THE KILLER VIRUS WE GET FROM AUCKLAND COUNCIL

The Killer Virus we get from Auckland Council

Thakur Ranjit Singh

If Phil Goff was running Air New Zealand, the almost empty planes on international routes would still be flying to whichever destination was allowing them to land. And domestic runs would be going at full swing, with or without passengers during this lock down.

That is exactly what happens if you get a boss to run the biggest business in New Zealand, Auckland Council, by a career politician. We have allowed Auckland Council to be headed by a person who has not even run a corner store but who, throughout his political life, has been using other people’s money, without any shareholder accountability or constraints of profitability. Hence we get a mayor we deserve.

Thanks that Air New Zealand, as a prudent company has recruited a former Walmart CEO who has done bigger things and managed a bigger business than Air New Zealand. The airline is thankful for its new CEO Greg Foran, who has economic business acumen, business foresight, and sheer common sense in these unprecedented trying times. Hence, based on demand, he has grounded 95% of flights and has parked the unused planes to cool off and serviced while running skeleton charter, domestic and cargo flights, which make economic sense.

CEO of Air New Zealand, Greg Foran. He has prudently grounded 95% of Air New Zealand flights because of lack of demand. Wonder if he would have allowed empty Metro buses, trains and ferry at Auckland Transport run in a locked-down city, if he were heading Auckland Council?

On the other hand, Phil Goff’s Auckland Council’s Uncontrolled Council Organisation, (read CCO), Auckland Transport are running empty buses on all its routes and operating 95% of service, if not 100%. Same with its rail network, burdening ratepayers with huge unnecessary bills while pretending to provide a service to a city in lock down.

I stay in Te Atatu Peninsular on the routes 131 and 132. Most passengers I saw were no more than two a few times, and none most other times. Most vehicles running on my street are the empty Metro buses-more than cars. As a ratepayer, each time those empty bigger buses (eight-wheeler double axle, with rear door) rumble past my house, it seems to run on my heart, as I with other suffering ratepayers are paying for this economic silliness and folly of Auckland Council, bereft of any business sense and ratepayer responsibility. 

Empty bus, Route 132 in Te Atatu Peninsula. Such empty buses make some 100 empty trips per day from City. Isn't Auckland Transport playing with ratepayers money?

These two bus routes run at every half hour intervals, could be 20 minutes, and make over 80 round trips in 18 hours of operation from 6.00 am to 12 midnight. With estimated 40 km return trip, it adds up to 1,600 km per bus per day. You work out the costs. Would the Mayor Phil Goff, Transport Minister Phil Twyford or Finance Minister Grant Robertson run their father’s bus business or any business on full steam when they have just 1% of revenue or potential customers? Would they have run Air New Zealand normally in the current situation?

They why is Auckland Transport allowed to run its buses, trains and ferry empty when Auckland and New Zealand is in lock down? As I am typing this at 10.30 pm on Wednesday evening, April Fool’s Day (1 April, 2020), 7th day of lock down, those empty buses still run past my house, with my heart crying out for the ratepayers. And same is the story around the city, and I hope other ratepayers see this wastage and may raise their concerns, once they have stocked on their supply of toilet paper and flour.

Another empty bus in Te Atatu Peninsula on 1 April, 2020. This is Route 131. Wonder how many hundreds of other empty buses are running in a locked down city, resulting in wastage of ratepayer money.

The mantra of Auckland Mayor and Auckland Council is that they run this “ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL”. Have they determined how many essential staff catch their buses on my route which run at all hours, with each costing approximately some $8000 per day? And how many such buses and trains they run throughout the city for “essential personnel”? Wouldn’t it have been cheaper for Auckland Council/Transport to organise taxis or alternative transport for only those essential service personnel these full time buses and trains were supposed to carry? Why did not Auckland Council adjust to this extraordinary situation? Did Auckland Transport look at any cheaper and economically sensible alternative? Weren’t Sky Bus more business-prudent to halt their services to Airport for lack of passengers?

Ironically, I see the Mayor now has set up a Mayoral Business Advisory Panel, while the Council itself is committing this blatantly careless financial idiocy which we ratepayers will pay for.

If this is time to tighten our belts and save money, why is there blatant waste of Auckland ratepayer money by those who could not even seem capable of organising a piss up in a brewery? 

Can Phil Goff and his Mayoral Business Advisory Panel please respond to these questions?

1) How many passengers’ respective bus routes 131 and 132 carried in the first seven days of the lockdown?

2) How many such buses, trains and ferries are running throughout Auckland?

3) How many passengers did they carry throughout Auckland?

4) What is the total cost to Council for running these unnecessary, almost passenger-less services for the last week, and how much was cost per passenger?

5) And the killer, what, if any prudent financial management will Auckland Council mount to counteract this unprecedented economic situation? Will there be a wage and salary cut and freeze?

