SHRADHAANJALI KE DOH PHOOL: A TRIBUTE TO GIYANNEDRA PRASAD

SHRADHAANJALI KE DOH PHOOL: A TRIBUTE TO GIYANNEDRA PRASAD

Thakur Ranjit Singh

My salutations to GIYANNENDRA PRASAD, Vakil (lawyer) Saab, a student-leader, a community leader, a lawyer, a politician and a model compassionate human being. 

He was born in Daku Labasa in rural Vanua Levu, Fiji through cane-farmer parents on 1 October, 1959. 

And he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in Auckland, New Zealand on 1 June, 2020 at age of just over 59 years, after a twenty-year gallant battle with cancer.

He was cremated at Anns Funeral Home and Onsite Cremations at 11 Bolderwood Place, Wiri, Manukau, Auckland on 3 June, 2020 during Covid 19 lockdown period, with restrictions of only 100 attendees in funerals.

We have been deeply honoured to have him amongst us as an exemplary person and an inspiration for all those who are going through adversity and difficulties in life.

Indeed, it was some 20 years ago that you were diagnosed with cancer; doctors had given up on you and predicted death so many times, but as a fighter, and with that Girmit spirit of perseverance, you fought on. And stared the death angel in the eyes, challenged it and beat it for so long. At last you succumbed to sickness - and called it a day, surrounded by loved ones. Indeed, an extremely valiant fighter.

In a message to family and friends, he paid gratitude to all for their support and messages of hope. He is satisfied he lived a full life, helped the family, and the needy. He departs happily and grateful that he fulfilled all his obligations to his loved ones. 

GIYANNEDRA PRASAD, with Fiji statesman and former World Court Judge HONORABLE JAI RAM REDDY, at Shri Ram Mandir during Mandir inauguration in May, 2015.

His biggest ambition was to see his daughter get educated and be able to step into his shoes. He has very admirably achieved that. His only daughter, Smita Prasad has graduated with BCom LLB (Hons) and as a father he is proud that he was able to make application to the High Court of New Zealand for her admission as a Barrister and Solicitor. Mission accomplished, with his beloved Smita now walking in the footsteps of her lawyer father.

Apart from his duties and obligations to his immediate and extended families, he also believed in the boon of parr-hitt, service to humanity. Giyannendra had been a pillar of strength to Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Auckland as one of its very distinguished Founding Trustees and steered and supported it during its formative years through his community experience and legal expertise. Its completion and continued success is a credit to him and other Trustees.

We are honoured to have a lawyer with a heart, as that is a rare attribute in that profession. You provided free services to the community and always helped out the vulnerable amongst us.

Like father, like daughter. A proud father GIYANNEDRA PRASAD (rightt), with lawyer daughter SMITA PRASAD, after admission as Barrister and Solicitor to High Court of New Zealand.

As a former Secretary of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA), I can vouch the services you provided this organisation some 15 years ago with your learned advice, guiding principles and legal acumen. You were instrumental in formation of Waitakere Hindi School as a separate entity, and its success now is another feather in you cap.

Giyannedra Prasad, (4th from right) when Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, was a regular attendee most Mandir events. Here he is seen, with his family and other fellow Trustees, offering  purnahuti to a Hawan at the Mandir in 2015

The inspiration we get from you is your Zinda-dil attitude, lion-heartedness and the fighter spirit to face adversity, challenge it, and fight it. These are the qualities the Girmitiya descendants got handed over the generations from those persevering people.

Yaar, Dost, Friend, you have made us stronger and more resolved to fight the adversities that destiny throws on our path - and fight it, and stand up to fight again…and again…and again….

When old friends meet. GIYANNEDRA PRASAD (centre) with his friend DR GUNASEGARAN (left), flanked by yours truly, THAKUR RANJIT SINGH. Dr Gunasegran was supposed to be a speaker at the funeral but could not attend because of closed borders.

