity, demeanor, and decorum, well aware of his social responsibilities –and his roots.

The picture says it all  - ALL TIME LEADING GOAL-SCORER-51

In July 2018, Krishna married a Fijian model and pageant (beauty queen) contestant, Lisi Naziah Tora Ali Krishna. And that beauty queen honoured the occasion with her presence. She specially flew in from Fiji to be with her husband when he received that historical award given in memory of his Girmitiya great grandparents who passed him the traits that saw him succeed.

What is a matter of greater significance is that the pretty wife, Naziah Krishna is an epitome of Fijian legacy, representing the best of both worlds. This is because Naziah Ali Krishna is of both Indian and Fijian origin. Her father is a third generation Fiji Indian Girmitiya descendant, while her mother is an ITaukei (native Fijian) from the province of Ba. That is a perfect picture of Fiji we all wish to see.

Best of both worlds and a dream of Fiji we want to see: Naziah Ali Krishna (left) is of both Indian and ITaukei (Fijian) origin. Her father is a third generation Fiji Indian Girmitiya descendant, while her mother is an ITaukei (native Fijian) from the province of Ba. Wish them a happy-wedded life.

And Roy Krishna’s success story is a legacy that has been passed on to successive generations. Yes, Girmitiyas wished that, consciously and appreciatively the new generation will inherit their legacy - a legacy of struggle, endurance, resolve, resilience and achievement.

And the Khelkood Ratan, the jewel Roy Krishna, is a present day example of that Girmit goal – realized on soccer fields with hundreds of scoring thunderous goals.

And as we say in Fiji-Hindi – Roy Krishna net phaar diss re....(he has split the net)

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation, is a journalist, a media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]