6) And now to Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson and Local Government Minister (if she at all knows what is happening in the Council) – With such Financial absurdity, what recourse, if any, do we suffering ratepayers have for a very wanting business and finance leadership at Auckland Council?

The movers and shakers. From left, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, Transport Minister, Phil Twyford, Councillor Linda Cooper, National List MP Alfred Ngaro and Chair of Henderson Massey Local Board, Chris Carter. Would any of them run their father's bus business if they were running empty? Then why is Auckland Council burdening the ratepayers with this economic idiocy? Wonder if Phil Goff would have allowed Air New Zealand to fly empty planes if he were heading Air New Zealand during this crisis?

I invite the movers and shakers resident in my suburb of Te Atatu Peninsula to come and let’s sit two meter apart outside my house and cry together as these multiple   empty buses rumble through each way. Will Transport Minister, Phil Twyford, Chair Henderson Massey Local Board, Chris Carter, former Westie Councillor Penny Hulse, National List MP Alfred Ngaro and John Tamihere accept my invitation to witness this Council recklessness?

I hope the Mayor Phil Goff’s Mayoral Business Advisory Panel, together with brains in Auckland Council can make some strategic targeted decisions, and not choose  one-size- fits-all attitude in these difficult times.

All we call upon is to properly assess different locations and provide scaled down services as warranted, so we are able to reduce wastage in these trying times.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a journalist and community worker. He runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT]

RE-INVENTING HINDU RELIGION ON RADIO IN FACE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

RE-INVENTING HINDU RELIGION ON RADIO IN FACE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

Thakur Ranjit Singh

They say, necessity is mother of invention. We started flying when we saw a great need to travel faster and quicker. We invented phone and radio when humans felt a great need to communicate, and so developed our modern society with new inventions coming as we felt an urge for them. This social distancing has created another need- for religion by radio.

A plea to radio bosses: ROBERT KHAN of Radio Tarana, SATEN PRASAD of Humm 106.2 and IMRAAN HUSSEIN of 990am to stand up and show media and community leadership in addressing the way they present Hindu Programs in face of current crisis and social distancing.

If it was the month of Ramadan, at least two Hindi Radio Stations in Auckland would be daily dedicating three to five hours (if not more) for Islamic programmes, both sponsored and non-sponsored. However, no similar exposure has been noted for Hindu religion. This, however, has never been requested because the religion has a good network in community and did not need radio for its promotion. However, the current restrictions call us to change.

With the current social-distancing announced, and Ram Naumi on our doorsteps, FIJI PUNDIT requests for a Paradigm Shift for Hindi Radio Stations, not only in Auckland, but the whole Fiji Hindu Diaspora around the world. What this means is CHANGING a way of thinking to another due to changed situations. And social distancing and restrictions call in for a change of way things were done.

Such Ramayan recital and discourse can either be pre-recorded or brought live to our homes via Radio during nine days of Ram Naumi. We would sure have proud Hindus and businesses in our community who would be able to sponsor such programs in Radio if stations are nor prepared to do it as community service.

Ram Naumi is the most important continuous religious event of nine days, especially for Fiji Hindus, most of who have their origin in Uttar Pradesh, in Ayodhya, birth place of Shri Ram.

Change is inevitable and necessary in these trying times. Therefore, FIJI PUNDIT directly addressed Messrs Robert Khan, Saten Prasad and Imraan Hussein, respective Managing Directors of Radio Tarana, Humm 106.2 and Apna 990 Radio Stations in Auckland, and pleads with them to institute a strategic move, and change the way they are doing things for Hindus on air.

All these three stations saved financially from cancellation of Holi festival they were sponsoring or hosting this month, so revenue is their least of worry in these nine days. What is the worry is their hesitation to change in the evolving marketplace, as their strategic plans may not have anticipated such a scenario as we have now.

Hence I request them to come on board and devise ways of bringing Ramayan to our drawing rooms with either live or recorded version of Ramayan. There are many reputable Mandalis, Mandirs and Pundits who would oblige to help them.

Such home-based Ramayan recitals and katha have been discouraged and called-off due to current restrictions and fear of spread of virus. Radio Ramayan recitals can fill that vacuum.

On a daily basis of Ram Naumi, they could dedicate 5-6 am and 7.30 to 8.30 pm (or longer) of their radio time to Ram Naumi prayers and Ramayan Recital and discourse by different or same presenters. These times are away from the prime – time, hence not a great dent in their revenue. Some of the programmes could be sponsored as Islamic programmes are sponsored by generous Muslims and businesses. I assume we have such dedicated Hindus in our community who can do the same. While some of the stations have already been doing so during Ram Naumi, we call on all of them to make necessary changes due to current times.