Indeed, it is an honour to know you. Some time ago, I was fortunate to have linked up with you and your good and equally philanthropist friend and Parliamentary Colleague from Fiji, Dr Gunasegaran at your good friend, Mahendra Sharma’s place. With Dacter Saab, you share some fond and not so fond memories.

The not-so-fond memories were when both of you were George Speight’s hostages in Fiji Parliament with other People’s Coalition (Labour Party) Members of Parliament from 19 May, 2000 for 56 days. Dr Gunasegaran was supposed to be one of the four speakers during your funeral, but could not come because of Covid 19 closed borders.

His another Labour Parliamentary Colleague, Krishna Datt paid tribute to his “younger brother” and hailed him as a very rare person who would so welcome death. In a Facebook message, he added:” Giyannendra will never die. He will live on with our memories, teaching us meaning in life and how to face adversity with audacity and courage.” Krishna Datt was supposed to be second speaker at his funeral and lawyer friend, Subhash Parshottam was supposed to be the third speaker. Unfortunately, none of the three Fiji-based speakers could attend because of Covid 19 closed borders. The fourth speaker, Master Shiu Charan spoke about life, history and attributes of his former fellow Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir.

GIYANNENDRA PRASAD (right) with MASTER SHIU CHARAN (centre) and PRATAP CHAND during launch of Chand's book " A Fijian Memoir" in Auckland, New Zealand in September, 2013. Chand is also a Parliamentary collegue of Prasad.

Another Parliamentary Colleague and University mate, Dr Ganesh Chand recalls you as an energetic and effective student leader in your younger days at USP. Dr Chand remembers working with you together in Students Council. He fondly remembers you as a man of peace, fighter for justice, and a humble fellow Labasan.

Another friend and former academic of USP, Dr Vijay Naidu also paid tribute and passed his condolences to Veena and Smita and the family.

Giyannedra continued with community service after becoming a lawyer. In Fiji Parliament, you were the Deputy Speaker, and served your people well, especially in the forgotten Northern (Labasa) part of Fiji. For somebody who had risen so high, you were still well grounded firmly with your roots and aam aadmi - the common people.

THE PRASAD FAMILY: L-R: GIYANNENDRA, daughter SMITA and wife VEENA PRASAD during Smita's graduation.

Now, to the two women in your life. Wife Veena Prasad has been a pillar of strength, inspiration, hope and support for you - both in personal life as a wife and professional life as an assistant and a paralegal officer. She is an epitome of an exemplary Hindu wife who stood steadfastly beside her husband in his battles with cancer for two decades-in good times, and in bad times. 

Her devotion and selflessness may not have been recognised by other speakers and writers. I wish to take this opportunity to salute her for inspiring other wives supporting a husband through difficult and trying times. Veena will always be remembered for her faith, devotion and duties to her husband whenever people will remember Giyannedra. Aayushmaan Bhava, Devi.

VEENA PRASAD (Right) - the light in the life of her husband GIYANNEDRA PRASAD. We salute her for being a devoted wife and mother, who steadfastly stood beside her husband in all those trying times of sickness.

And of course your proud daughter, Smita Prasad who gave you the strength to fight with death for so long. She may perhaps be likened to a talisman, a jewel for which you struggled with Yam Doot, the angel of death, until she entered the bar and started walking in your footsteps. Now, lawyer Smita Prasad, BCom LLB (Hons), is ably following in your footsteps. In fact your passing away appears to be an iccha mrityu - as you have now realised your dreams and was ready for the final journey.

And as you said in your parting message, you have no regrets, fulfilled all you wishes and achieved the dream of passing your heritage to your daughter, Smita. 

You have now handed the baton over to her.

Lawyer Smita Prasad is a proud legacy you leave behind.

And for us all, a very inspirational memories of a fighter, where we may say…Tiger Abhi Jinda Hai…the fighter is still amongst us. Thanks for encouraging us to be fighters in life.

So long, friend.

Shat Shat Naman Vakil Babu.

Om Satgati.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist , media commentator and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. He covers news and information about his community not normally covered by other media]