Book Review-Enslaved in Paradise: Reclaiming, Retelling and Restoring Fiji’s Distorted Past – and Invalidating Some Historical Myths

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Rajendra Prasad’s second book on Fiji’s untold history was launched by Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Sanjiv Kohli at New Lynn Community Centre, Auckland on Sunday 12 August 2018. 

Enslaved in Paradise (2018) refutes Fiji’s history and retells it from perspectives of victims.

Prasad fearlessly and boldly declares wickedness of the colonial government and chiefly collusions. He reveals many self-serving, self-centred and arrogant leaders, who had ravaged Fiji’s political landscape, but escaped scrutiny. And they eventually degenerated Fiji permanently into the ‘coup coup land label. 

The book also tells how the British sabotaged the return of Indians to save the sugar industry and Fiji’s economy in the  early 1920s and discredits a historical lie that Indians opted to  stay back and that the British were magnanimous in granting them the right to live in Fiji.

Democracy in Fiji was acceptable as long as Itaukei and Chiefly Party won. If they lost, democracy was demonised and trashed. This also happened in 2000 when Muaniweni farmers were terrorised, raped and pillaged after win and one year rule of Chaudhry-led People's Coalition Government. This photo well depicts the sad status of Indians/Indo-Fijians in Fiji from the Girmit days of 1879 to 2006, when all they did was suffered and cried. Only when  Bainimarama stopped state-sponsored and institutionalised racial discrimination against Indo-Fijians through extra legal means did the descendants of Girmitiyas attained security, social justice and equality.

The book is an eye-opener on the biggest lie ever told. It reveals how indigenous chiefs, in 1963, concocted a lie to unite the Taukeis, misleading simple common ITaukei about non-existent fears of the Indo-Fijian threat to land ownership, customs and customary rights. 

The book also gives an opportunity for Indo-Fijians to objectively evaluate how the failure of leadership denied them respect, justice, equality and dignity, and also how their own folly and wrong choices have been the reasons for their sufferings.

It provides irrefutable evidence the Taukei chiefly system did incalculable harm to the social, economic and political development of the Taukeis and Fiji. All the while, the blame for their poverty was mischievously attributed to Indo-Fijians. 

It is a must reading for ITaukei, especially the new generation, to get an appreciation of how a system of Chiefly rule was the biggest shackles for common ITaukei, and how their poverty was self-inflicted. 

The book, in ten chapters makes a gripping reading, and reclaims Fiji’s history never told by any author in that language and passion. In the first chapter, appropriately titled “My Quest for Justice” Prasad reproduces three self-explanatory letters he wrote to Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR), Australian and British governments respectively, and their replies. They eloquently sum up the pain, suffering and sacrifices of Girmitiya. 

The question that arises is, why this was not done by any of those famous Girmitiya lawyers who became rich from an infighting community?  And how about academics or Girmitiya businessmen? Why it took a simple poor but passionate author from a sleepy rustic village to do the unthinkable?

The book also answers many questions that it raises.

Laisenia Qarase

Ratu Sukuna

Ratu Mara: Was he behind 1987 coup? Was he really a multiracial leader as internationally projected or was he just another ethno-nationalist leader? Was it divine justice of Karma when he was "exiled" out of Suva and his Presidential position by his own Itaukei subjects who should have been protectors and not vultures to their respected chief? Read Enslaved in Paradise to get the answers.

Was Ratu Mara really an advocate of multiracialism? Who was the best or worst of ITaukei leaders: Ratu Sukuna, Ratu Mara, Rabuka or Qarase? And among Indo-Fijians? A.D Patel, Koya, Jai Ram Reddy, or Chaudhry? Was Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) really that great? What were the reasons for racial tensions and political instability in Fiji? Who was the greatest Girmitiya who did enormous good for the oppressed people and whom over 95 percent of Indo-Fijians do not know? 

Jai Ram Reddy and Sitiveni Rabuka. Indo-Fijians have suffered because they rejected the multiracial path carved by Reddy and Rabuka alliance in 1999.

A.D. Patel

S.M. Koya

Mahendra Chaudhry: Did he achieve Pyrrhic victory where he could not enjoy the fruits of his victory, where his victory had taken such a heavy toll that it negated any true sense of achievement? Was it self-inflicted? Did he score many own-goals?

You will be shocked and annoyed with some of the answers this very well-researched book gives and substantiates.

And where does Frank Bainimarama stand?

Some may feel that the author Rajendra Prasad is advocating for Fiji First Government and Frank Bainimarama. Nothing is further from truth. He has never met Bainimarama, his deputy or any of the other movers and shakers in Fiji First. His quest for justice began with research for his first book in late 1990s. This was long before Bainimarama came on the political scene. And that self-financed research of some seven years culminated in publishing of Tears in Paradise in 2004.

As they say, once a writer, always a writer. Some more information came on hand, he had some unfinished business, and that extensive investigations climaxed in the blockbuster and bombshell that shatters so many historical myths. And that is Enslaved in Paradise.

Enslaved in Paradise is a hard-hitting book that tears into Fiji's wanting leadership, their betrayals, British treachery, Chiefs and Great Council of Chiefs which were very destabilizing force and threat to  Fiji's democracy. The Chiefs spread false rumour of Indo-Fijian threat to win political support through misplaced fear of Indo-Fijians. Among others, that has been the reason for continued racial-tension through divide and rule mantra the Chiefs aptly learnt from the British.