Both Radio Stations and businesses have gained highly from Hindu religious people, which is one of the highest religion after Christianity. And this is a time to pay them back.

Hence I call upon the three CEOs and our various Hindu religious leaders to show their leadership in these trying times, and bring Ramayan recitals to our homes during this holy time of Ram Naumi. The ball is in their court, and I hope our Hindu community will make a move, and hope the radio Stations will cooperate and provide Hindu religion their deserved and balanced time on air.

Such Ram Naumi festivities are no longer allowed by restricting to 100 people, hence Radio Ramayan will be able to fill in this gap to some extent, especially for elderly and others without any access to live-streaming.

We have four clear days to 25 March, 2020, to implement this strategic change and will call upon all concerned to make this work. This article has been forwarded to the respective radio Bosses.

This also applies to radio Stations in Australia, USA and Canada to follow suit and bring Ramayan recital during such trying times of distancing in our homes via radio.

Wishing all a blessed Ram Naumi, with expectations that the current crisis will teach us to do things differently and realise how fragile human life can be.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist and a media commentator, and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. He is originally from Fiji and is based in Auckland, New Zealand.]

BOOK REVIEW - SATENDRA SINGH’S “THE RAGING STONE” WEAVES A HOME- GROWN FANTASY FROM THE PACIFIC

BOOK REVIEW - SATENDRA SINGH’S “THE RAGING STONE” WEAVES A HOME-GROWN FANTASY FROM THE PACIFIC

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Move over Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Hobbit fantasies, Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hatimtai, Legends  of Vikram and Betal and the Adventures of Jurassic Park. 

We now have a home-grown rival. After his first book “The Tears of a Father, Satendra Singh, writing in the poetic name of STAN, has penned yet another blockbuster fantasy. This second novel, The Raging Stone, is a very readable fantasy very close to home in the Islands of Pacific-could even be Fiji. 

The carnivorous man-eating bird which are controlled by the witchdoctors to bring havoc to the Island of Butoka

While I told you about SATENDRA SINGH alias STAN, in the review of his first book, i wish to repeat it for those who came late. 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 books and ventured out as an author - and a good and credible one at that. 

The raging stone statue of the snake on the island that works as a barometer of the fortunes of Butoka Island

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 RAGING STONE -cover of Satendra Singh's second novel, written under his poetic name of STAN

Satendra Singh has 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 and reality as well.

Being a private dedicated family man as well taking out time for community, he has brought about his experience, and the current environment in weaving up a very intriguing, at times, frightening tales from close to home.

The Raging Stone is based in the Islands. The story is about romance, love, human greed, character of gold-digger women, witchcraft and fantasy of snakes and pre-historic carnivorous man-eating birds. These seem to resemble the man-eating birds from pre-historic times, as depicted in the latest Jurassic Park movies. And the Snake Good may have been inspired by Naag of Naag Mandir Labasa that has been protective over its people. And ideas may have also come from Kalia Naag that Krishn sent from River Yamuna to Ramneek Dweep, which we know as Fiji. Hence the snake are our protectors, as in the story.

A photo from Jurassic Park movie, where the man-eating birds attack and kill humans. Similar is the case in this book.

As the title suggests, it is about a snake god cast in stone in the imaginative island of Butoka. It becomes a barometer of the fortunes of the islanders, as this statue works as a warning for coming dangers, and it rages, and speaks in colours, and hence the title of the book.

I take my hat to the ability of the author to dive so deep in the ocean of thoughts and come up with pearls of such ideas that a normal person can hardly dream of. It is a human story of sibling love, parental love, a gold-digger wife who marries to rob her husband, about human greed to capture a mineral-rich colony for financial gain. And to do that how far can one go in supernatural and witchcraft to control a pre-historic carnivorous (man-eating) bird. And on the other side is a stone god of snake, who with snakes become the saviours of the people in the island of Butoka.

Other photos from Jurassic Park movie, showing carnivorous man-eating birds attacking humans. Such birds are fantasized in this novel

I take my hat to Stan for encouraging reading amongst our non-reading Fiji Indians who seem to have been so engrossed with modern technology of new types of phones, that they have stopped reading. Writing very readable books of just over 100 pages, he invites readers to take some time out to read lesser intimidating shorter stories. 

Like his previous book, “Tears of a Father”, his second novel, The Raging Stone is also very short, and can be read within a day. Once you pick up the book, you get so immersed in reality and fantasy that you do not feel like putting it down, wanting to know the end. This sense of anticipation keeps you stuck with the book until it is finished. And indeed, it ends very dramatically, but not before a great deal of gore and blood. I will not spoil your reading by revealing any more.

