BOOK REVIEW: “TEARS OF A FATHER” EXPOSES TEARS OF A COMMUNITY

Thakur Ranjit Singh, Auckland, New Zealand

Former Member of Parliament from Ba, Satendra Singh has many achievements, but basically he is a very private family person. So much that when he wrote his first fiction ‘Tears of a Father’ he wrote it under a quasi, literary or as he calls it, poetic name of STAN.

The Book - TEARS OF A FATHER - a very readable short book with very enthralling fiction very much close to the heart of those from Fiji and looks like reality. A very pertinent book that relates to all Fiji Indian migrants all around the globe. A must reading for all as it is more about tears of a community that needs to put its house in order.

I always had a feeling, this Rarawai Wala Chora (the kid from Rarawai, Golflinks, Ba Fiji), Satendra would do something greater. One thing he never told me was that he was writing a fiction and what I never told him is that I would do a review of that book. So we both are even now.

His life has been full of experience and adventures. He has been a childhood singer- I sang ‘Goa’s duet...”do diwaane dil ke…” in Radio Fiji’s Mehfil programme in 1965 with him. He was a school orator and debater, an accomplished MC, an event organiser, a radio announcer, Ramayan parcharak, film Actor (heard of ‘Love in Ba?”), a bank officer with Westpac and had audacity to tell his boss to “stick his job” upon the Bank’s show of insensitivity towards his culture. He has also been a secondary school teacher, a Farm Advisor with FSC, a community leader, a Member of Parliament in Chaudhry’s Labour Party, a business proprietor and many more.

The Satendra Singh Royal Family photo of yesteryear, with wife, Shanti Devi Singh, three daughters and only son. With support of a loving family he has been able to achieve much, and will continue writing more books. 

Satendra Singh have had an illustrious career in his life. Indeed, somebody with these skills was expected to irrigate the community with his fountain of wisdom. He was expected to do what nobody else in Bansi clan dared do or has done - to secretly become an author of fiction, ek kalpit lekhak.

He is my “langotiya yaar’, a childhood friend, and hence readers may assume I will just paint a shiny picture of him and his book. Right? Wrong. If I ever again go to Calgary or meet him, I have quite a few confusing questions.

Firstly, why a nickname, or poetic name of author? Satendra is such a beautiful name. Okay agreed, but why an English name?  Why Stan? Stan? Why obsession of our people in Canada with Anglicised or English names? Why not Bansi, Bhlolai, Beni, Bhondu (even Bode) or some Girmitiya name? Why not some religious name? Vidur, Sanjay, Sudama, Vishwamitra or even my nickname, Shukni? And from which angle the cover photo looks like a rustic villager father Mahesh from Benai, Ba? It looks like a munda Sahib. 

Saten and Shanti Devi Singh - the school-days lovers who became partners in marriage. Shanti (left) has been the pillar of support for the family and an inspiration for the author. Here they are seen together at Radio launch and promotion of the book in Fiji.

And if the names in Ba are real, why the fictional name of Czekeland? Where is it? Why not Calgary, Edmonton, Christchurch, Melbourne, Manukau, Brisbane or any other city our people have gone to? This is because the plot covers events which is universal to virtually all cities Fiji Indian have migrated to, because they have gone with their excess luggage from Fiji.

Now to the real review. The plot is remarkable, and very relevant to Fiji Indian migrants in any city. The mind of the author has taken dive into ocean of thoughts and came up with pearls that comprise the plot and story line.

I think the title of the book should have been “Tears of a Community” This is because Satendra very ably weaves out the trip of Mahesh from dusty, rustic rural Benai, Ba to this fictional place which could well be my Auckland, Melbourne or even Calgary. While telling tales of the village, he also touches on many forms of dysfunction in our community, despite us being so religious - both in Fiji and in our adopted country overseas. 

It tells of trials and tribulations of this father in his this overseas country and his efforts to adjust to the new environment and the following adventure in a new environment. It touches on very deep hypocrisy - pakahand in our people. We appear to be very religious or have high positions in community, but basically remain chandaal - the villain, a Ravan, who portrays to be Ram. This book is also about some two-faced people.

It very ably exposes the sores that our involvement and politics of religion, Mandali and Mandir entail. We Fiji Indians have a habit of migrating with our poking stick, koche waala danda, and create kachkach or controversies in all religious places. The author very ably weaves the religious politics, our another vice of Ojhai, or witchcraft and to drug problems, westernised culture and elder abuse, the old dhong of caste system and even touches on remarriage of widow, vidhwa vivah. 