And what motivated Prasad? He was no academic and neither had any privileges of academic freebies. It is a non-academic writing, deep from the heart and without desire of any academic rewards. It was done to seek justice through untold bare history unable to be told from the confines of a university. 

I have grieved in the stillness of the night and, in the deep peal of thunder, I have heard the muffled cries of our ancestors, imploring us, their descendants, to ensure that their pain and suffering during the indenture period in Fiji, was not lost in the mist of time.

The book tells what happened in 2006 through extra-judicial means could not be done through democratic process. The Bainimarama initiative liberated Indo-Fijians from state-sponsored racial discrimination and granted them equal citizenry. In addition, it stopped the exploitation of the commoner Taukeis by chiefs who benefited hugely through the entrenched legislations. Significantly, the dissolution of the GCC in 2012 meant it could no longer interfere in Fiji politics, leaving its governance to the elected representatives.

Author’s plea in the final chapter sums it all for the forthcoming Fiji election:

The 2018 election is the watershed, which would decide the political trajectory of Fiji. If Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama fails, Fiji could resurrect the politics of ethnicity, which would be disastrous for Fiji. In him, Fiji had a true indigenous Fijian leader who cared for everyone, irrespective of race, religion or culture, lifting Indo-Fijians, in particular, from the ignominy of being the second-class and being the most despised citizens of Fiji. I sincerely hope Fiji overwhelmingly rejects those who profess restoration of ethnic seats, ethnic voting and the Great Council of Chiefs, including politicians and parties that masquerade as champions, hiding their villainous deeds and intents. 

What is also unprecedented is his direct plea to misinformed iTaukei people. Never had Indo-Fijians ever discussed, conspired or even thought of disposing them of their land, culture, customs or customary rights. Ironically, this was done by their trusted people and savors:

…the Europeans appropriated over 500,000 acres of prime land through deceit and lies, facilitated by your chiefs…

Your chiefs, who posed as God’s chosen ones to rule over your lives, deliberately lied to secure their social, economic and political advantage, creating racial discord to benefit from disharmony between you and us. The coups (1987, 2000) executed behind the façade of your rights and interests were sheer illusion, which did not benefit you but only those who concocted deceit and lies.

He compared their changed status after 2006 when an inclusive government, advocating equality and unity in diversity, saw unmatched social, economic and political advancement. 

Oddly, the military coup of 5 December 2006 brought change, which liberated the people of Fiji from draconian acts of defilement in the governance of the nation that continued for over a century. The people of Fiji became hostage to the villainy of those who hid behind the democratic façade to violate the freedom and rights of Fijians. 

History of Fiji was manipulated and conveniently missed all atrocities. British treated Indians as economic slaves and threw them in front of ITaukei when they left. Indians were indeed treated as derelicts of the empire, used as scaffolding in building, and abandoned when the building stands up.

This book tells of all those missed stories and thus fills this historical chasm.
It is a must reading for all Fijians. You will be enlightened, shocked - and angered.

Rajendra Prasad, the author of Tears in Paradise (2004) and its sequel, Enslaved in Paradise (2018). Although being a non-academic, and researching via self-finance, he has done what no academic could achieve with all the university resources. He deserves an honorary university doctorate, and one of Fiji universities should volunteer and be honoured to launch his excellent book which shatters many historical myths.

The author’s caliber of research, depth of thought, tenor of writing and aptitude of language would be cause of envy to most, if not all Indo-Fijian historians in Fiji universities. The only historian deemed capable is retired Professor Brij Lal, who stands tallest, Prasad comes the second, and I struggle to see even a distant third.

Universities in Fiji could redeem this deficiency by offering honorary doctorate to a non-academic author, Rajendra Prasad and volunteering Fiji launch of this brilliant book. This would bestow more honour and dignity to the institution with initiative, rather than to Prasad who does not expect any kudos for what he deems was his obligation to his aggrieved forebears. 

Over to you, University of the South Pacific (USP), University of Fiji and Fiji National University (FNU) respectively. You may ignore this plea at your peril –and retain your right to be enslaved by ignorance in paradise!

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist, media commentator and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

“ENSLAVED IN PARADISE”: Why should you read this revealing book?

Thakur Ranjit Singh

In my last article, you were parked on that hill above the ancestral home of author, Rajendra Prasad in Vaqia, Ba, Fiji. This was where he was inspired to write. He writes about that hill in his first book, Tears in Paradise-Sufferings and struggles of Indians in Fiji-1879-2004:

The hill above our home is grazing land and overlooks the river, the valley and … the unbroken “Karia Pahaad” the Black Mountain range. I have often stood on this hill above our home. Even in sorrow, it has a refreshing and recuperative effect…Even in stillness one can almost feel the powerful presence of the spirits of sorrow and grief exuding from these sugarcane fields. They are the spirits of our ancestors… The sugar industry in Fiji was established with the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors...

Cover of outrageous and revealing second book, Enslaved in Paradise by author, Rajendra Prasad. This book challenges Girmit History as told by the British, and reclaims, restores and re-tells Fiji's Girmit History. The book shatters many historical misinformation and myths.

