A Salute to Fiji’s forgotten Girmitiyas on 14 May, 2019 - 140 years on

A Salute to Fiji’s forgotten Girmitiyas - 140 years on

Thakur Ranjit Singh

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND is hosting 140th Girmit Thanksgiving Day on Friday 10 May, 2019 from 6.30 - 9.30 pm, at ARST Community Hall, 53 Skipton Street, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand.

May 14 is a significant day in the calendar of Indo-Fijian history. It can be variously recognized but its foremost significance is the arrival of first ship Leonidas, with 479 Indian indentured immigrants, who we call Girmitiyas. That significant year was 140 years ago, in 1879.

This followed 82 other ships that transported over 60,000 Girmitiyas to Fiji. Indenture system (Girmit) came to an end on December 31, 1919 after a bitter struggle against the recruitment of Indian indentured labourers that saw the might of Mahatma Gandhi ultimately triumph over that of the British Government. Some 35,000 of these people decided to settle back in Fiji, and their descendants now make a distinct race of people with a distinct culture, language - and achievements. They are us-FIJI INDIANS

Sir Anand Satyanand, Chief Guest for 140th Anniversary of Girmit. He is a proud son of Girmit, tracing his roots to Fiji. He has been a lawyer, a former Judge and former Governor General of New Zealand.

As 14 May 2019 marks 140th Anniversary of the first arrival in 1879, I am sure many in Fiji Indian Diaspora are ignorant of its importance. I do not blame them for their lack of knowledge of history of their heritage, as our school history fails to recognize and acknowledge this fact, which appears to have been stolen from successive Fiji Indian generations. 

Americans and Canadians honour their warriors on Thanksgiving Day, New Zealanders and Australians do this on ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), and New Zealanders and especially Maori do this on Waitangi Day. 

Leonidas, the first sail ship that brought indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) to Fiji on 14 May, 1879. Therefore 14 May 2019 is 140th anniversary of that first journey. We urge Fiji Indians to develop pride for those who sacrificed and suffered for us. The vision of Girmitiyas has given us this life of comfort away from their impoverished villages they left behind, with a dream of better future for the new generation. At least we owe this burden of gratitude to mark one day for them-and salute them for what we have now.

And what do Fiji Indians have? Why cannot we set aside at least one day in a year to think and honour those who sacrificed their lives and gave us this better life through their suffering, sacrifices – and vision? While the soldiers fought their wars in battlefields, Fiji Girmitiyas fought economic wars for the British on the killing cane-fields of Fiji.

It is for the sake of their history and rich heritage and legacy that Fiji Indians need to inculcate pride of the new generation in their history. We need to tell our children and grandchildren about the stories of Girmit so that they know where they have descended from and how full of suffering and sacrifices have been those Girmit journeys.

To realise this dream, a group of Fiji Indians in Auckland New Zealand, have taken steps to reconnect, reclaim and restore Indo-Fijian history. FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND has been formed six years ago, among other things, to regularly organize commemoration of Girmit in New Zealand and also become an advocacy organisation representing interest of Fiji Indians in New Zealand.

And we have been regularly marking 14 May as Girmit Remembrance Day and enhancing this knowledge not only in New Zealand but in Fiji Indian Diaspora. Girmit Foundation is already gearing on to commemorate 140th Anniversary in Auckland on Friday 10 May, 2019. They have a Chief Guest who really brings to reality the theme that Girmitiyas were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in extraordinary circumstances. Through their suffering-and vision they have been able to leave behind a legacy they can be proud of – one of their sons honoured their memories by being appointed New Zealand’s Governor General.

Laborers in front of a sugar mill, getting ready for their back-breaking task of doing work for the CSR Company on very little pay and very difficult conditions. They endured so much for a better life for us - and we salute them for it. But how many of us really appreciate and remember them?

Yes, Sir Anand Satyanand will be our Chief Guest. A  New Zealander lawyer, judge and ombudsman, he became our country’s 19th Governor General for five years from 2006 until 2011.  On both sides of his family, his linkages are to Fiji and to India and he has continued to maintain them.  Both sets of his grandparents came from different parts of India (Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh) to Fiji under the Girmit system.  Sir Anand has always been proud to acknowledge this background. He is an excellent and eloquent speaker, and we are honoured to have a Girmiya grandson addressing us, who make all of us proud of the rich Girmit legacy.

Speakers, among others, would include New Zealand politicians. The evening’s programme will remember sacrifices, progress and vision of our forebears through oratory, poems, quiz, music and achievements of some Girmitiyas and their organisations. This will be a journey through memory lane which will provide exposure to a history that has been stolen from us, and remains yet to be told. 