Most remarkable, he has guts to touch on the taboo subject on inter racial and inter-religious marriage. The story line very ably weaves all these into an ending plot where all come together up happily in the end, like some black and white Hindi movies of 1960s. In places, it explodes in emotions and you could feel tears oozing up in your eyes. Indeed this plots ends happily, after some violent encounters, but teaching us a great deal about how we need to improve our families –and community.

One problem with Fiji Indian community is that we are extremely poor readers. Many have not read any books in years. (My friend Jimmy Khan tells me he has bought the book but has not read it!) Thankfully, this is a small and relatively thin book of just some 133 pages, is not very frightening, and can be easily completed within a day. This is a huge contribution by Satendra (or Stan?) to encourage a non-reading Fiji Indian community to start reading.

Satendra Singh (right) with Mohinesh Sharma of Radio Fiji during official launch of the book. Nur Jahan was also involved in the official launch with Radio Fiji team. The event was coordinated by a long-term friend and well-wisher and Fiji coordinator, Pundit Manoj Sharma.

While in Fiji in July 2019, I bought this book from R. C Bali shop and started reading it on my flight to Auckland from Nadi. Hence, it is a history that reading for this review commenced some five miles above earth, while flying in Fiji Airways Airbus 330 that also flies to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The read is so easy and interesting that I completed half the book in the air.

 “Tears of a Father” exposes us Fiji Indians to our past and we would be able to relate to and relive in our similar experience while back in Fiji, or in your adopted country. Reading this book gives you a feeling of nostalgia – homesickness, old memories, purani yaadein and takes you back to those dusty villages in Ba.

I congratulate Satendra for his exemplary achievement that I cannot match - in his skills of story-telling, and pouring his very vast knowledge and his own experience of life into this book. His work is not only interesting, easy-reading and entertaining, but is an excellent beacon – patth pradarshak , a guide, direction and lesson for our people in how to improve and live a better life, in unity and harmony, adjusting in a newly-adopted country. 

I wish Satendra all the best and hope the next venture will surpass the excellence seen in this book. I may also wish to encourage him to write some old memories of short stories, non-fiction of our childhood in Rarawai like an encounter with Bacchu Lal, playing soccer in Golflinks while grazing cattle, Lacchi dari on pakar tree, fagua with Rarawai Bhaujis, Ram Naumi and other short stories that may rekindle memories of our childhood.

Is this Stan? Satendra Singh, author of Tears of a Father.

Tears of a Father is a must reading for those wishing to go back in time to Fiji, get to read a not-too intimidating short book with easy , interesting and entertaining reading on a subject they all can relate to. 

A highly recommended reading of tears which to the end dries out with eruption of smiles - with many lessons.

Happy reading.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a community-worker and journalist. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. Among many things, they also have a common grandfather – Girmitiya Aaja Bansi. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

REGRETS AND LESSON FROM DEATH BEDS: YOU LIVE ONLY ONCE - THERE MAY BE NO TOMORROW

                                     Thakur Ranjit Singh

As we age, we tend to commence viewing life with greater depth of philosophy. Organizing school reunions has been one way to meet older students we may not have met for many decades. 

Epics and history books are full of accounts of those who had regrets while on death beds. Here, Bhism Pitamah, on his death bed, mrityu shayya, bed of arrows, regrets things he could have done differently. This article is to make readers learn from mistakes and regrets of others.

D.A.V.College, Ba Fiji’s international reunions have been held biennially respectively in Canada (2015), Auckland (2017) and Fiji last month on 20 July, 2019. In recognition of age catching up, and death embracing many of our school mates, the 2017 Auckland reunion had appropriate philosophical theme, urging ageing mates to listen, be happy, smile and live life, as there may be no tomorrow - Suno, jiyo, khush raho, muskurao. Kya pata, kal ho na ho.

And the latest reunion in Ba, Fiji continued in similar theme – you live only once -yeh zindgi na milegi dobaara 

In my Ba reunion experience, it appeared many of our ageing mates from Ba did not reciprocate our desire to meet older students and share the love we had for our long-separated mates. Many did not seem to care, because they appear to be too engrossed with life and failed to take advantage of meeting old mates who may never again come to their hometown in another DAV reunion in Ba in their lifetime. Life is too short, hence we need to live life to full.

Live life while you can - too late to make mends on death bed. You will only have regrets.