In his second book, Enslaved in Paradise-A History of Mammoth Betrayals of Fijians by the British, Chiefs and Leaders of Fiji 1879-2006, he continues with similar chain of thoughts…. 

I have grieved in the stillness of the night and, in the deep peal of thunder, I have heard the muffled cries of our ancestors, imploring us, their descendants, to ensure that their pain and suffering during the indenture period in Fiji, was not lost in the mist of time…

The cover of author, Rajendra Prasad's first book, Tears in Paradise, which also corrects many distortions and misinformation of Fiji's Girmit History as told by the British.

It is these muffled screams of those who were wronged, and who sobbed for justice, that Prasad was urged to pick up his pen and keyboard. The cries for justice urged this author to undertake research of seven years for his first book, Tears in Paradise. He alone took the task to fill this vacuum, and realign our Indo-Fijian history at his cost, time and resources. And with Enslaved in Paradise, he ventures to complete some unfinished business to reveal the deceit we went through, without realising it.

Most, if not all, Fiji history books by Fijians have been written by academics. This is because, with privileged comforts of university campuses, they have all the time in the world, while on full pay and with university resources, to do what this author did without all those advantages.

The author, Rajendra Prasad, a very private and humble person, who writes from heart and with passion to seek justice for atrocities caused to Girmitiyas- indentured labourers to Fiji.

For this mammoth task to be undertaken by an individual common citizen, away from university campus, unpaid, on your own time and resources, is a tough call. It is even harsher if done to heed the cries of your forebears. Because, then this is done from the heart, with passion, to tell an untold story, with no desire of financial or academic feather in the cap. This could have never been revealed, and in that language, from the comforts or confines of a university, as they would not allow that tenor or an act to challenge the victor’s history. What Rajendra Prasad did with his two books is an unheard feat to reclaim, restore and realign history from the viewpoint of the victims, challenging misinformation of the (British) victors. 

Despite his marvellous feats in intellectual fields, he does not belong to the rich and influential elite of the Indian or Fijian cocktail circuit in Auckland. He cannot be considered rich as he never ran after materialistic wealth, but invested in intellectual ones. You will never see him in any awards functions, black tie lectures and other elaborate community gatherings with well-connected elites. That is because he is a very humble and a private person.

Whatever modest savings he had has gone in seven years research of his first book “Tears in Paradise”. His latest book, ‘Enslaved in Paradise” exhausted his remaining retirement nest. Therefore please, be considerate, and do not expect a free copy if you had it so the last time.

Rarawai Sugar Mill, with Fiji Sugar Corporation farm estate in the foreground, with hills across Ba River, bordering Lautoka in the background. Through sugar milling and cane-farms, Australian CSR Company stole from the illiterate and vulnerable farmers to fill coffers of Australia and the Colonial Government. Both books by Rajendra Prasad reveal mammoth scale of exploitation and abuses of human rights that any civilised government or corporate would be ashamed of today.

Rajendra Prasad has never been to a university and is not an academic - but his work will put many academics to shame. You will never feel that the brilliance and revelations in those pages are coming from a non-academic. You can say, the blessings of his pitra, grandfather, Girmitiya Budhai from a rustic Vaqia have manifested in the pages of his two books. And that from somebody who is not a professor, a doctor – or even a graduate. Indeed, Prasad appears to be a Mana, a gift from Heaven!

Despite his remarkable accomplishments, he failed to register on the radar of local and international Indian awards panels (read, among others, Pravasi Bhartiya etc) that exist in various sizes and shapes. But that does not bother him as he does not write for rewards or recognition - it is a call from the heart and there is no desire to clamour for any honours.  But the fact remains he would have been more deserving than some others, and today such awards look wanting because of this exclusion. And of course, he lacks, and even shuns, that connection to influential kingmakers who lobby for those award.

When Professor Brij Lal graced Girmit Thanksgiving Day in Auckland in 2014. In this photo he is seen attending a function at Calvary Indian Church in Otahuhu , Auckland. In the photo are, from left, Rajendra Prasad (author), his wife Aruna Prasad, Shashi Kala Singh, Professor Bri Lal and his wife, Professor Padma Lal on extreme right.

And why should you read his book? Haven’t others told the same story? Not quite the same-and not in the same emphatic language. The difference is like punching with gloves on, with a generous supply of foam to cushion the force, as most academic writings do. Or punching with a naked fist for maximum thrust. I have yet to find a writer with balls, excuse the language, to say what he has said in both his books.

No academic attached to a university with the privileged position of using university resources could have got away by writing what he did. He would have been sacked and blacklisted. No university would allow him to realign History and correct and accuse the British for misrepresenting and distorting Fiji’s Girmit History. 

On academics, I however would like to make an exception. Professor Brij Lal is the most celebrated academic on Girmit History, who has written strings of books and publications, and had his footprints on Girmit issues before Prasad, who has extensively quoted him. This is because Professor Lal gave the world the term Girmitiya, the Indentured labourers, in academic circles. Therefore, nobody could write about Girmit without citing the Pundit and Guru, Professor Lal. So, as an academic, he stands out tall, and undisputedly, the tallest!