The Trustees of Girmit Foundation have also ventured on a culture that is prevalent in NZ- the new generation, or Millennials, like NZ PM, taking the helm, and driver’s seat. Therefore in this spirit, the older Trustee have passed on the baton to younger  executive team.

The new youthful team is led by its youth Trustee, Krish Naidu, as President, assisted by Kirti Singh and Nikhil Kumar as Vice Presidents and Shiraaz Shah is Treasurer. Ashfaaq Khan is the Chairperson, with Anji Naidu as Marketing and Communications Officer. The youthful team has Krishneel Prasad as Secretary, Radhika Priya as his assistant, Param Rana and Morisha Ali are Advocacy and Community Liaison, Ashwant Sahay as executive member, and Radha Kanhai Reddy in the organising Committee. The trustee have full confident in this rejuvenated and youthful team.

We are aware that there are at least five other organisations in New Zealand who will commemorate this day. Fiji Indians in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will also rise up to remember our Girmitiyas.

Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand has been commemorating GIRMIT REMEMBRANCE DAY to honour 14 May, regularly. This is the banner for our event in 2015 in Auckland, when tragic sinking of Syria Ship was our main theme.

As our people in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand have taken lead, we Fiji Indians across the world especially those in Canada and USA, also need to commemorate the sacrifices of the pioneer generation with solemnity and sobriety on May 14, paying homage to those who laid their lives on the altar of sacrifice. I urge religious, social and cultural organizations to undertake this mission at the community level annually and also appeal to individual families to offer prayers and recitals in their homes in memory of those whose lives were tragically lost. 

Let us commemorate and celebrate their legacy and humanity. We call on all Fiji Indians, all children of Girmit to rise on 14 May to remember and appreciate the sacrifices of our girmitiyas, and reclaim our heritage and history.

We are what they wanted us to be. In   commemorating their memories, let us ignite that undying flame of desire and gratitude in our community, particularly in our children, that they are able to consciously and appreciatively inherit the legacy of the Girmitiyas – a legacy of struggle, endurance, resilience and achievement.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a third generation Girmitiya son, a journalist, a blogger, a media commentator and former Publisher of Fiji’s Daily Post. He is A Founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand. He runs his blog site: FIJI PUNDIT, available at www.fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz]

Jacinda Ardern displays political brilliance - and expediency in ditching Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Jacinda Ardern displays political brilliance and expediency in ditching Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Thakur Ranjit Singh

There is a Fiji Indian anecdote, bordering on stupidity –and hilarity, where an armed robber breaks into a rich lady’s mansion, and demands, putting a loaded gun at her head:

“Choose - life or money”

The rich lady replies” Take my life, as I will need the money in old age.”  

A compassionate Prime Minister who set a new standard on how leaders need to manage major human crisis and grief. She could have abused  her elevation of popularity to push for CGT but opted for  pragmatism, political reality and respect view of majority.

Jacinda Ardern had faced the same choices- either be blamed for ditching her promise, or losing an opportunity to do anything good for the underclass at all. And you can only do that if you survive as a government.

Like the rich lady being robbed, she had two choices. Either choose survival of her government, and coalition deal, and chance of a second Labour term, or fulling the promise of CGT, winning the battle, but losing the war, and a second chance. 

She had to choose from keeping on holding a very contentious and controversial hot potato, or blowing the wind out of Simon Bridges and National Party’s 2020 election sail.  National Party was already gearing up to have CGT as Ace of trumps for next election. Now that sail has fallen flat (wait for Simon to follow suit!) without any wind from CGT.

Jacinda Ardern is accused of not using her star status to push for CGT. She is damned if she does it,  and she is damned if she does not do it. But she used her judgement to survive and to redirect her abundance of energy and talents into projects that can realistically be achieved. 

I disagree, especially with those opinion writer pundits of doomsday who say the Prime Minister failed the country, failed CGT supporters within her party, and failed to use her popularity to sell this issue.

She showed her brilliance, lost a battle, but won a war. You can be certain that she was afforded the best advice, mostly from Aunty Helen Clark, (and Cullen) who themselves rejected CGT during their nine years in government. From their past experience, (read Cunliffe and Little) Labour knew that the details of CGT was hurting them at polls, hence they found it safer to park it at roadside, parked in Tax Working Group. And reviewing and weighing it from economic as well as political reality, they permanently parked it there. And in doing so, deprived the National Party of leadership stability, and heads may roll there soon.

National Party Leader, Simon Bridges is the biggest loser in ditching of CGT, as his trump card for 2020 election has been lost, and his leadership is in doubt - he may not last long.

