D.A.V. COLLEGE BA – A STANDING EPITOME OF VISION, SACRIFICE, EDUCATION, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

Thakur Ranjit Singh

The third international D.A.V. College, Ba, Fiji reunion scheduled for 19 -20 July 2019 in Ba is a living example of what the above headline depicts above. For a low-decile school from a rural dusty, rustic Varadoli, Ba, Fiji to organise a third continuing Reunion is a marvelous achievement. And they are looking forward for a fourth one. This indeed is a proof of high-standard of education these rural simpletons got from their temple of education at DAV Ba.

Sadasivan and Sarita Naicker in dancing mood in a family function. Sada is the President of DAV Ba Reunion 2019 organizing committee. Sada and Sarita would also be inducted in the DAV Lovers Hall of Fame.

The first biennial (every two-years) one was in Burnaby, Vancouver in 2015, the second one was in Auckland in 2017, this third one is in Ba in 2019 and the fourth one is under plan for Brisbane in 2021. Perhaps the fifth one in 2023 will go back to Vancouver, or perhaps Sacramento. Well done DAVians - your organising ability is a living proof of a well-grounded education you got at DAV.
Aims of DAV reunions are:

• To honour and pay tributes to our Girmitiyas in general, and Arya Samaj in
        particular for the sterling work they have done in furthering education.

• To pay tribute to departed mates and honour the teachers.

• To establish everlasting friendship bound by those entering the gates of 
        DAV.

• To meet, greet, socialise and network with those whose contacts have 
        been lost through tides of time. 

• And most importantly, to have fun together - and build up fond memories.

We bow our heads with respect for our very visionary Girmitiyas who invested in education for their future generation - and we are the fruits of their hard labour which sections of Fijian society does not appear to appreciate.

Another two couples who will be inducted in DAV Lovers Hall of Fame - the Singhs. From left: Surya Deep and Hem Lata Singh, Shashi Kala and Thakur Ranjit Singh at Auckland Reunion on 13 May, 2017.

The colonial government wanted all descendants of Girmitiyas to be uneducated so they would provide them cheap labour. Hence they never provided any educational facilities. Our visionary forebears beat the Sahebs. The Girmitiyas were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in extraordinary environment. And this was one, where Arya Samaj, Sangam, Sanatan, Muslim, Khalsa and all other communities invested in education.

We salute the visionary elders of Arya Samaj who have provided us DAV and this very auspicious historical occasion of third Reunion. Indeed, historical because in its 65 year history, this is the first DAV Ba reunion held in our school and in Fiji. 

Former students will descend on the school on Friday 19 July to raise the school flag, participate in prayers, network, share lunch with management, staff and students, establish a Vatika or Botanical section, plant trees –and most importantly, walk down the memory lane-where we found education, friendship, and for some, life partners.

DAV would always be proud of its class of 1970s which produced very outstanding results, outstanding leaders and those visionary school-mates who revived the epic love of Krishn-Sudama, in the form of DAV Reunions. This is reflected in greater detail in the 2019 DAV Reunion Magazine.

I especially pay tribute to two schoolmates who started the thought of reunion but are no longer with us - Bimal Chand Maharaj of Stockton and Deo Mani of Sacramento, California, USA. And Raymond Raj (Ramendra Singh), Sant Sharma (Sant Lal), (Paul) Latchman Rao and Kushwa Kant Singh of Canada, (Thakur) Ranjit Singh of Auckland, New Zealand and Sadasivan Naicker of Fiji, among others.

Raymond (Ramendra) Raj, raising Fiji flag in Kitimat, BC, Canada. After dropping off from primary school, he harvested cane for 4 years until Mahendra Pratap, the then Principal in D.A.V, provided him opportunity to start school at age of 20. In 1970, he passed Fiji Junior and went on to his career as automotive mechanic and migrated to Canada. 

Lower decile (low economic standing of parents) schools like DAV took ‘rejected’ students of poor rural cane-farmers and labourers to give them an opportunity of education. They even gave this opportunity to my 20-year old brother who joined DAV after absconding primary school and harvesting cane for 4 years. Yes, Ramendra Singh (Raymond Raj) is an epic story of a drop-out whom DAV gave an opportunity. And now he is flying Fiji flag in Kitimat British Columbia, Canada-over 10,000km away from the temple of education that built his future.
And schools like DAV did this for others as well. Anybody can take creamy milk and make butter out of it. But schools like DAV took maatha (butter-milk) and at times phata doodh (sour-milk) and made them into butter.