Another version of Snake God carved in stone, sitting on the mountain in the fantasy Island of Butoka

But I would urge you to support such local talents which can unite reality and fantasy side by side and weave them into very readable and credible reading. And what he has done is a mirror of the chain of movies and legends I have named at the beginning of this review. They all combine today, with yesterday and future, and weave very readable tales of fantasy and reality. 

Stan very ably and credibly narrates the evil tale of those who indulge in witchcraft to control creatures, and as is usual in most cases, the good always triumphs over evil. 

Is this Stan? Yes, Satendra Singh, the author of The Raging Stone

I will urge our reader to please obtain “The Raging Stone” and see how a local third-generation Fiji Indian, former banker, farmer, community worker and Member of Parliament from a humble village of Rarawai Golflinks, Ba Fiji gets this aptitude and depth to weave a tale that we can hardly imagine about.

The Raging Stone is a very readable adventure –a highly recommended reading
The book can be purchases online from the following sites:

Distributed by:

shopclues.com
power-publishers.com
readwhere.com
flipkart.com
snapdeal.com
infibeam.com
amazon.com


Wish you a Happy reading.

[About the Author of this Review: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a community-worker and journalist. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. Thakur and Satendra also have a common grandfather – Girmitiya Aaja (Grandfather) Bansi, who came to Fiji in 1915 from Karouli, Rajasthan, India. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

SHRI RAM-A-THON ENLIGHTENS INDIANS ON THE CONCEPT OF PALLIATIVE CARE

SHRI RAM-A-THON ENLIGHTENS INDIANS ON THE CONCEPT OF PALLIATIVE CARE

Thakur Ranjit Singh

A charity walk that commenced six years ago in 2014 has become an annual event of Shri Ram Mandir in West Auckland, New Zealand, to help out the needy and vulnerable in our community.

WEST AUCKLAND HOSPICE at 52 Beach Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland. They are the recipient of 2020 RAM-A-THON proceeds

Since this walk-a-thon is organised by Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust (SRMCT), it is named Shri Ram-A-Thon.

This year’s walk, which is combined with family carnival and sports day, will be held on Sunday 22 March, 2020, commencing at 8.30 am from Shri Ram Mandir at 11 Brick Street.

Flashback 2019 - Shri Ram-A-Thon walkers before commencing their walk , in front of Shri Ram Mandir, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand

SRMCT initiated this walk initially to raise funds to complete its building project, but due to its popularity, continued it to help needy organisation over the years. 

It launched its 2020 Shri Ram-A-Thon on 30 January, 2020 where people pledged to literally walk their talk in service to humanity. After helping Star ship Hospital, Saint John’s Ambulance and Friend for Fiji Health in the past events, SRMCT is going to help an organisation that is providing exemplary service to vulnerable in our community who are at end of life – palliative care where individuals have limited time to live. Hence, West Auckland Hospice has been chosen as the recipients of 2020 proceeds of Walkathon.

Hanuman Devotee and former Bank Executive, ANESH CHAND (right) and Immigration Consultant Satish Chand, co-jointly are the principal donors for the fundraising event. Anesh  is giving launching speech at Shri Ram Mandir on 30 January, 2020.

Many Indians in general and Hindus in particular may not even have heard of palliative care or know what it means and involves. While we all may have situations in our families which require such care, many may not even know such services do exist in New Zealand.

Therefore Shri Ram Mandir has chosen to assist West Auckland Hospice which is involved in providing palliative care to those needing it. This process in itself has provided an opportunity for the Indian community to know about the helpful and philanthropic services provided to the community, and is free when recommended by your local doctor.

A glimpse of picturesque walk among the bushes of Henderson Valley Road, where this walk will meander through. Walkers will have breathtaking views of the greenery of West Auckland, leading to Henderson Park where sports and family carnival will take place on 22 March, 2020.

Perhaps it is an opportune time to enlighten our people about PALLIATIVE CARE

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. This is achieved through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and faultless and proper assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psycho-social and spiritual. 

The main players in Shri Ram-A-Thon- (Right to left) Madhavan Raman (MC of the launch and Chairperson), Pravin Kumar (Managing Trustee, Shri Ram Mandir) the West Auckland Hospice guests: Barbara Williams (CEO), Stella Mc Farlene, Bella Davis, Celia Palmer,  Anesh Chand and Satish Chand (Co-jointly principal donors).

Palliative care provides relief from pain and regards dying as a normal process. It neither prolongs nor hastens death and involves psychological as well as spiritual care. It not only helps patients live as actively as possible until death but also provides support to family to cope during the patient’s illness and in their loss of a loved one. 

Palliative care kicks in early in the course of illness in conjunction with other treatment meant to prolong life such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Therefore palliative care for those with chronic life-threatening illness provides supports from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of treatment and provides care that increases quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and managing suffering. 

In contrast, Hospice care begins after treatment of the disease is stopped and when it is clear that the person is not going to survive the illness, but still providing comforts to the sick and the family.