Labour Party rightly opted for other ways to fill this vacuum, like transfer of wealth though Working for Families. Ardern admitted there were other steps that would be taken to improve the fairness of the tax system, pointing to steps the Government had taken to tighten rules around land speculation and their upcoming review of “negative gearing"(transfer of rental losses to reduce income tax from other sources) rules.

Her opponents need to appreciate that Labour Party realizes a CGT is not the only way to address inequality.  The Budget is coming in May, and in words of the old cliche –“there is more than one way to skin a cat.” The robust debate helped by media, resulted in shedding light in other alternative areas. Criticism of NZ First and Winston Peters is misplaced. They deserve credit for articulating the concerns of small and large businesses, from within Government. The MMP allows them the veto right, and they rightly used that.

And Labour has no mandate to impose CGT.  With their 36.9 per cent of the vote and Greens 6.3 per cent, the total makes to 43.2. And this is not a mandate. And looking at National at 44.4 per cent, opposition to CGT is even greater than Labour and Greens total combined. Hence, rejecting this, Jacinda Ardern was correct to say that there was a lack of mandate from New Zealanders for CGT.

Indeed, MMP is not a laughing matter. Under it, Winston Peters was perfectly right to veto CGT. Labour and Greens, with combined total of  43.2 percent had no mandate to impose CGT. NZ First deserve credit for articulating the concerns of small and large businesses, from within Government. That is the beauty of MMP!

The credit that Jacinda gets as a caring leader is that she listened and acted on what she heard. The main purpose of the proposed tax was to fix housing shortages and dampen house price inflation, but the tax working group was unable to show that imposing a capital gains tax would achieve these goals. Hence she used wisdom and judgement.

So you are saying that Jacinda Ardern is a coward and secured Labour Party a second chance by ditching CGT? And so you are saying she should be the sacrificial lamb at the CGT butchery and deny Labour Party the chance to implement numerous of other progressive, benevolent and socially conscious policies that National ignored by being “a Government of landlords”?

NZ Herald cartoon depicting pragmatism, judgement and brilliance of Jacinda Ardern. She chose not to be a sacrificial lamb, to be slaughtered in CGT butcher house. She chose survival of her government so she could come for a second term to deliver to her voters.

So, like that greedy rich lady wishes at the beginning of this article, do you also wish Jacinda Ardern to lose her government? Then how would she be saviour to so many who depend on her to reduce the inequality gap, among others?  Go ahead, make my day, answer, please.

How wrong was Fran O’Sullivan of NZ Herald opinion writer on Saturday 20 April, 2019, when she said:

Fortune praised her rallying skills. Ardern has those in abundance. Pity they were not used this week.

And on her heels, the Editorial writer of NZ Herald, John Roughen, in his column on 22 April, 2019 echoed similar negativity:

Labour has shown this will always be a timid Government. If it could not do a capital gains tax with all the stars well aligned, it will not do much at all.

Indeed, how off the mark were these celebrated writers of NZ Herald that they need to be corrected by an ethnic, Fiji Indian blogger, FIJI PUNDIT which has been rejected by NZ mainstream media.

They need to read and comprehend this article. 

Ardern’s face was projected onto Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, that is the level of respect she had gained with her handling of terrorism attack in Christchurch.

I repeat that Ardern has been brilliant, compassionate, judgmental, and wise, has shown pragmatism, recognized political reality and will survive to redirect her abundance of energy, talents and compassion into projects that can realistically be achieved. 

And to attain these, one needs to be politically expedient. That is why she makes it to Time and Fortune magazines!

I salutes the Prime Minister for her brilliance that many cannot see.

[About the Author-Thakur Ranjit Singh is a Kiwi Fiji Indian media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ TO MARK 140TH GIRMIT ANNIVERSARY IN AUCKLAND

The Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand is gearing to mark the 140th Anniversary of the arrival of first Indian indentured labourers in Fiji, which was on 14 May, 1879.

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ will have its commemoration of 140th Girmit Thanksgiving Day at Skipton Hall in Auckland, New Zealand on the evening of Friday 10th May, 2019. You all are invited to come to salute our Girmitiyas -ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ACHIEVED EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN EXTRAORDINARY ENVIRONMENT.

It will be a day to commemorate the suffering and sacrifices of the Girmitiyas and celebrate triumph of the human spirit over formidable adversities.

This event will take place on 10 May 2019 at ARST Skipton Hall, 53 Skipton Street, Mangere East, Auckland.

The Foundation was established in 2013 with the sole objective of reconnecting, reclaiming and restoring Fiji Indian history, which has failed to echo in successive generations as it should have. This event is organized to provide opportunity to every Indo-Fijian family to remember and pay respects to their Girmitiya forebears for the sacrifices they made and the legacy they left behind for successive generations.