Two former students of DAV, Ba. Rajendra Prasad, (left), student of 1960s,and author of two excellent books on  Fiji's Girmit History, Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise. On the right is the first batch of students from 1954, Vinod Patel, Managing Director of Vinod Patel Ltd. Here they are posing in from of plaque at Fiji Girmit Center in Lautoka, commemorating 125th Anniversary of Girmit., 

We have many examples of those “butter” and exemplary leaders from DAV. Some are renowned Ba businessman, Vinod Patel, music maestro Anandilal Amin, veteran teacher, Master Sant Ram, former Ministers, Pratap Chand and Gaffar Ahmed, current Minister, Pravin Kumar Bala, author of ‘Tears in Paradise” and “Enslaved in Paradise”, Rajendra Prasad, soccer ace of Ba and Fiji, Josetaki Kurivutu and Tarun Bala, Community leader flying Fiji flag in Canada, Raymond Raj and of course the outstanding and exemplary leader of DAV Reunion in Ba, and National President of TISI, Sadasivan Naicker. The list is not exhaustive, as there are many more, but these are the ones that came to the memory of this ageing FIJI PUNDIT journalist. You make all of us and DAV proud.

Two books authored by Rajendra Prasad, former student of DAV Ba in 1960, Rajendra Prasad.

Apart from granting us an education base that helped us earn a living, the school also taught us how to live. It also gave us numerous friends. 

But most importantly, for the three key people running this reunion, it gave more than education and friendship - it gave them love and life partners. And they have been happily married with children and grandchildren for some forty years. That is another achievement of DAV – providing successful school love-stories that become a lifelong partnership-and marriage. And this reunion will formally induct them in DAV Lovers Hall of Fame. Sadasivan and Sarita Naicker, Surya Deep and Hem Lata Singh, and of course yours truly, Thakur Ranjit and Shashi Kala Singh will be recognized and inducted in Lovers Hall of Fame. Some other DAV love birds nested in successful marriages will also be recognized on the night if they are present.

Pratap Chand, former DAV Student of 1960s, and former Minister of Education, and author of the book A Fijian Memoir

So, those who are coming, together we will have fun for two days. God Bless DAV and all our mates who are spread in various corners of this world. And deep hearty Naman (salutation) to those who have passed away. God Bless all the others, including teachers and management. And may the school prosper for many more years to come. 

And when we are gone, and our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren read stories of our reunion, they need to realise that we at DAV in 1970s were what we say………………………….hum kisi se kum nahi…. (We are no lesser than others)

We have left a legacy that the new generation can be proud of, and hope the seed we planted of the first DAV Reunion in 2015 continues in perpetuity. 

The theme of 2017 Reunion in Auckland was: Suno, Jiyo, Muskurao, Khush Raho – Kya Pata, Kal Ho Na Ho! (Listen, live, smile, be happy, as there may be no tomorrow)

In a similar tradition, the theme for 2019 D.A.V. Reunion is:

Yeh Zindgi Na Milegi Dobara (You don’t live twice)

Indeed, make most of it, as you live only once. 

Welcome to our hometown, the legendary Ba.

Let the fun begin – because, kya pata, kal hon na ho and yeh zindgi na milegi dobara.

The author of this article, and former student of DAV in 1970s, Thakur Ranjit Singh, with his former DAV student wife, Shashi Kala Singh. They will also be inducted in DAV Lovers Hall of Fame.  They met in school in 1973, got married in 1979 and have been married for just over 40 years.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is from class of 1970s at DAV College, Ba, Fiji - 1970-1973. He is a journalist, media commentator and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. Greater historical details are in DAV Reunion magazine available free to all attending. Thakur lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife, Shashi Kala Singh, another former student of DAV]

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

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

Thakur Ranjit Singh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The powerhouse behind Tarana Team, Pawan Rekha, Station Manager

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part of Team Tarana

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

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

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

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

A salute to the golden voice, Anirudh Diwakar

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless Radio Tarana and its team.

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

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

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

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

Guest Writer, Rajendra Prasad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thakur Ranjit Singh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GREATEST GIRMIT HISTORIAN, BANNED FROM FIJI, AWARDED WITH FIJI GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD IN AUCKLAND

GREATEST GIRMIT HISTORIAN, BANNED FROM FIJI, AWARDED WITH

FIJI GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD IN AUCKLAND

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Fiji’s Prime Minister has made outstanding speeches during 140th Girmit Anniversary. Very commendable. However, there remains a huge black spot, and an act of betrayal that appear to border on vindictiveness. And that is ban on Professor Brij Lal to Fiji.