FLASHBACK 2019:The dedicated and passionate team of walkers take a break for photo in the picturesque  Oratia Walk in Henderson: From left, Pushpa Adhar, Sunita Singh, Master Shiu Charan, yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh, Shashi Kala Singh and Satish Chand.

Dying is an inevitable part of life and no two end of life situations are the same. Despite advances in modern medicine, everyone will die one day. While treatment is available for most medical conditions, however some cannot be fixed. A life-limiting or terminal illness is an incurable condition that will eventually lead to a person’s death. 

Hence it is for those life-limiting or terminal illness that palliative care kicks in.

Therefore Shri Ram Mandir requests all in the community to join in its walkathon to raise funds for a very worthy cause accessible to all needing their services. Hospice provides care in your homes as well and costs are covered by government upon recommendation by the doctor. 

CEO of West Auckland Hospice, Barbara Williams. addressing Hindu Devotees at Shri Ram Mandir on the types of services Hospice provides and what is involved in palliative care. Looking on are her support staff: L-R 

Celia Palmer (Palliative Medicine Specialist), Bella Davis (Community Relationship Manager) and Stella McFarlene (Community Palliative Care Manager)

However, fundraising for this worthy cause is just part of the event on Sunday 22 March, 2020. It is an opportunity to create awareness of well-being, healthy living, walking and exercising. It is also an effort to engage with the wider community, including children, youths, elders, women and people from all walks to life – enhancing diversity and multiculturalism. The walk will end in Henderson Park where a family sports day and carnival is organised, with food stalls and fun play and games for the whole family.

So, come along and join us for a worthy cause.

FLASHBACK 2019: The colourful Rewa team of walkers (in red), led by Viren Lal (extreme left), with two Tavua (yellow) walkers as well.

For any further information or additional sponsorship forms and contributions, please feel free to contact:

Ravend Kishore on phone 021-2161894 e-mail ravenkishore@gmail.com or

Madhavan Raman on Phone on 027 8200 006 email madhavan.raman@xtra.co.nz

Other details are at Shri Ram Mandir Facebook page or can be obtained by contacting the Mandir on: 09-836 4647.

Shri Ram Mandir would be honoured to have you as part of this commendable deed.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist and a Mandir devotee, and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. He has been a part of Shri Ram-A-Thon community service since its inception in 2014]

AN OPEN LETTER TO FIJI PM: THE GREAT FIJI HINDI DEBATE - AN ASSAULT ON FIJI INDIAN CULTURE THROUGH STEALTH

AN OPEN LETTER TO FIJI PM: THE GREAT FIJI HINDI DEBATE - AN ASSAULT ON FIJI INDIAN CULTURE THROUGH STEALTH

Dear Prime Minster,

Bula and Happy and a Prosperous New Year.

I lost all avenues and decided to take this unprecedented means to write this open letter to you through my blog, FIJI PUNDIT

This was to get your attention on a very crucial matter affecting my community in Fiji. My blog is seen and read by thousands of your supporters in Fiji Indian Diaspora spread around the world, through social media.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was seen as a ray of hope, and savior for Fiji Indians in the doom and gloom of  past ethno-nationalist leaders and Fijian Governments. He was seen by some as a reincarnation, as promised by Lord Krishn in Gita, that he would come back when people are in strife. Therefore this act of assault on Fiji Indian culture is seen as something foreign from his Government.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain neutrality.

This was originally said by Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, many centuries ago.

In our lifetime, Martin Luther King Jr, repeatedly quoted it with some addition: 

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

In fact this was also President John F Kennedy’s famous quote based on Dante’s Inferno (Hell), with a slight variation…”…: those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.

While initially uttered many centuries ago, they still ring true in case of Fiji today. 

This applies aptly to Radio Fiji’s unilateral decision to railroad Fiji Hindi in one of its stations, and many maintaining their neutrality in this time of moral crisis. And we do not know where this demolition of our culture will stop.

What I am questioning is not the fact that it has been done, but HOW and the manner of its implementation, and WHY.

Before I venture further, I have some questions, which themselves may be the answers to this sacrilege. Perhaps the public face of this desecration, CEO of FBC Riyaz Saiyad Khaiyum, Shammi Lochan and Roshika Deo can answer them.

It is time Radio Fiji grew up and became real voice of the nation and represents the people it serves. Is it worth for it to go against the majority wishes of its audience, assuming they ever cared to measure them at all?

Sir, I humbly pose these questions to you as well, as the last one refers to you directly.

And I also challenge those others with influence, power and authority who could have done something, but reserved their “hot places” by maintaining and preserving their “neutrality”.

Please, go ahead, make my day, and answer them:

1) Was such a crucial matter of cultural policy which has the potential to affect the life of a whole community now and into the future, debated in Parliament?