It is also the Foundation’s fervent hope and desire to bring enlightenment of their foundational Girmit history to Fiji Indians who have all grown in ignorance of their tragic but fascinating history. In addition to this, it is their fervent desire to honour some of the descendants of the Girmitiyas for their achievements in various fields. 

In History of New Zealand, Girmit Remembrance was never marked regularly till the Foundation was established, and held commemoration from 2013 to 2015 inclusive. In 2013, elderly Fiji Indians (those over 80) were recognised, honoured and given Girmit Commemorative Medals.

In 2014, they had most eminent and celebrated son of Girmit, Professor Brij Lal as their chief guest and keynote speaker.

LEONIDAS  -the first Girmit transporting ship which arrived in Levuka, Fiji on 14 May, 1879. But it was not able to dock on that day, and docked into harbour on 15 May. That is why some use the date of 15 May. But officially, we recognize 14 May as the designated date.

In 2015, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs of Fiji, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was the Chief Guest at Girmit Remembrance Day in Auckland. The theme for the occasion was “Commemorating the Syria Tragedy”, which included remembering, acknowledging and paying tribute to the Nasilai Villagers who risked their lives to render assistance in the rescue efforts, mounted by Dr William McGregor on that fateful night of May 11, 1884. Hon. Kubuabola led a delegation from Fiji, including staff of Fiji High Commission based in Wellington to honour the occasion on behalf of the Government of Fiji. 

Following this event, the Foundation led a delegation to Nasilai Village on October 15, 2015 to formally thank the Nasilai villagers for the role their ancestors had played in the rescue efforts, which saved hundreds of lives. It was a solemn occasion, reliving a tragic event but provided us an opportunity to meet the descendants to express our appreciation, though belatedly. The villagers honoured the visitors with traditional welcome and subsequent discussions led to undertaking of important renovations and improvements to the village communal facilities, costing us over $80,000. 

Syria Tragedy - the remains of Syria Ship which was wrecked on Nasilai Reef in May, 1884. A delegation from FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ made a pilgrimage to Nasilai Village in Rewa, Fiji in 2015 and made improvements worth some $FJ 100,000 to the village hall (See story elsewhere on FIJI PUNDIT),as a show of goodwill to the descendants of the villagers who helped rescue the Indian indentured labourers on the ship. Some 57 Indians lost their lives.

The Foundation is also gearing up to focus on some issues which Fiji Indians need a voice in, playing a wider role by having a closer link with New Zealand Government, the government agencies, political and community leaders.
There is a revamped, passionate, professional and diverse youth executive team who are coming on board, empowered to carry the banner and baton of Girmit and create awareness in the new generation. One may say, like New Zealand Prime Minister, Fiji Indian Millennials  in Auckland have been given an opportunity to take the lead and torch of Girmit. 

The Foundation considers it important to enlist the support of our community to ensure that our tragic but fascinating Girmit history is not lost with the passage of time. Accordingly, public awareness was vital and the commemorative events that commenced some six years ago lit and fanned the spark, which has ignited the desire in our people to reconnect and revive our Girmit history.

At least five commemoration events are planned for Auckland to mark and salute the pioneer Indian indentured labourers who were ordinary people who achieved extraordinary feats. And this is evident in a new breed and race of people, who originated from India, but have created a distinct Pacifica culture, with best of both worlds.

Girmitiyas in front of a sugar mill during those Girmit Days. Note the railway lines in the foreground and railway carts in the background.

There have been requests to Girmit Foundation to join with Global Girmit organisations overseas. However, NZ Girmit Foundation feels first they need to make it effectively work here at grassroots level before venturing overseas. Most of the so-called International Girmit organisations appear to be an academic exercise and some are merely social-media, or paper organisations. 

The Foundation believes that without an effective home-grown tangible and functioning Girmit organisation like the Foundation, it is pointless being part of any overseas paper organisations, which does nothing tangible on the ground. Hence there is a desire to empower Fiji Indians to extend this organisation as an advocacy body for Fiji Indians in New Zealand, who, as stated earlier, while being Indians also happen to be a distinct Pacifica people - Fiji Indians.

The Foundation wishes to work on ground with Fiji Indians in New Zealand, and also create awareness in Canada and USA to arm the new generation with their original identity, and advise them the importance of reconnecting and restoring their Girmit history as a tribute to the Girmitiyas.

Thakur Ranjit Singh, a founding trustee of the Foundation will travel to Fiji later this year to initiate and inaugurate Totaram Sanadhya Vatika, a Girmit Botanical Garden at Fiji Girmit Centre in Lautoka. This will be as a part of DAV Reunion in Fiji, in association with Fiji Girmit Council.