I have echoed these sentiments in the new Fiji Hindi TV programme, LO KAR LO BAAT, on Apna TV in Auckland that runs on Channel 36 on Sundays at 5.30 pm. I just covered topic on elder abuse and gave inspiration for older people to enjoy stress-free life in their twilight years, without giving much thought to what others may think.

As I am also part of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) Seniors team, I wish to share some thoughts with my ageing DAV School mates and with friends and relatives in the community who are sliding down the ladder of life. 

Coincidentally, I was fortunate to come across a NZ Herald article by author Bronnie Ware, who shared thoughts that I also carry – thoughts coming from death beds of those at end of their lives.

Too late to leave things for very late. Still time for you to learn from this article.

Bronnie is an author, an inspirational speaker, songwriter and mama to her daughter, Elena. She lives in northern New South Wales, Australia. She has worked in palliative care, tending to those people who were dying. She has worked closely with those having little time to live and noted their most common regrets in life.

I wish to share this with younger ones and my elder friends, so they learn some lesson and do not die with great deal of regrets.

Below I have enumerated top 5 regrets from people on their death beds. This is intended to make us wiser, so we do not repeat their mistakes.

Her TOP FIVE REGRETS OF DYING are as follows:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was "by far the most common regret".

"People were astonished by how much power they had given to the opinions of others - friends or family or society."

Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made, at times depending on what others expected them to do. 

In Hindi, we say… log kya kahenge, what others will say. This is the biggest folly and fear we have.

Please break away from this and do not give a damn to what others think - LIVE YOUR LIFE, AND TO HELL WITH WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

Men especially are used to putting too much of themselves into their jobs – missing treasured family moments and not developing other areas of their life. 

Most men spent so much time at work that they missed seeing their children grow up, and had not spent quality time with their partners.

On their death, the employer will fill their position within days, but the vacuum he leaves in a neglected family remains for a lifetime.

To those younger ones too engrossed with their career -DO NOT WORK YOURSELF TO DEATH AT COST OF QUALITY TIME FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY. You will be replaced within days of your death in your workplace. But the vacuum you leave behind in the neglected family will be there forever. So, please, SLOW DOWN -AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many had kept their true feelings to themselves over the years to not upset others. Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. 

As a result, they settled for a second-rate or mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

Friends are invaluable when you are on your death beds-and more so while young and healthy. They give you joys and pleasure, living in the days gone by. Unfortunate are those who fail to come to meet their friends in school or family reunions.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Dying people often want to have some laughter about good old memories. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. This applies to the ones who fail to attend school or family reunions and fail to come and meet their old loved ones and friends.

Unfortunately, many of our Ba friends who failed to come and meet us, will pass away never having those fun time memories of schooldays and walking down those memory lanes. One of the regrets dying people shared with author Bronnie Ware was wishing they had stayed in touch with their friends, as shared experiences bring joy.

There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

"A lot of [patients wished] they had access to their old friends, so that they could have a little bit of light reminiscing."

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip, and this they regret on their death beds, like those missing their school or family reunions.

5. I wish I had let myself be happier.

"When people were looking back, they realised they'd chosen to focus on dramas or problems or challenges, when [they could] have actually blessed themselves with more happiness." In family reunions or gatherings, some dwell on what separates us (conflicts) rather than having unity, good time and fun. They will feel and act bitter, to regret later on death bed.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits of being nasty and loud-voiced. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. 

Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. Some grumpy old ones always wish to remain that way. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

This is well-explained by this Hindi song..khushiyon ki har phool se maine gumm ka haar piroya, pyaar tamanna ki jeevan mein, pyaar ko paa ke khoya…jab tak humne samjha... jeevan kya hai..jeevan beet gaya..

Translated it means…from flowers of happiness I always wove a garland of grief and sadness, I always wished for affection and love, but always lost them when I found them. By the time I understood what life was, alas, life had already gone.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying. Alas, many do not have opportunity to learn it before death. This article gives you that opportunity.

Express your feeling and your love, and say what you feel. Keeping pent-up feelings make you sick. Live,laugh, smile, be happy and enjoy life while you can. Too late to regret on the death bed.

LESSON FOR ALL

Hope this article will at least inspire one elder, one sexagenarian, just one person, to change attitude to life.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, and choose honestly. Choose happiness – and learn from others when they were on their deathbed.

So when you are on death bed, mrityu shayyaa, there may be lesser regrets.

Best wishes for a HAPPY long life.

[About the author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a community and media commentator, and speaks truth without fear or favour. He runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT and is also the anchor of APNA TV’s Fiji Hindi programme LO KAR LO BAAT]

Too late to regret things while on death beds

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]