The greatest academic son of Girmit, Professor Brij Vilas Lal (right) presenting his book Chalo Jahaji to the author of Enslaved in Paradise, Rajendra Prasad. He was the Chief Guest in Fiji Girmit Foundation-NZ's Girmit Thanksgiving Day in Auckland in  May, 2014.

In restoring and reclaiming History, Prasad comes the second. He has retold the truth about British, the Great Council of Chiefs and Fiji’s celebrated leaders. Many would be aggrieved with his exposes. He can afford to be unconcerned. This is because neither has he to please his financiers, any influential friends, follow university protocols nor be held back by any other shackles. 

Prasad fearlessly tells the tales about Fiji’s untold history. He speaks boldly about wickedness of the British, chiefly collusions with largely self-serving, self-centred and arrogant leaders, ravaging Fiji’s political landscape and eventually degenerating it permanently into the ‘coup coup land’ slogan. 

I had the privilege of reading an advance manuscript of the book – and I assure you it will be an enlightening, educating, revealing – and shocking experience. It will also immensely annoy you for being screwed for generations, without you realising this.

It is for these reasons, you need to read his blockbuster book, destined to shatter many Historical myths.

Enslaved in Paradise is launched in Auckland on 12 August, 2018.

Hold your breath - and get a copy. Satyamev Jayate - truth shall prevail. 

And so it shall – with ENSLAVED IN PARADISE!

[Thakur Ranjit Singh hails from the same locality in Ba as the author Rajendra Prasad, and shares primary School-Vaqia Indian School and high school, D.A.V. College, Ba, Fiji, with him. He is a blogger - runs blog FIJI PUNDIT, is a journalist and media commentator. He lives in Auckland, and shares same passion as Prasad in diving deep for truth-and telling it without fear or favour. E-Mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

Rajendra Prasad: Visiting Fiji home of Author of ENSLAVED IN PARADISE

Thakur Ranjit Singh

After his blockbuster and eye-watering book, Tears in Paradise, Rajendra Prasad, the author from Vaqia, Ba, Fiji, has now ventured on its sequel – Enslaved in Paradise. This book tells of massive British treachery and mammoth deceit by Great Council of Chiefs and disappointment and betrayal by both ITaukei and Indo-Fijian leaders. The book tells of Fiji’s history never told as such by any academic or historian. This book will be launched soon in Auckland.

This article takes you on a visit to the humble rustic, sleepy Vaqia village on the banks of Ba River which made this author. He is so humble that I had to defy his directives - he had specifically told me not to write about him. Somebody has to speak. You need to know about the writer to appreciate his writings.

You are bound to encounter many historically significant location and incidents (in bold) while proceeding on this trip. Some things mentioned would be known to the older readers. However, to others it is historical and important, especially for the new generation having their roots in that part of Ba. This is their history and heritage-and parents need to tell them, as I was told - and I am telling you.

Let us commence on that enlightening journey.

Rajendra Prasad, a humble son of rustic Vaqia, Ba Fiji, and author of Tears in Paradise, and now the new blockbuster to be launched shortly-Enslaved in Paradise

You drive towards Rarawai Sugar Mill from a prosperous and thriving Ba Town. Yes, Ba gave Fiji’s most Gujarati Millionaires, but that story some other day. You turn left into now tar sealed Koronubu Road as you approach the former Colonial Sugar Refining (CSR), then South Pacific Sugar Mills (SPSM) and now FSC (Fiji Sugar Corporation) sugar mill.

On both sides of Koronubu Road is flat, fertile sugar milling company’s rich fields. The milling company reserved best land for its use, giving all others to small farm holders. One the left, on banks of Elevuka Creek is Kasai Taar (near Ba Dispensary) which used to be abattoir, slaughterhouse of cattle for the Sahebs -the colonial Europeans. Further on you approach Shri Sanatan Dharam Rarawai Cemetery on your left, which has been the final resting place for all my relatives, and many from my locality reading this.

The new book, to be launched on 12 August, 2018, "ENSLAVED IN PARADISE: A History of Mammoth Betrayals of Fijians by British, Chiefs and Leaders of Fiji 1876-2006"

Next to the Cemetery is Ghora Ghaat, the place at the creek to water and wash horses of colonial company’s sugar plantation. Now an Irish crossing (low-water crossing) has been constructed, as it used to be slippery stone stony crossing during my days at D.A.V.College, Ba between 1970 and 1973. At junction of Koronubu and Vunisamaloa Road is what we call Bara Istabal (Big Stable) which used to house sugar company’s horses and where my Nana (maternal grandfather) Dalip Singh used to work.

The wrath of Ba River 87 years ago , in 1931. This obelisk (monument) next to Rarawai Sugar Mill (in Company Ground, near FSC Hall and old swimming pool for sahebs and memsahebs) shows the height of flood waters in 1931 flood, which also resulted in many deaths.

You turn right into the dusty Vunisamaloa Road, and you are in rural Ba. You go past Pachees Nambar Lane (Number 25 Lane) on the right, where Bechu Prasad and Sons store used to be. Number 25 Lane used to and still houses mostly sugar mill labourers, or their descendants. This is my Nanihal (Naunihal) – home of maternal grandparents. As you go up Mehndi Khan hill, you will go past Rarawai Golflinks on the right. This used to be play-ground for colonial sahebs (white colonists), where maintenance of the golf course was treated as sugar –making cost by CSR Company, rectified in Lord Denning’s contact (that story some other time).  And my family home, Bansi Nivas is just east of the Golflinks. You veer right on to Vaqia Road from Vunisamaloa Road and go up Ram Dayal Beni hill, (pahaar) or what remains of the hill. This is because in early 1960s, most of the soil from this hill was used to fill-up and divert Elevuka Creek that used to run through middle of Ba town where we now have the taxi stand.