Since its inception in 2013, FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ organised regular Girmit Commemoration at Skipton Hall, Mangere, Auckland from 2013 to 2015 inclusive. This was the banner for 2015 commemoration which has Syria Tragedy as its theme. We had Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola as the chief guest. We are still awaiting out request to Fiji Government to declare 14 May as a Public Holiday in Fiji in honour of the pioneer Girmitiyas.

The Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation are respected member of Fiji Indian community in Auckland. They are Master Shiu Charan, Sardar Harnam Singh Golian, author Rajendra Prasad, Janab Nek Mohammed, Pundit Ram Kumar Sewak, Krish Naidu and journalist Thakur Ranjit Singh. 

The foundation earnestly seeks participation of all descendants of Girmitiyas to show their gratitude to the vision and sacrifice of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in an extraordinary environment.
The request of Girmit Foundation to Fiji Government to have Girmit history in Fiji school curriculum has already been implemented. The Foundation is now awaiting Fiji Government of their request of declaring 14 May as a Public Holiday in Fiji.

More information on the 140th anniversary would come in the next edition. Please reserve the evening of Friday 10th May, 2019 to pay homage to those who made Fiji Indians into who they are today.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is the founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ and is a media commentator. He has a passion for his forebears, and has written various articles on them in the past.]

WILL NEW ZEALAND COME OUT SPINELESS IN ITS TROUBLED CHINA RELATIONS?

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Weekend Herald of Saturday 16 February, 2019 carried many revealing articles and opinions on New Zealand’s current karate kick with China.

New Zealand and China Flag respectively, with the Beehive in the background. Chinese flag is higher, it however does not mean China will be allowed to blackmail and push New Zealand lower with bait of trade and tourism and relegated as a lower and weaker partner. 

W.D. Howard of Pakuranga implied a conspiracy theory and asked:

Will somebody please tell us why China is so desperate for Huawei to set up in New Zealand, if indeed it is?

HUAWEI: The apparent source and cause of tension, as it was pushed out by NZ as security concerns. Some raise question about a conspiracy theory as to why China is so relentless to have Huawei's access to NZ's sensitive issues.

 Len Houwere of New Plymouth was more forceful and lamented our one-minded obsession with Chinese trade:

..if our only measure of value is selling our commodities and buying the next-flat screen TV as cheaply as possible, we might one day discover we have  bargained  away more than  a trade  and deficit…Independent foreign policy with China  might well become an oxymoron as we bend over backwards  to appease this hyper-sensitive  intolerant regime. Not having a spine might make that act easier.

Indeed, New Zealand needs to show it has a strong spine to stand tall, and heed the Labour Party history.  Ardern’s Labour-led Government is advised to follow the path of dare paved by David Lange in removing “z” out of ‘ANZUS. Lange, as a tiny David challenged USA, the Goliath over nuclear ship visits to NZ.
  

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters (left) and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who collectively are responsible for NZ's external affairs. Would a National Government taken the same stance on Huawei? Should not Opposition work with the Government when it comes to external foreign matters and wider interests of New Zealand is concerned? Why is national Party politicising this matter? Isn't National party breaching a long-established protocol?

We hope Jacinda Ardern has inherited advisors with daring from those days when we stood up to a superpower- and stood tall. We have the same challenge now. New Zealand has a habit of punching above its weight in international scene. Be it rugby, human-rights, transparency, clean-green image, ease to do business with, treatment of original settlers and progressive foreign policies, among others. While trade is very important, losing soul for a few dollars more has never been the character of New Zealand. Now is the time we need to show resolve and not be bullied, otherwise we will be seen to be bargaining away our sovereignty in exchange for a good trade balance with China. 

As for the views of David Mahon, who has lived and worked in Chine for 32 years, hope they are not blinkered and he appreciates China’s cheque-book “colonialism” in smaller, poorer and weaker Pacific nations. Two such, among others are Papua New Guinea and my birth –country, Fiji.  Chinese go with blank cheques to invest in infrastructure, with a provision that they may take over once these cash-strapped nations are unable to pay those debts. They have already “colonised” a few infrastructure with such unethical dealings.

Are relations between New Zealand and China in tatters? Is Opposition National Party politicising this matter which may end up hurting Kiwis?

And their respect for environmental issues is highly questionable, as in Fiji they are currently desecrating mangroves in defiance of law, in building a hotel and tourist infrastructure in Malolo Island, west of Nadi Airport.

One may look in the crystal ball and prophesy how National Party would have acted on Huawei issue if they were in government. FIJI PUNDIT predicts they would have walked the path Labour did. However, Opposition needs to politicise such issues and blow their trumpet to show the government in poor light.

Some National Party politicians are making a big deal, blaming the government for a fall back and decline on Chinese tourists to Aotearoa because of the Huawei fiasco. In fact reduction in some tourist numbers appear to be God-sent temporary reprieve for some of our overloaded tourism infrastructure.

In some areas, the country has more visitors than it can handle. Concerns have already been raised about over-tourism, so a temporary slowdown in Chinese visitor numbers is a blessing in disguise.

Furthermore, Chinese will be shooting in their own feet if they boycott NZ. So many Chinese airlines make a beeline to Auckland Airport. Chinese tourism in New Zealand is a cash cow for them as they net millions. Much is said of Hong Kong Airlines pulling out of Auckland. Such commercial decisions are long-term commercial decisions and not mere knee-jerk reaction just because Huawei was rejected. Many hardly know we had such an airline. Cathay Pacific? Yes, that is the Hong Kong airline we know, and is here to stay.

We know Cathay Pacific as official carrier of Hong Kong. What is the big deal about little-known privately-owned Hong Kong Airlines pulling out of Auckland?

So many Chinese business operators have opened and invested in Mandarin -speaking tourism trade and infrastructure here. They have made a concrete-jungle of China and they love clean and green New Zealand. Chinese still love NZ more than Huawei. So much that they will take travel advisory of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand with a pinch of salt. There have been no concerns in the past and a hastily concocted warning notice on potential risks to Chinese tourists travelling to New Zealand will be taken with scorn it deserves. Chinese tourists have nothing to fear - and history supports them.

There is a hysteria created by the National Party. NZ will still have millions of visitors from Taiwan, South Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries, and we will still have our hands and facilities full – with millions of them.

And a strong spine to stand tall if we ignore the hysteria created by the Opposition.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a Fiji Indian media commentator based in Auckland, and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT]

When a Mandir Delivers Beyond the Call of its Religious Duties

Thakur Ranjit Singh

We have multitudes of religious societies and organisations in New Zealand. They are performing commendable duties of religious teachings, promoting their respective Gods, and in doing so, handsomely collecting funds for upkeep of their respective institution. Some have accumulated loads of money. Nothing wrong with that, in fact very admirable, if properly utilised.

Let the walk begin: Devotees and volunteers in front of Mandir before the walk.

However, one among very few, that stands out from the above categorising is SHRI RAM MANDIR at Brick Street, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand.

Being a Hindu institution, it really stands out and appropriately follows the definition of Hinduism, which is more of a way of life than mere rituals. The spirituality is their priority, which means being good, compassionate, caring, respecting, community -conscious, God-loving and a good human being. And these teachings need to physically translate into practical deeds rather than being confined as theoretical discourse only.

The Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir, Pravin Kumar (extreme right) announcing the fund collected, and Minister of Housing and Transport , Phil Twyford (centre) handing the cheque for $43, 442.60 to Rajesh Chaudhry, Chairperson of Friends of Fiji Health Foundation. Project Manager, Mahendra Sharma (in yellow safety vest), with other Trustees of both the organisations look on.  

And according to our scriptures, the best deed one can do is service to humanity, what we call parr hitt. This is also taught by other religions and well depicted in Abu Ben Adam poem by Leigh Hunt. The bottom line message here is that God loves and blesses those who love their fellow beings.

And that is exactly what Shri Ram Mandir does – it literally walks the talk in loving its fellow beings. And this is done through its walkathon which they call Ram-A-Thon, named after Lord Ram, who walked across India during his exile. Here, the devotees walk and raise funds for worthy causes.

The dedicated and passionate team of walkers take a break for photo in the picaresque Oratia walk in Henderson: From left, Pushpa Adhar, Sunita Singh, Master Shiu Charan, yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh, his wife, Shashi Kala Singh and Satish Chand.

The colourful Rewa team of walkers, led by Viren Lal (extreme left), with two Tavua (yellow) walkers as well.

Six years ago, this started as a full day 35 km of marathon walk from Papatoetoe to Henderson. It was later reduced to 20 km walk from Auckland Domain (Museum) to Mandir at Henderson. Since then they have held two other walkathon to help out Starship Children’s Hospital (over $10,000) and Saint John Ambulance (over $16,000)

This year, it was decided to reduce the walk to 10km, but utilise the day to assemble people together in a huge community networking and people wellbeing quest, developing it into a family carnival.

Sport Waitakere conductors were on hand to keep the participants busy. Here a lady coordinator is conducting exercise for Senior Ladies. It was indeed a day of fun and laughter, and all had loads of fun.