2) What do all those Fiji Indians on government benches think? Are they complicit in this arrant act of cultural vandalism and destruction?

3) Was there any wide public consultation from experts and interested parties instead of being railroaded in this unilateral fashion?

4) Who in and around FBC are even remotely experts in linguistics and effects and impacts of such “bastardization” of language on a culture?

5) And where is Fiji Broadcasting Commission Board? Were they ever consulted, and did they give their green light to fixing of something that was never broken? What are their priorities? Are they sleeping on the job?

6) Use of proper Hindi in Fiji Broadcasting Commission (FBC) was never questioned in its 66 years of existence by its highly QUALIFIED AND DESERVING (my emphasis) Board, CEO, celebrated management and announcers. In fact people studied Hindi to join Radio Fiji. Then who are these minnows to implement this controversial, questionable, unethical and immoral change?

7) And Sir, where are you? Sir, you projected yourself as the saviour of Fiji Indians when on 6 December, 2006, you deposed Laisenia Qarase because of SDL’s ethno nationalism that was hurting Fiji Indian community. Is not Radio Fiji repeating what an ITaukei ethno-nationalist government would have done?

Is there any monkeying around with Fiji Indian culture, with "bastardization" of Hindi in Mirchi FM?

Sir, the fact that Fiji tax-payer funded public broadcaster, FBC, running Mirchi FM has abandoned Hindi in favour of Fiji Hindi is not surprising at all. Many unilateral decisions taken in Fiji recently, without any consultation and discussion would raise some eyebrows.

Unfortunately Fiji Indians in general and Hindus in particular where this assault is directed seem to have lost the fight and vision that our forebears Girmitiyas possessed. One may question, where is Sanatan? Where is Arya Samaj? Where is Fiji Girmit Council, Brahman Sabha, Pundits and so-called guardians of Hindi Language? Have their respective leadership lost their manhood and become what we call impotent? Are people prepared to sell their souls for political favours, commercial gains and other self-interest through fear or favour? 

The lion-heart National President of TISI Sangam, Sadasivan Naicker, who did not mince his words when he rebuked Radio Fiji for this act, akin to blasphemy. He blamed them for "bastardization" of Hindi.

I must salute TISI Sangam, and its National President, Sadasivan Naicker who took the initiative and lead with a hard-hitting press statement without fear or favour. He delivered Radio Fiji a hard slap: 

This is unprofessional and unethical for any medium to promote Fiji Hindi. This is an insult and rape of Hindi language. Erosion of Hindi will have unprecedented negative effects on Hindu religion, and in effect is “standardization “of Hindi.

TISI Sangam was meekly followed by Sanatan, where its National Secretary took the platform of an International Hindi Conference to plead with Radio Fiji not to use a broken Hindi. Labour and NFP also opposed this move by Radio Fiji.

Unlike those who have imposed this unilateral decision to abandon Hindi for Fiji Hindi, I have experience in this matter. I was involved in promoting Fiji Hindi in Fiji media almost three decades ago. I wrote a weekly page in Fiji Times-owned Hindi Weekly, Shanti Dut, in Fiji Hindi, Lo Kar Lo Baat (Let’s talk) in 1990s.

Following popularity of that, Radio Fiji Two adopted that principle. I ran Fiji Hindi program in Radio Fiji in 1999 / 2000, Tanik humri bhi suno, (hey, dude, hear me out) and currently run similar programme, Lo Kar Lo Baat in APNA TV in Auckland. 

This was and is merely done to acknowledge FIJI HINDI as our mother tongue. We need to appreciate that in countries where Indian indentured labourers lost their mother tongue, they lost the umbilical cord to Hindi. Fiji was fortunate in that regard.

Fiji Broadcasting Commission which went of air in 1954, never had any complaints in its 66 years history from its Fiji Indian audience  that anybody had any difficulty in understanding Hindi. That appears to be an excuse for those behind the push for Fiji Hindi. The souls of its past departed management and some distinguished and honorable announcers like Pundit Devakar Prasad, Pundit Ambika Maharaj, Sami Mudaliar, Anirudh Diwakar, Bahenji Vaishnoi and Shabila Singh, among others, would be crying today seeing the gutter level to which their beloved station has degenerated into.

We had a different breed of Girmitiyas -ordinary people who did extraordinary things in extraordinary circumstances. They preserved their language which in turn led to survival, and in fact, promotion of Hindi.

My use of Fiji Hindi in media was more for entertainment, and an acknowledgement and salute to our mother tongue, and also Hindi.

Eminent and distinguished Ba scholars and authors Jogindar Singh Kanwal and Rajendra Prasad reiterated the importance of Fiji Hindi in an earlier article. They likened Fiji Hindi as a jewel in the crown, Hindi. While a jewel adds colour, glitter and beauty to the crown, it itself can NEVER REPLACE THE CROWN.

Prime Minister Bainimarama has always been seen as somebody with a very huge heart for diversity and a sensitivity towards all people. Therefore what is happening at Radio Fiji seems odd. It appears,  he has been kept in the dark on this matter that could cost him election, as there is huge opposition to this controversial move.

I repeat the same thing, with an analogy to food. Fiji Hindi is chutney, condiments which add taste, texture, and flavour to the main course, HINDI. But, chutney cannot be the main course - hence, FIJI HINDI CAN NEVER BE THE MAIN FOOD. 

Sir, I plead that nobody has any business to replace Hindi as language in any public-owned radio station.

People of Fiji are worried about some controversial actions of your Government which appears to go against some objectives, intentions and promises you made when you displaced Qarase in 2006. One of them was to protect interests of Fiji Indians which the past ethno nationalist governments trashed on.
 

FIJI PUNDIT is reminding the Prime Minister Bainimarama that when he deposed and replaced SDL and Qarase in 2006, among others, he promised to rescue Fiji Indians from persecution of Fijian ethno-nationalist leaders and governments. Therefore, insensitivity shown to Fiji Indians in this Mirchi FM fiasco seems unusual - in fact, ironical.

Sir, as raised in the last question above, among other things, you removed Laisenia Qarase because of SDL’s ethno nationalism that was hurting Fiji Indian community.

Is not Radio Fiji repeating what an ITaukei ethno-nationalist government would have done?

Sir, I plead to you. Perhaps it is time you sat back into Fiji Government’s driver’s seat when it comes to such crucial national matters affecting Fiji and its community.

It cannot be left to amateurs – bereft of any vision. 

Sir, I remain a humble servant of the community.

Sincerely,

Thakur Ranjit Singh,
FIJI PUNDIT

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is an Auckland-based journalist and a media commentator, who runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. He also retains his Fijian citizenship. He has wide and long association with Fiji media, and is a former Publisher of Fiji’s Daily Post newspaper which Qarase’s SDL government closed down]

FIJI HINDI:A JEWEL IN THE CROWN THAT CANNOT, AND SHOULD NOT BE THE CROWN

Fiji Hindi: A Jewel in the Crown That Cannot, and should not be the Crown

Guest Writer - Rajendra Prasad

[First published in Fiji Sun in January, 2011]

Eminent educationist, author and poet, Jogindar Singh Kanwal of Ba gave his well-considered expose on Fiji Hindi debate on 16 December, 2010 in Fiji Sun. He emphatically maintained that Fiji Hindi is a jewel that can beautify the crown, but it in itself can never be the crown.

What he meant was that while it has its place in our everyday life, it has no place in formal occasion, or being formalized or taught. We are fortunate to have the good fortune of sharing the wisdom, knowledge and experience of a person of such repute and to make an informed decision on this sensitive issue. I share his sentiments.

JOGINDAR SINGH KANWAL- an author, educationist, philanthropist and supporter of both Fiji Hindi and Standard Hindi. He published an article a decade ago, and gave respect for the place of Fiji Hindi in our society. But unlike the action of Fiji Government, he believed that Fiji Hindi should never be formalized, and is not proper to be taught or replace Hindi. The decision by Radio Fiji to have Fiji Hindi in one of its stations would have really hurt him. He maintained, while Fiji Hindi is a jewel in the crown which adds value and beauty to  it, this jewel cannot itself replace the crown, Hindi, as Mirchi FM have implemented.

Indeed, Fiji Hindi is strongly rooted within Indo-Fijians and it is a robust language spoken across the world wherever Indo-Fijians live. They relish their language and they speak Fiji Hindi gleefully among themselves, particularly those who now live abroad because it evokes nostalgic memories and longing for the land of their birth. While it may lack dignity of Hindi and may be labelled as crude, however it is a treasure to our community that has given identity and dignity to our distinct Indo-Fijian culture.

Indeed, Fiji Hindi is embedded in our culture and is its official voice. What others say, how they perceive and react has really not bothered us because Fiji Hindi is a creation of our forebears that germinated in the turbulence of history, nurtured in poverty and today resonates as the badge of our identity. 

Historically, Fiji Hindi evolved in an environment that was both traumatic and chaotic. It was the hostile environment of Girmit where people from different parts of India, speaking different dialects and with different customs and traditions were herded together for a common purpose. For their masters, the British and the CSR Company, the Girmitiyas were nothing but units of labour that had to be exploited in the sugarcane fields of Fiji. It increased the profits of the CSR Company and maintained the economic viability of the colony. In this concept, the Girmitiyas were treated like the drought animals of the CSR Company and as serfs to the colonial Government. The atrocious conditions brought pressure on them to seek a middle ground to communicate with each other. 

In Fiji, the victims of pain and suffering united, as they leaned on each other for comfort, care and support. The only jewel in their possession was their culture and language of communication and when they could not understand each others dialect, they began sharing it.

Those that spoke Bhojpuri and Awadhi dialects comprised the majority and these dialects underwent a process of fusion, giving birth to Fiji Hindi. Essentially, it became a ‘kaam chalaao’ (make do) language through use and abuse but found refinement, as Hindi began to be taught in schools. However, it is not structured and will crumble when scrutinized for grammar and syntax.

RAJENDRA PRASAD is the Guest Writer for FIJI PUNDIT. This article was first published a decade ago, and he supports J.S Kanwal that this jewel, Fiji Hindi, cannot and should not be the Crown, which is Hindi. Rajendra is author of two books on Fiji's history.  tells the history from a non-academic angle, and hence told history without fear or favor, as his work did not depend on lucrative funding for politically correct history. His work, apart from numerous articles, includes TEARS IN PARADISE,  and ENSLAVED IN PARADISE

Interestingly, during the indenture period and up to the 1960s, people who originated from South India spoke their own dialects, namely Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam. It was even taught in schools established under the Sangam umbrella but the power of Hindi films, songs and dominance of North Indian dialects in Fiji gradually saw these dialects dissipate, as Fiji Hindi comprised of Bhojpuri, Awadhi and original Hindi consolidated. 

Historically, Fiji Hindi has considerably refined but is inextricably linked to the Hindi language. It cannot and must not be separated because Fiji Hindi is like a stream that will eventually end up in the river of Hindi language. It will be a natural consequence, as it grew out of it. But Fiji Hindi, within the foreseeable future, will retain its distinctiveness and remain part of our community. 

I agree that Fiji Hindi cannot and should not be taught in schools, as it also lacks the basics to capture emotions effectively. Items in English or any other language cannot be translated to give its emotional effect in Fiji Hindi. However, same can be most effectively translated in the Hindi language, echoing the heart-touching emotions.

Also, eulogies delivered at funerals are always delivered in proper Hindi and never in Fiji Hindi because Fiji Hindi lacks the essential texture to capture the dignity or solemnity of the occasion. Indeed, no one would have the courage to use Fiji Hindi on such occasions for fear of being reviled or ridiculed. 

Even on religious occasions or marriages the Pundits use proper Hindi and Fiji Hindi is never used and cannot be used because it is extremely shallow on impact. Indeed, any Pundit using  Fiji Hindi in conducting poojas is more likely to lose his punditry and would generally be regarded as shallow, illiterate and become object of ridicule.

Politicians too use proper Hindi when addressing public gatherings and any politician addressing such gatherings in Fiji Hindi would be assured to spend time outside and not inside the Parliament!

Further, few writers have tried to write in Fiji Hindi and the most notable work has been done by Professor Subramani who wrote ‘Dauka Puraan’. It is an outstanding attempt by a person whose proficiency in both Hindi and English is respected. However, most people found Dauka Puraan a difficult read and it did not ignite a desire in Indo-Fijians to take Fiji Hindi to the next level. The version of Fiji Hindi used in Dauka Puraan in Vanua Levu remarkably differed from that used in Viti Levu

DAUKA PURAAN was a mammoth effort by Professor Subramani of USP to write this 520-page novel in Fiji Hindi. As it was mostly in Vanua Levu version of Fiji Hindi, I, with others found difficulty in getting used to his version. While it was very commendable, no other huge work has been taken to write another novel in Fiji Hindi.

Other attempts by various writers, outside our community, have also failed to see Fiji Hindi established as a written language.

I strongly share the views of Mr. J.S. Kanwal and would like to see Fiji Hindi retain its place, as a ‘conversational language’ within our community. It is our heritage and a legacy to be left for successive generations. It is a beautiful language that is Fiji made and has served our community through every season and situation. We have an emotional attachment to it but this is not a reason for it to be de-linked from its origins. Hindi language will remain its solid anchor. 
Even many of our Fijian brothers and sisters have learnt it and it is a pleasure to hear them speak because they add a distinct flavor to it! Indeed, Fiji Hindi will not dissipate or diminish because it is firmly rooted in the fertile roots of our community. 

It is a treasure that needs to be promoted among the future generations so that we can retain our cultural distinctiveness. 

It is a historical treasure that must not be squandered. 

[Rajendra Prasad is the author of book, Tears in Paradise – Suffering and Struggles of Indians in Fiji 1879-2004. Subsequently he authored Enslaved in Paradise - A history of Mammoth Betrayals of Fijians by the British, Chiefs and Leaders of Fiji 1876-2006. This is an edited version of Fiji Sun article of January, 2011]