The tranquil Ba River, on the banks of which lies the village of Vaqia and birthplace of author, Rajendra Prasad. This calm river could take a monstrous phase and cause havoc when it rains heavily, flooding low-lying areas, causing much destruction. The monument above shows the height it can rise, to cause destruction in low-lying areas.

You get a picturesque view of Ba valley below as you go past the towering transmitter on the high plateau at the southern end of golf links. You proceed down Pali Maharaj steep hill (roll), and you are in the small village of Vaqia. You drive past Vaqia Cemetery which holds many memories of Vaqia village and the author’s family as well (read further in Tears in Paradise), go down Kartar Singh  steep slope (roll), so steep it was tar sealed.  And turn right on the dusty driveway at the bottom of the hill. That leads to the location of a humble home of Girmitiya Budhai, referred to as Daadaji in “Tears in Paradise.” This is homestead of the author’s paternal grandfather, Aja. This was inherited by Daadaji’s only son, Ram Lal Sardar, father of the author, RAJENDRA PRASAD. That is where he grew up, just a stone’s throw away from Vaqia River which turns into Ba River, in the shadows of Karia Pahar – the Black Mountain ranges.

The Ba Valley, overlooking from Rarawai Goldlinks, with Drasa hill of Lautoka in the background.

And just up that home is that legendary elevated hill, the grazing land on which he used to reflect on cries of Girmitiyas. It is these muffled screams of those who were wronged, and who cried for justice, that Prasad was urged to pick up his pen and keyboard. The cries for justice urged this author to undertake research of seven years for his first book, Tears in Paradise. He undertook to tell the missing historical facts written by British victors who conveniently and expediently missed their atrocities and violence on the Girmitiyas.

Rajendra Prasad took the task to fill this vacuum, and realign our Indo-Fijian history. And with Enslaved in Paradise, he ventures to complete some unfinished business to reveal the deceit we went through, by our own.

And that resulted in his two books-Tears in Paradise, and now its sequel, ENSLAVED IN PARADISE which will be amongst you shortly.

The Karia Pahar-the Black Mountain Range, with a prominent thumb (Joske's Thumb?), an icon viewed from Pali Maharaj Hill at Rarawai Golflinks, Ba, Fiji

Now that you are in Vaqia, please remain there, as FIJI PUNDIT, in the next article will reveal the profile of the author and the reason why you need to read his books.

Please wait on that hill…

Coming out soon……

[Thakur Ranjit Singh hails from the same locality in Ba as the author Rajendra Prasad, and shares primary School-Vaqia Indian School and high school, D.A.V. College, Ba, Fiji, with him. He is a blogger - runs blog FIJI PUNDIT, is a journalist and media commentator. He is self-employed, lives in Auckland, and shares same passion as Prasad in diving deep for truth-and telling them without fear or favour.]

A Myopic and Blinkered Auckland Transport Planners

Thakur Ranjit Singh

No-care attitude, inexperience, short-comings and short-sightedness.  These adjectives come to mind when we look at road chaos in Auckland. It appears Auckland Council, NZ Road Transport Authority and other agencies vested with  responsibility for making our roads safer and traffic more free-flowing seem to be doing exactly the opposite.

Hope two Phils also get to read FIJI PUNDIT blog or Facebook, or Auckland Council Watch, so they can get informed: Transport Minister, Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff.

As a school bus-driver-journalist with a window-seat, I have a better perspective and real-life experience than many bureaucrats, some very ill-experienced, giving questionable advice, making nonsensical decisions and making our life more difficult. The frustration is that nobody seems to take notice, and you seem to whipping a dead horse. There are other issues that I will bring up if somebody asks, but today I wish to say what I endure and encounter on a daily basis in West Auckland.

Waimauku, Whenuapai and Riverhead Chaos

Waimauku:

Thanks for the multi-million dollar roundabout at State Highway 16 / Muriwai Road/Waimauku Station Road junction. Traffic flows very nicely now. But… 
With new housing developments and increased student traffic at a growing hub of Waimauku, there are no designated bus stops. Collectively we pick and drop some 200 school students there – but, sorry, no bus stops. 

I drop students with my hazard lights on and urging speeding motorist with hand, to slow down for school buses, where they need to pass at 20km/hr. But nobody seems to know this rule.

It appears Auckland road transport planners, who need to make our roads safer and free-flowing, seem to be doing the opposite. Either they are inexperienced, do not care, or do not know. The problem is that they do not seem to listen, and you get a feeling you are whipping a dead horse. I have the same feeling.