As we have said before, since the inception of Ram Mandir in Henderson, it has developed more than a religious institution into a Community hub. There was Ghazal and Bollywood nights, hosted Senior Citizens group, has become a venue for wedding and birthdays and promotes music, arts, culture and history.

The family carnival that was held after the walk at Henderson Park was fun-filled Mini Fiji carnival where we had friendly sporting rivalry between the districts in Fiji like Suva, Lautoka, Rewa, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Labasa and Nadroga.
And we had a bucketful of family and sporting events such as Men’s soccer, Tug of war, seniors lawn balls, seniors ball and bucket, Ladies penalty kicks and Ladies Volleyball.

The friendly district loyalties and rivalries prompted greater efforts to make your team win. The highest funds were collected by Tavua, over $16,000, followed by neighbor Ba, with a distant $6000 and Rewa with just over $5,000 being third.

  The family fun: Tug –of –War, with father and son in Ba team. Pravaal Tahal,  (extreme right) giving all he can in pulling the rope while his father, Manoj Tahal (third from right) is putting in all efforts to pull for the Ba team in one of the many fun sports event at Henderson Park.

Some individuals were recognized for their efforts. Master Shiu Charan was the best overall fundraiser, who put great efforts in penetrating to the community and donors to raise funds. Bhavishna Dutt from Tavua was the highest fundraiser with $5070 raised. And of course, the Tavua team was also judged the best with overall high points.

The Project Manager of the event, Mahendra Sharma was elated with the overall results and thanked all for their overall efforts. Another reason for his joy was that he had his brother Pundit Dhirendra Sharma and his wife from Surrey, Canada, who participated in the event. While Dhirendra raised over $500 in just a few days and walked the distance, his wife, Punditaain helped in preparing food for the participants.

When two brotherly Pundits meet: Dhirendra Sharma (left) and Project Manager Mahendra Sharma at Henderson Park, Auckland during family carnival. Dhirendra is a practising Pundit in Surrey (Vancouver) Canada and was visiting his brother and decided to help. Within 3 days he was able to raise over $500, and beat two of the district teams in this short time, while walking the full length.

The success of the fundraising and a joyful family day goes to the very kind-hearted sponsors and partners. These, among others were, Sport Waitakere, Cooperative Bank, Northern Football Federation, Oratia Football, Auckland Co-op Taxis, Subway Central (Daven and Babita Maharaj), Roshan Nauhria, Sam Achari, Lotus Foreign Exchange, The Indian News, Apna TV and Apna 990 Radio.

We were blessed with generosity of our sponsors and wellwishers. Here we have owner of Subway,  Deven Maharaj, serving a child, providing free vegetarian subway. His company has been sponsoring food to Ram-A-Thon since its inception.

While having fun, the friendly rivalry between the districts accelerated the fundraising efforts, as amount collected far exceeded what they did previously. This year funds collected went to Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH). Statement by them is self-explanatory:

$43,442.60 was donated by Shri Ram Mandir Trust to FOFH. This was the highest amount by a single donor. Our most sincere appreciation to Pravin Kumar, Mahen Sharma and a large number of their executive members, volunteers, soccer team members, youth groups and community and social workers. A big thanks to FOFH Medical team who provided free basic medical check-up to the general public who attended the fundraiser and family festival. The cheque was presented by Hon. Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport and Housing.

The dedicated doctors and support medical personnel of Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH) Foundation, who dedicatedly spend their time and money to help the needy people in Fiji. There is NO administration cost, and each dollar contributed adds over $18 of value-added service provided in Fiji.

The managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir observed that while Ram-A- Thon has been intended to raise funds for worthy charities that is not necessarily their prime objective.

We wish to engage with the wider community, including children, youths, elders, women and people from all walks to life, while enhancing diversity, teamwork, networking and multiculturalism. It has been an effort to create awareness of well-being, healthy living, walking, exercising and keeping fit, while raising funds for worthy causes. In doing so we worked collaboratively with other like-minded charitable, community and religious organisations and obtained corporate and commercial businesses on board as sponsors. 

The unsung heroes of family day: food servers, Rakesh Singh, and chutney expert, Robert Goundar, (in cap, back to the camera) serving continuously for some three hours, from 12 noon to 3pm, feeding all those in the carnival. Very tasty plau and chutney cooked at Shri Ram Mandir, and lovingly served by the smiling duo. Rakesh served plau while  tasty (and Khatta) tomato chutney served by Robert. They made our day.

Indeed, it was a fruitful day, and the general verdict from community elders is that other like-minded religious institutions need to broaden their base and lower their radar to capture many in the community who are normally by-passed by Mandirs focussing on religion only.

As the message from Abu Ben Adam speaks, God loves and blesses those who love their fellow beings. 