Those Girmit speeches would continue sounding hollow and pointless, bordering on hypocrisy unless Fiji Government adopts attitude of humility, humbleness and forgiveness by allowing Fiji’s most celebrated historian son, Professor Brij Vilash Lal (and his good wife) back into the country of his birth which he placed on international spheres through his excellent research and commentary on Fiji’s Girmit history.

Professor Brij Vilash Lal, addressing audience at Indian Calvary Church in Otahuhu during his attendance at Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day in Auckland in May, 2014. He has been awarded Sahitya Ratan, Literature Award at Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ function in Auckland.

And that greatest Fiji Historian was awarded Girmit Legacy Award in Literature, Sahitya Ratan  by Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand at 140th Girmit Thanksgiving Day in Auckland on 10 May, 2019. This was a day before Bainimarama gave his illustrious speech on Girmit in Fiji. Extremely commendable, but all will come to naught unless this great Girmit son is allowed back into his country of birth.

And also, as the Foundation request is pending with Fiji Government, TO ALLOW 14 MAY AS GIRMIT THANKSGIVING DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY in Fiji. While we await humane gesture on Girmit by Bainimarama, nevertheless, Girmit Foundation in New Zealand commenced recognizing Girmit’ s outstanding children.

Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand decided to introduce Girmit Legacy Awards because there has been no such recognition for Fiji Indians overseas who tended to get statistically diluted and lost in “Indian” and “Asian “categories.

Therefore, only a Girmit (indenture) organisation, vested with taking care of Fiji Indians could really appreciate, value and recognise their gems. Therefore Girmit Legacy Awards are there to recognize the achievements of the descendants of Girmitiyas for bringing pride, joy, sense of belonging and social cohesion to what Girmitiyas have bequeathed us: A distinct Fiji Indian race, with a distinct language, culture and attachment to Fiji - and while rooted in India, being a distinct Pacifica people.

From one author to another. Professor Brij Lal (right) presenting his outstanding book, "Chalo Jahaji" to author of "Tears in Paradise" and Enslaved in Paradise", Rajendra Prasad.

The Chief Guest for Girmit Thanksgiving in Auckland, a Girmitiya son, New Zealand’s former Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand, observed the enigma of Indian heritage: 

Guyanian, Sir Sridath (Sonny) Ramphal, erstwhile Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, described Indian cultural heritage, in his own instance as being like a seed from a tree growing in India being taken across the seas and growing with encouragement from a seed again to flower in the Caribbean – that is, being different but maintaining the essence of Indian origin.

Same applies to Fiji Indians who were honoured. A seed from India, flowering in Fiji, and taken to other countries, maintaining the essence of Indian origin, but still being a Fijian.

What Girmitiyas have done is to give us a rich and inspiring legacy. And through that Fiji has produced outstanding people that have become role models to inspire others and ensure the hard work, spirit, values, and legacy of Girmitiyas continue to live in action every day.

And when we speak of such legacy left by Girmitiyas in keeping their history alive, one name comes to our mind. 

A PROUD GIRMIT SON- PROFESSOR BRIJ LAL: Had it not been for him, Fiji's Girmit History could have been missing from history books. It is our fervent prayers, that Bainimarama Government in Fiji will rise up to allow him back in Fiji. That will be a fitting 140th Anniversary gift to people of Fiji's Girmitiya descendants who adore this Professor- a short man with very high stature.

When talking about promotion of Hindi Language through Ramayan, we sing: sach mano Tulsi na hote toh Hindi kahin padi hoti. If it wasn’t for Tulsidas in promoting Hindi through Ramayan, the language may have been lost.

Similarly, when speaking about Girmit (Indenture) history, we can say:
Sach mano yeh Professor na hote toh Girmit ki itihas kahi chipi hoti. If we did not have this Professor, History of Fiji Girmit would still be missing from history books. 

Yes, and that Professor is a simple, short person, but of very high stature, Professor Brij Vilash Lal from Labasa, Fiji (now of Brisbane, Australia). He was announced as recipient of Girmit Legacy Award 2019 in the Literature Category – Girmit Sahitya Ratan. (Professional Wellington A League Footballer, Roy Krishna received sports award-story to follow)

Professor Lal’s Award citation read:

Girmit is our foundational history, which was gradually being lost with the passage of time. However, had it not been for Professor Brij Vilash Lal – a descendant of the Girmitiyas – the very words ‘Girmit’ and ‘Girmitiya’ would have been lost forever.

In fact, there was a real danger of us losing the entire Girmit history, had it not been for Professor Brij Lal, a world-renowned scholar on Pacific and Girmit history who single-handedly retrieved and restored our foundational history. He removed the stain linked to the words “Girmit” and “Girmitiya” and turned them into jewels of our history that we have come to treasure and embrace. 

Professor Lal’s work spanned various disciplines – from history, biography to political commentaries and compiling an encyclopedia. He is regarded by his peers as the most eminent scholar in the school of humanities and social sciences Fiji has ever produced and remains one of the most highly acclaimed intellectuals of Fiji - a proud descendant of the Girmitiyas. 

Professor Lal makes us, the descendants of the Girmitiyas, very proud through his achievements. His most memorable quip, which is fondly quoted is: “The Girmitiyas were ordinary people, who achieved extraordinary feats in extraordinary circumstances.”

What Professor Lal has achieved through his writings is to give voiceless people a voice, place and purpose, a sense of dignity and inner strength that comes from never giving up no matter how difficult the circumstances. 

He strongly believes that history belongs to the victor as much as it belongs to the vanquished. And through his scholarship, initiative and sacrifice he has filled the blank pages of our Girmit history. 

He is author of some 40 book now, if not exceeding this number.  For such a long list of achievements, we concede that no award is adequate to truly reflect the depth of our appreciation.

Indeed, Professor Lal, in his long and illustrious academic career, would have received many, many awards, recognition and commendations for his excellence in his field from many sources.

An honour for this author, Fiji Pundit, Thakur Ranjit Singh, (left) to share this photo with a distinguished scholar and historian, Professor Brij Lal when he visited Auckland in May 2014 as the Chief Guest in Fiji Girmit Foundation Girmit's  Thanksgiving Day.

But this is unprecedented as it comes from his own people, and from an organisation, Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ, which represents people he has given a name – Girmit. 

To make it sweeter, he was the Chief Guest at the Foundation in Auckland in 2014. And Bainimarama can even make it sweeter by rising up to allow Professor and his good wife back in Fiji as Fiji’s 140th Anniversary gift to one of Fiji’s most celebrated Girmit son.

Indeed, it is a pride for him to be honored by children of Girmit - whose history he kept alive. It is now left on Fiji government honour the son who kept alive the memories, and feats of Girmitiyas.

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

FIJI INDIANS IN NEW ZEALAND SEEK THEIR PACIFICA IDENTITY ON GIRMIT DAY IN AUCKLAND

FIJI INDIANS IN AUCKLAND SEEK THEIR PACIFICA IDENTITY

Thakur Ranjit Singh

It was 140 years ago that the first shipload of Girmitiyas arrived in Fiji on 14 May, 1879. And Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand commemorated this day with marked differences.

The Trustees of the Foundation passed on the baton to a youthful millennial executives who organised this event for the first time. And they brought in welcome changes. There was no crying, lament or apportioning the blame – the theme was to celebrate the resilience, resolve, faith in future, trust in education and vision of the forebear Girmitiyas.

Also, the programme was not intended as an entertaining event filled with songs and dances. Instead, it was meant as educational, empowering and enlightening - with quiz, oratory and historical insights. In addition this programme was used to encourage and allow Fiji Indian community to ascertain their rightful role and recognition as Pacifica people, being the second largest Pacific population in New Zealand.

Girmit Legacy Awards- Sports Award-Khelkood Ratan, was awarded to Phoenix A league Soccer Star Roy Krishna. Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand presenting Krishna award while his wife, Nazia Ali Krishna, who had especially flown from Fiji to be beside her husband, looks on. [FIJI PUNDIT will write in detail, separately about Girmit Legacy Awards in later articles]

This was reflected in presidential speech by the president, Krish Naidu, who mentioned that Fiji Indians were discriminated while in Fiji and this appears to have accompanied them to New Zealand. 
He said:

In New Zealand we live with an identity crisis where we are not accepted and recognized for belonging to the Pacific community and entitled to resources, opportunities, respect and recognition available and given to people who originate from the Pacific Island Countries. 

The president of Girmit Foundation called on New Zealand government, government agencies and other institutions to recognise geographical, statistical, ethnicity and historical facts about Fiji Indians, and treat them fairly. The youthful Girmit Foundation Executives promised to advocate for this change.

The Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand , delivering his keynote address. He advised us, among others, to share our rich heritage with others to ensure they also benefit from its values.

Naidu also requested for Fiji Indians to be reflected as a separate ethnicity in NZ census, and requested all Fiji Indians to stand up and unite under a Girmit banner and to work together and build on unity. 

The Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand, of Fiji Indian heritage and former NZ Governor General outlined both sides of his genealogy, coming from two parts of India. He told a packed Skipton Hall that he was moved by the respect that was shown by the foundation in honouring and presenting medals to over 25 elder reaching above 80, for passing the heritage and culture from the earlier generations to the next one.

The ARST Skipton Hall was full to capacity with a captive audience.

He once again echoed resilience and special traits our forebears left behind which make us proud with a rich heritage. Sir Anand posed a challenge and question: What are we to do with our matter with Indian heritage? It is not only to be recorded and bottled up but shared around for the benefit of a considerable number.

He saluted the faith of forebears in education and confidence in future that has seen the descendants to shine. He added:

I feel certain if it was possible for our forebears to ascertain what was achieved by subsequent generations, they would be proud. Education and its pursuit is of course, keynote. As Nelson Mandela once said, education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. 

The Housing and Transport Minister, Phil Twyford also saluted all other migrants who made Aotearoa into a beautiful melting pot and he saluted Fiji Indians for shining out and being exemplary citizens.

Some members of the community who were there to bless the event, from left, Mahendra Sharma, President of Waitakere Indian Association, Pundit Ram Kumar Sewak, Pooja Cultural Group, and Auckland Ramayan Sanstha (ARST), Pravin Kumar, Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, Mahendra Singh and Mavis Lata Singh, President of  Sanatan Naari Sabha.

The prime event for the evening was Girmit Legacy Awards. As resilience and resolve of our Girmitiyas helped them transcend adversity, what that meant is they bequeathed the new generation a rich and inspiring legacy. And through that, Fiji has produced outstanding people.

The Memorial-Shradhanjali ke doh phool . Candle being lit in memory of the departed Girmitiyas. Soccer Star Roy Krishna and Fiji Honorary Consul, Harish Lodhia lighting the candles, while "paparazzi" is busy taking photos.

The president Krish Naidu reflected that Fiji Indians needed to celebrate their distinct identity and become a voice for their people. Hence the Girmit Legacy Awards were instituted this year to celebrate and honour the success of the descendants of Girmitiyas. He said it was important that such success stories were told, shared and celebrated. He said:

Girmit Legacy Awards are there to recognize the achievements of the descendants of Girmitiyas for bringing pride, joy, sense of belonging and social cohesion. These people have become role models to inspire others and ensure the hard work, spirit, values, and legacy of Girmitiyas continue to live in action every day in particular through our children and youths.

This year four such awards were declared. They were:

1) Community Well being Award – Samajik Kushalta Ratan, awarded to 
        Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation.

2) Arts and Culture Award – Girmit Kala aur Sanskriti Ratan, awarded to            Waitakere Hindi School.

3) Sports Award – Khelkood Ratan, awarded to Wellington A League                    Phoenix Star, Roy Krishna

4) Literature Award - Sahitya Ratan, awarded to Professor Brij Vilash               Lal.

The most outstanding Historian son of Fiji who brought out the stolen Girmit History into limelight, gave the name 'Girmit" and added respectability to people who were virtually forgotten. Professor Brij Vilash Lal was awarded Sahitya Ratan-Literature Award for unprecedented work on Fiji History. He is seen here delivering his keynote address in Auckland Girmit  Function in 2014. Looking is the then President, Late Pundit Devakar Prasad.

The three awards were presented by the Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand, while Professor Brij Lal could not be present, and it would be presented to him in a later event this year. [Separate articles later would cover the awards in detail]

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Hon Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, presented their messages and there were other congratulatory messages, interspersed with cultural item and quiz. The evening rounded off with photography sessions where photos were taken with the star attraction soccer star Roy Krishna and his pageant beauty queen wife Nazia Ali Krishna who had especially flown from Fiji to receive the award with her husband. And many people took out time to take photograph with the elders who were given medals and also with the Chief Guest Sir Anand and Lady Susan.

Remembering and rewarding the forgotten elders who passed on the teachings and character of Girmitiyas to the new generation. Here some are seen with their medals with two founding Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ, Master Shiu Charan (nearest to camera on the right) and Sardar Harnam Singh Golian (in suit)

As usual the evening rounded off with sharing of bilos of traditional Fijian drink, yagona, and people had a good feed of sumptuous meal provided. 

If it was a litmus test for the millennial team of Executives of Fiji Girmit Foundation, it was a job well done and huge applause from all of us.

A very memorable, and unique way to salute the memories of those who sacrificed for us, and Fiji Indian Diaspora need to learn from Aucklanders to emulate such events for their forebears in their respective cities around where Fiji Indian Diaspora have settled.

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