Accidents are waiting to happen. Hope local National (Helensville) MP Chris Penk, who replaced Sir John, also reads my blog and social media to get informed, so he can pull up some bureaucrats for bus stands, which have been requested. However, we have been told that things move at snail’s pace in those managing roads and transport. Like, they took many many months to change Motorway 16 speeds limit on approaches to Waterview tunnel. This took a double-decker busload of NZ Road Transit and Auckland Council Officials to change the digital speed limit from “80” to “100!” As they say, it takes a village to change an electric bulb.
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Whenuapai

As there is no ramp linking busy State Highway 16 to Motorway 18, (wonder why) Brigham Creek Road substitutes as that link. This busy road runs through de-facto Whenuapai shopping centre, past the Airforce base. (Whenuapai Village is hidden behind Air Force base, nearer to Herald Island). Realising this is major link, one would assume planners would to be more sensible. But this is not so. We have bottleneck and traffic jams on single lane Brigham Creek Road because of poor planning at traffic lights at junction of Brigham Creek/Totara/ Mamari Roads.
  

Whenuapai has massive housing development, yet no bus stops have been planned or allocated. The traffic light creates a bottleneck on the major road linking Highway 16 to Motorway 18. Please read the article.

Going towards Air Force base at traffic lights there are three designated lanes: one turning left into Totara Road, one going ahead, connecting Helensville and Massey traffic to Motorway 18 and Hobsonville, and one turning right into a half-horse settlement into Mamari Road for a few houses.

My estimate is, some 4% of traffic turn left, less than half a percent turn right, and over 95% go straight towards Air Force base. A sensible planner would allow at least 2 lanes for straight traffic, to ease daily queues for major “ramp” linking State Highway 16 to Motorway 18. 

And like Waimauku, there are no bus stops for the ever-increasing houses and developments in and around that area.

Riverhead

Again, this is a hotbed of development and ever-increasing population. The newly –renovated and developed shopping centre has a new-humped pedestrian crossing. I would estimate over 100 students catch school buses and are dropped. 

Again, no bus stops have been designed or allocated in or around the newly decorated shopping centre. Accidents are waiting to happen.

Somebody is bound to get a jolt or get hurt on the humped crossing as there are no advance warnings of this-it comes as a surprise, wonder why. 

The road planners be they Auckland Transport or NZ Transit Authority, it appears they have novice planners, still learning their job in an expanding city, while sitting in their ivory towers. People on the field, like bus drivers (like me) who have experience on roads and could reason things out should sit in an advisory role in their planning committees.

The new roundabout in Waimauku seems to have made a positive effect on traffic -flow. However, an expanding hub, with some 200 students using buses have no bus stops in the whole Waimauku Village. Hope local national MP, Chris Penk, who replaced Sir John Key, is reading this.

But unfortunately I do not qualify –as neither do I belong to their school-boys club, nor I am one of their cronies. (And Paul Henry would say, neither do I look or sound like a ‘Kiwi”)

Over to you, two Phils (Twyford and Goff) and one Chris (Penk) – to provide us some solution, or please pass the towel to wipe the tears!

Cry, West Auckland.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist - runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT, his Facebook Page, Auckland Council Watch, is a media commentator and a critic of poor transport planning by those who do not seem to care or know. He is also a part-time school bus driver linking West Auckland, (from Waimauku) to Takapuna]

E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

WELCOME TO OUR VILLAGE, NEVE ARDERN-GAYFORD - AOTEAROA IS BLESSED WITH A WEE ANGEL

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Many months ago, I had already predicted on Radio Tarana that IT WILL BE A GIRL.

And in my Facebook posting, yours truly repeated that prophecy and prediction over 6 hours before the delivery again. On the day of Winter Solstice (shortest day) on 21 June, 2018, I repeated that it would be a bundle of little goddess - A GIRL.

And indeed, Neve Te Aroha Ardern-Gayford, as she was christened, was born later in the day. My Hindu calendar says 21 June, 2018 was “Durgashtami” (birth of Hindu Goddess Durga). So, it was another blessing to the nation.
Strangely, I could hardly find any other journalist or media which ventured on the challenge of a prediction.

Welcome to our village, wee one. Neve Te Aroha Ardern-Gayford (middle) with her parents- Jacinda Ardern (left) and Clark Gayford. FIJI PUNDIT had predicted that it would be a little goddess- A GIRL. And we have a wee angel, Neve.

FIJI PUNDIT is quite used to it - and was correct in past predictions as well.  Prior to the election, I had predicted that Jacinda Ardern would be the next Prime Minister after a Hail Mary pass from Andrew Little.

After the election and the first count, I predicted an additional seat to Labour and the Greens –and again was right.

And I had also predicted change in National Party leadership, and Bill English, (now Sir) would be rolled unless he left before 2020 election. And he left and there is a new National Party leader.

And on Diwali night of 19 October, 2017, I had predicted that Winston Peters would click left, and pick Labour. The rest is history. I wish to reflect back to that historical and eventful Diwali night:

As I was getting ready for Diwali Pooja at about 6pm when Winston was expected to announce his verdict, I was called by Shalen Shandil of Radio Tarana and had the Indian Newslink editor, Venkat Raman on the other line, to discuss our predictions. Both of us were election commentators and observers at Radio Tarana’s Facebook live streaming radio broadcast on Election Day on 23 September, 2017. And I predicted that Winston will choose left - the Labour. And Raman concurred with me on this prediction.