And Shri Ram Mandir receives such blessings in abundance for its trendsetting humanitarian and philanthropic deeds.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT and has been part of Ram-A-Thon since its inception in 2014]

Shri Ram Mandir to help Fiji community through Ram-A-Thon

Thakur Ranjit Singh

What started four years ago as a prop to raise funds for completing Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Auckland, has snowballed into annual fundraiser for needy organisations. 

First we helped out the Starship Children’s Hospital with a collection of just over $10,000.

Second we helped out Saint John’s Ambulance and collected just over $16,000.

The next walkathon, which has been named as Ram-A –Thon to reflect its initiative from Shri Ram Mandir, will be held on Sunday 3 February, 2019. This will be to help people needing urgent medical attention in Fiji. Funds collected will go to FRIENDS OF FIJI HEALTH, which organises volunteer doctors to help out people in Fiji.

Shri Ram Mandir-where it all starts - A flashback-beginning of Ram-A -Thon 2017 in front of Ram Mandir before boarding the bus.

A WALK WITH A DIFFERENCE

Unlike past walks which was long and used up the whole day, walking through built up area and roads, we have reduced this walk to just 10km. And we have moved down nearer to the beauty and greenery of West Auckland.

A glimpse of beautiful cemented walkway for 2019 walk,  just beyond Sturges Road in the greenery of Henderson Valley. You will be assured of magnificent face of West Auckland.

It starts at Shri Ram Mandir at 8.30 am, with assembly time of 8am to get organised. The walk from Mandir proceeds down to Swanson Rd, turning right into Sturges Rd, turns left into second Vintage Drive (off near 61 Sturges Rd) and joins picturesque cemented walkway of Henderson through beautiful forests, vines, and Oratia Stream, between Sturges Road and Henderson Valley Road. 

The major break will be at 359 Henderson Valley Road Ashram.

The main difference this year is the addition of a family fun day. The walk will terminate at Henderson Park, where a day full of activities is planned, commencing at 11 am. Planned competitive activities include Women's volleyball & penalty kicks, Men's 7-a-side soccer & tug o' war, Senior citizens' lawn bowling & ball and bucket, Kids’ marble & spoon, sack race, and relay and other non-competitive fun-filled activities will be organised for all age groups.

Another glimpse of picturesque walk among the bushes of Henderson Valley Road, where this walk will takes us to. Breathtaking views of greenery.

For soccer fans from Fiji, attraction will be division and competition according to ten districts as follows:  Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Suva, Nasinu, Rewa, and Labasa.

MESSAGE OF SPIRITUALITY TO THE COMMUNITY

With our example, we appeal to other like-minded organisations to extend their radar of focus to wellbeing of the community.

The person leading the organisation that came with this benevolent thought, stressed that this type of walkathon has multi-pronged objectives. Pravin Kumar, the Managing Trustee of SRMCT said, “We have advised from the outset that the priority of this charity walk was not fundraising. While that is one of the aims, it is one on low priority.”

When and where it all began- a flashback 4 years ago, at 8.52am on 30 November, 2014 at Shri Ram Krishna Mandir at Onslow Rd, Papatoetoe where the first Ram-A-Thon began for the marathon 35 km walk.

He advised that the multi-objectives of this walk are: 

• To engage with the wider community, including children, youths, elders,            women and people from all walks to life – enhancing diversity, teamwork, 
        networking and multiculturalism. 
• To create awareness of well-being, healthy living, walking, exercising and 
        keeping fit. 
• Raise much needed funds for worthy charitable causes and help inculcate 
        the concept of helping others who are less fortunate than us
• Work collaboratively with other like minded charitable, community and 
        religious organisations 
• Get corporate and commercial businesses on board as sponsors

Keeping fit, and show of women-power of Shri Ram Mandir. Ladies leading the walk of 2018, just at Winter Gardens at Auckland Domain where the walk began.

We are requesting general public to reserve Sunday, 3 February, 2019 in your calendar for walking to help vulnerable people in Fiji, needing urgent medical attention. With our help, Friends of Fiji Health will be able to do that much more back home.

While walking to help, this will also bring the community together to have family fun in Henderson Park.

Further information and sponsorship forms can be obtained from Event Director Mahendra Sharma on 027 661 3242 or e-mail – family_sharma@hotmail.com

For further details please visit Shri Ram Mandir Facebook page or can be obtained by contacting Pundit Markand Bhatt on 09-836 4647 at the Mandir.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh runs the blog FIJI PUNDIT, and is also a media commentator, and promotes community and other events beneficial to the society and enhances community wellbeing. He is part of the organising committee for 2019 Ram-A-Thon]