In my Diwali prayers I had requested Lakshmi Mata-the mother of wealth and prosperity, for better fortunes for all of us. And she did listen. We were delivered an incarnation of goddess of wealth and prosperity for all the people of New Zealand. Like that darkest night of Diwali, the nation longed to be rescued from the darkness. And additionally, Aotearoa needed to be rescued from the neglect and heartlessness of nine years.

Jacinda Ardern-an epitome of positivity and a Prime Minister with a heart and empathy with the poorer sections of NZ community. On Diwali night 2017, FIJI PUNDIT had wished Laxmi Mata for an angel who could deliver us away from darkness. And she was delivered as the Prime Minister.

This millennial Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern created many firsts, which among others included being somebody with a heart, very close to people, who could come down from her ivory tower and have empathy with the vulnerable, be a grassroots person and seamlessly holding the coalition Government together with her inclusive quality. But most important was the positivity that oozed out of her.

It was not difficult to predict it would be a girl, as girls have a heart of gold, they project positivity, and anybody with a girl, and a granddaughter can reflect the happiness they bring. Her elevation as PM brought joy and delight to the hitherto suffering poorer “underclass”. Since Jacinda came to power, this tenderness was passed to common people while, I presume the little one, was prodding and gently nudging this Hail Mary in her womb. 

As Jacinda is the age of my millennial daughter Ragni Singh Chand, I feel I have also become a grandfather (Nana). And my only granddaughter Rania Roma Chand has got a little baby cousin sister, enhancing the inclusivity that the baby’s mother promotes. This is similar to what the Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir, Auckland, Pravin Kumar reflected on my Facebook prediction: You will soon become a proud nana (maternal grandfather) for the 2nd time. 

And how true he was. 

The pleasure for this young couple, will be shared by all who have had experience of being parents. NZ Herald of the day after, (June 22, 2018) summed it fittingly:

The birth of the baby is…a demonstration of what is possible here. A woman young enough to have her first baby is Prime Minister of this country. It is almost unprecedented, remarkable enough to attract attention world around.

And a letter-writer in NZ Herald quipped in praising PM’s Baby for cracking glass ceiling for girls:

Girls can now dream of holding the highest office in the land - and holding their baby at the same time

FIJI PUNDIT, Nana (grandfather) to Rania and Neve Te Aroha Ardern-Gayford joins in unison with the nation to proclaim: Welcome to our village, wee one!

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator and political observer. He runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT, and lives in Auckland, New Zealand. E-Mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

PART 2: FIJI GIRMIT COUNCIL - Moving Ahead and rejuvenation -Tiger Zinda Hai

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Part 1 of the article spoke about the history and plight of Fiji Girmit Council (FGC), and its story, of being an injured tiger needing compassion: Ek Tha Tiger - once it was something.

This article is about how this tiger is alive and able to come kicking if its 10 affiliates come together to remove the thorns in its feet. Yes, it is alive- Tiger Zinda Hai - it can be great once again.

Girmit Centre is our heritage, but unfortunately it is not receiving the support and attention from some member organisations. All affiliates need to start taking interest in reviving the centre to its past glory, and thus pay homage to our Girmitiyas. It is requested all affiliated consider recommendations given below and enable this heritage a worthy memory to our forebears.

With 12.5 acres of land, and over 8 acres still unused there is a great deal of potential. We call upon Fiji Indian Diaspora and those Girmitiya children with skills, resources and pride in their heritage to add value to it, in light of recommendations below. Hence, let us join hands, and put our heads (and wallets) together to move ahead.

British Indian Raj and its successor Indian Governments after independence had virtually disinherited and forgotten its stolen children in Fiji.

With renewed interest of Indian Government in Pacific in general and Fiji in particular, this is an opportunity for the Indians to appease the ghost of Girmit. [This of course is due to counteracting Chinese influence in the Pacific region India and the Western World had idnored].

It would be highly commendable for Modi’s BJP Indian Government to redeem India’s past desertion and neglect of Fiji Indians for some 14 decades. After all, those over 35,000 Girmitiyas who chose or were forced to settle back in Fiji, were Indian citizens. We pray India to give a helping hand to realise some or most of the recommendations below. 

Suggested Recommendations:

1) ORGANISE AND AWAKEN AFFILIATES , AND ORGANISE 140 YEARS GIRMIT CARNIVAL:

Sanatan, Muslim League, Arya Samaj, Sikh Association, Gujarat Samaj, TISI Sangam, Ahmadiyya Muslim, Andhra Sangam, Council of Churches and Kabir Panth - they all need to be reminded to fulfil their obligations, pay membership levy and appoint credible delegates. Those not wishing to join or pay may send non-voting delegates, and those wishing to opt out should be given that discretion. 

FGC needs to reassemble and come with strategic plans for next 12 months that includes 140th year celebration, and also a mid-term plan (5 years) and long term plan (10 year).

For 140th year Carnival, I recommend an experienced and very capable candidate, National President of TISI, Mr Sadasivan Naicker be appointed by the reconvened Executives as Chairman of 140th Girmit Celebration Committee. 

Rajendra Prasad (left) Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ and Vinod Patel, Trustee of Fiji Girmit Council at plaque commemorating 125 years of Girmit at Fiji Girmit Centre. It is recommended a similar plaque be unveiled by PM of the day on 14 May, 2019 for 140th Anniversary, and that day be declared a Public Holiday in Fiji.

2) REQUEST FIJI GOVERNMENT TO DECLARE 14 MAY AS PUBLIC HOLIDAY FOR GIRMIT THANKSGIVING DAY

Fiji Girmit Council be requested to add voice and already submitted plea from Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ to declare 14 May as Girmit Thanksgiving Day in Fiji with a public Holiday. 

3) CONVERTING CENTRE FOR INCOME GENERATION

Immediate capital improvements at the centre should make it attractive for wedding and other events needing catering facilities. A modern kitchen with all associated facilities be added to make it into a suitable wedding, social, cultural, corporate and religious venue, among others.

4) PROVIDING ACCOMODATION FACILITIES

As a supplement to providing wedding venue, especially for visiting overseas people, the centre should aim to provide accommodation facilities. Girmitiya descendants who are architects and builders/contractors, be requested to design and build living facilities they can donate/subsidise and name after their Girmitiya forebears, e.g. Bansi, Muthu Sami, Rehman unit, etc.

5) GIRMIT VATIKA (Orchard)

Develop an orchard/forest/green area by dedicating at least one acre (may be more) of landscaped garden. It should be planted with, among others, income-generating plant, trees and fruit plants close to Girmitiyas. Among others, they may include Sandalwood, Mango, Bel, Imli (tamarind), Banana, Jackfruit, Salipha, Neem, Kaju, Jamun, Guava, Balawa (pundanus), bamboo etc.
Totaram Sanadhya may be perhaps one unsung Girmit hero who need to be recognised. Therefore, we may name it (Totaram) Sanadhya Vatika

This Plaque was erected and unveiled by Prime Minister of Fiji in 2004 by Laisenia Qarase during 125th Anniversary commemoration of  arrival of first Girmitiyas. It is recommended that for 140th Anniversary on 14 May 2019, a carnival be organised with wider Girmit-related activities. Prime Minister of the day be requested to unveil a plaque and also declare 14 May as Girmit Thanksgiving  Day Public Holiday.

6) EXPAND LIBRARY- SHIFT BRIJ AND PADMA LIBRARY TO CENTRE

Expand the existing Library, and request the shift of Brij and Padma Library at Saweni to Girmit centre. Special plea should go to the new Government to remove travel ban on Professor Brij Lal, and he (including Padma) be invited to formally open the Library as part of 140 years celebration.

7) FGC TO BE DECLARED POLITICALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY NEUTRAL

While the inaugurating document declares that FGC is apolitical and religiously-neutral, it needs to be reiterated because of some misinformation and disinformation. People need to be assured of its impartial and neutral stance in all issues. The last thing FGC should be used is as a launching pad for political, religious and academic opportunism.

8) GIRMIT MUSEUM

Girmit Centre should be housing all items relating to Girmit period, and a museum should be introduced. People should be requested to donate all old items to be housed in the Girmit Centre for preservation for future generations.

This is a wood "Kholu" at Girmit Centre. It is is rotated by bullocks to extract oil from sesame (till) and make other vegetable oils. It was gifted to Girmit Council by Muthuswami Pillay, a Girmitiya and his sons Nadesan Pillay, Ram Sami Pillay and Keshwan Pillay of Tagi Tagi, Tavua. Similarly, we could collect other old items to develop a Girmit Museum for new generations to see how our Girmitiyas lived their modest lives. We need to preserve all the artifacts and older Girmit articles at the FGC Museum. It is hoped we can get Indian Government support in this area.

9) BOLLYWOOD FILM SET/LOCATION

Request be made to Bollywood to develop part of the Girmit Centre site for film/documentary set. Suggested set includes CSR Coolie Lane - living quarters of Girmitiyas, thatched houses (bure), Sugar mill, railway and sugar transport modes, and other scenario of Girmit. This could be used for films and documentaries and should be gifted to FGC as part of the expanded museum.

10) SYRIA MONUMENT

Syria Monument was commenced by Indian High Commission, Suva in Nasilai Village, Rewa, Fiji prior to 2006, and was halted after initial foundation because of political events. It is recommended that Indian Government now be requested to erect it at Girmit Centre as it would be very accessible to tourists and all Fiji Indian Diaspora visiting Fiji via nearby Nadi Airport. Nasilai Villagers have already been rewarded by Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ with over $60,000 development in the village hall, toilet and kitchen facilities. It would be very fitting to have this monument in Lautoka, which would further enhance the Girmit Museum.

Future Action

We call on the descendants of all Girmitiyas worldwide to show unity and resolve in adding colour, vibrancy, respect and honour to those who went away weeping, and longing for our happiness. At least we owe it to them.

I suggest the new energised Executive Committee of FGC should discuss the above recommendations, among others and come up with a strategic plan to make the centre a pride to the memory of Girmitiyas.

And as earlier stated, we approach and request Indian Government to help us retain memory of Indians who were their children stolen by the Girmit system.
Let’s do this - let us make this dream into a reality.
Yes, Tiger Zinda Hai and will sprint again.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is Secretary and Founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ which has successfully marked Girmit Remembrance Day in NZ. They had raised Girmit awareness worldwide and requested Fiji Government to declare 14 May as Girmit Public Holiday. Thakur is a journalist, a media commentator, and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT]