A smooth landing from Los Angeles to Nadi: Thanks to Air Pacific

A smooth landing from Los Angeles to Nadi: Thanks to Air Pacific

Thakur Ranjit Singh

As the Boeing 737-800 of Delta Airlines, eased into descent mode in a flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles on 16 August, 2012, it was relieving to leave a burning and extremely hot Sacramento. Temperatures here stood at above 38-41 deg C (over 100 F, climaxing at 107) some eight days in a row, when our Fiji hardly heats above 32. Sacramento Airport has really expanded to international level, in an expanding region with some 2.5 million people. In case you did not know, Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California. In 1967, former president, Ronald Reagan became its governor, and actor of the action movies Commando and the latest one, Expendables 2, Arnold Schwarzenegger was its last governor. Sacramento was cited by Time magazine as America's most ethnically and racially integrated city in 2002. Indeed, it is. You ask any Fijian in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, somebody would have a relative in Sacramento- so great is Fijian (Indo Fijian) population there, perhaps most for any US city. I have over 100 in-laws, and many people are there through family sponsorships. They are doing well, they have a Mandir, numerous mandalis, have many ritual activities, but social issues and family problems, despite wealth of America, are always there. Richness or being wealthy never solves any social problems. And, yes, they also have English/ Hindi newspaper, Sanatan Sandesh, run by a former Fijian, Kishore Gokul for I which I am a regular writer.

So, on this clear afternoon, as Delta flight 4502 glided over Los Angeles, the huge city of Hollywood looked magnificent with tall buildings, and mountains on one side leading on to a blue, deep port on the seaside. After glidingly descending for another 25 kilometres, we approached Los Angeles International Airport. The airport looked strange and unwelcome; there were airlines of many rich developed and other Asian and South American nations. Air New Zealand and Qantas gave us some familiarity and assurance of South Pacific connection. But I was looking for that reassuring sign of our rainbow colour, and lo behold, there it was. As we eased on the ground, near Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) I could see the tail of our island in the sky-yes, our Air Pacific. It was so assuring to see this familiar Pacific sign on this international airport where our part of the world was missing. In Los Angeles, just seeing you Air Pacific in our unique colours is so reassuring that your friend and island in the sky is nearby. Other countries in the Pacific, notably, Samoa, because of our problems, wanted to replace Fiji as the hub and administration centre of Pacific. Even they, including other rival Pacific neighbours have no capability to have their airlines in Los Angles; hence Fiji really flies the flag of Pacific in Los Angeles. It is so reassuring to know that from next year, it will be flying Fiji’s flag, as Fiji Airways. And Tom Bradley terminal is so familiar to many Fijians who have passed through LA. This terminal opened for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games and is named in honor of Tom Bradley, the first African-American and longest serving (20 years) mayor of Los Angeles, and champion of LAX.

Tom Bradley International Terminal is just minutes walk if you are coming by Delta or United, but there are good sign-posting for those who are confused, and free buses. The ground staff are very friendly to advice on directions. It always helps to arrive four to five hours before the flight to Nadi to avoid crowding; check in open at 6.30 pm for the 11.30 flights; hence you have five hours before flight time. Facilities in TBIT are good with many food outlets including many types of pizzas and Mc Donald. For Fijians linking from Canada, San Francisco or Sacramento, you can bring your roti parcels or sandwiches if you do not like junk food. Make sure to bring in bottles of water if you have long wait, as no drinking fountains are available at TBIT check in area, but discard all liquids before going in for security check. However if you miss your meal then air hostesses in the plane are very friendly and efficient and hot food served is much enjoyable and better now than cold sandwich wrap that I received in 2010. I experienced big improvements after two years.

 If two of you are travelling then inside aisle seats are recommended because then you will not be disturbed by anybody else to stand up, with four seats, two exits on each side respectively. Choosing window seats for two people would be uncomfortable, with three seats in window side rows. One stranger would be disturbed every time you go out in the 10 hour flight. The seat configuration in Air Pacific’s 747-400 is three- four- three (3-4-3). Do not choose window seats if you do not have to, because you hardly see much except for a few minutes light of LA as it is a night flight. Even landing at Nadi is often in dark, in early hours of the morning.

The in flight service was very good, meal and a breakfast plus drinks all throughout the night, and good opportunity to sleep as well, after takeoff. Compared to my flight in 2010, this flight was in a better-fitted aircraft with better seating space and other facilities.

I must commend our captains and accompanying offices, I found smooth landings in all Air Pacific flights and at times you do not feel when you have already landed. When I disembarked the flight after 10 hours flight, for somebody over mid-fifties, I still felt fresh and energetic. The new arrival card is a welcome change where all racial references are removed and you are only treated equally as a Fijian. The welcome change is arrival at the arriving lounge where instead of a boiler room as in the past, you are in an air-conditioned nicer area which could be further improved. The immigration officers were helpful and smiling, unlike those unfriendly zombies I found in Canadian Greyhound bus offices and grumpy officers at American-Canadian border near Surrey. More often than not, the visitors queue tends to be very long.

Thank God for the new Government’s policy on dual citizenship, I checked in LA on NZ passport, but used my Fiji passport to enter Fiji at Nadi Airport. I went in as a breeze in the Fiji citizen counter and had done my duty –free shopping and was collecting my baggage when my wife joined me downstairs from the long visitors queue with an NZ passport. In fact the inbound duty-free shopping, taken for granted in our part of the world is foreign to Vancouver. Never put off duty free-buying to Vancouver in-bound as they do not have any. This plus duty free shops allowance of only one bottle spirit  is a Canadian policy of reducing alcohol usage.

There is so much of welcome change at Nadi Airport where the scanning of baggage has made customs clearance so efficient and fast. I found myself outside the terminal just half an hour after landing when as usual, I had allowed an hour for this. My trip into Nadi from Los Angeles after two years was a complete contrast to 2010 when I found that a burden. Now, it was a breeze and thanks Fiji for the progress you have made.

For those critical of Fiji, you need to make a trip to experience the change. And thanks to Air Pacific, our international pride for spreading its wings with pride in parts of the world most airlines from our part of the world does not fly to- that is our Air Pacific, soon to be Fiji Airways.

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

[Thakur Ranjit Singh was on a trip to Canada and USA and notes his personal experience, services and advice. He has been round the world twice, loves travelling and writing about his experience. This is a travel segment that we will endeavor to bring on a regular basis to assist and inform visitors in planning their trip. Further information on flights can be obtained at Air Pacific website: www.airpacific.com]

The Indo Fijian Easter conventions should unite the people

The Indo Fijian Easter conventions should unite the people

Thakur Ranjit Singh

[THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN ETHNIC PAPERS IN MAY, 2011]

Indo Fijian Conventions during Easter

Traditionally Easter had been a time for the Christian community in Fiji to immerse in prayers of the Lord and indulge in solemn religious activities. On the other hand, in a deeply religious Fiji with harmonious interfaith activities, Indo Fijians of Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths use this as a sporting and social occasion where Indo Fijian Diaspora  from around the world descend in Fiji in show of family, religious and ethnic unity.

I have been advised by my Facebook contacts in Fiji that last Easter , from 22 to 25 April, 2011, Gujaratis had their convention in Rewa (Nausori), Sanatan at Rishikul in Nasinu, TISI Sangam at Nadi, Andhra Sangam in Rakiraki, Muslims in Lautoka and Sikhs in my hometown of Ba (Ba toh Ba hai -after all, Ba is Ba in uniqueness). That basically covers all the ethnic and religious dominations in the Indo Fijian community. During this period, the whole country would have been swarming with NRIF – Non Resident Indo Fijian. Consequently, no rental cars would have been available, most local hotels were booked out and tourism from the former residents with stronger dollars from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA were good boost for Fiji’s tourism and economy.

While all the ethnic organisations are unique and full of fun, joy and networking, the unmistakable leaders of all the gatherings is the TISI convention - Then India Sanmarga Ikya   Sangam representing majority of descendents of girmitiya (indentured) South Indians.

This is because despite representing a minority ethnicity among Indo Fijians, they are dominant in the extent, level and professionalism of their organisation. They are perhaps one of the most successful ethnic organisations in Fiji. Unlike the religious nature of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim gatherings, the TISI is more about ethnicity and South Indian ancestry. While most are Sanatanis or Hindus, some are also Christians or of other faiths, but all are free to participate as long as they have South Indian heritage. That is where the issue gets somewhat controversial, especially in the globalised world with migration of our people.

Challenges for overseas affiliates

The problem and criticism that Sangam has been facing is its male-oriented, some may call it male chauvinistic conventions where one is considered a South Indian only through paternal links. I have a niece who is married to a South Indian and her husband attended a Sangam forum in Brisbane that addressed the challenges the overseas Sangam affiliates were facing, which any ethnicity-based organisation would face in the globalised village. He saw the problems that an organisation like Sangam faced where membership was restricted to people who have a paternal South Indian link. He felt that it would be a bonus if our kids married a South Indian, but this is not so and we could not continue to have these groupings of socials/cultural groups because the future generations may not care and these organisations would die a natural death.

History

I tried to explain him through historical facts and linked these with the changes our migrant community has faced. Most early girmitiyas (indentured labourers) were North Indians from Uttar Pardesh and Bihar. Fewer numbers came from South India. Because of language problems and different look, they felt ridiculed and discriminated by other Indians in those dark days of girmit. Even the overseers (koolambars) were harsh on them, many went through greater difficulties.  They faced great hardship and difficulties even post-girmit. Through all this developed the Sangam, now TISI, to protect their heritage. They have done a great deal more, together with other girmit communities.  Even today they stand tall in ownership of schools, temples, nursing school, the ability to organise the convention in international style, women’s groups, youth groups and all facets of an ethnic organisation. I take my hat for people like my dear friend and class mate, Sada Sivan Naicker (originally from Ba, but now) of Nasinu for his selfless services to the community through TISI.

The advancement of Indo Fijians in general and South Indians in particular has now made the original purpose of the birth of Sangam somewhat obsolete. Now things have to change to attract the younger generation not put off by too much complicated and unexplained rituals and restrictions placed by a past generation.  Sangam is not a religious grouping as most are Sanatanis or Hindus. Sangam is an ethnic group. That is why we have so many South Indians playing in Sanatan Soccer teams.

Discrimination defying international laws

My friend Sada Sivan Naicker is married to his high school sweet- heart, Sarita, who happens to be a North Indian. Sada’s son Nitesh can play in Sangam tournament and is eligible for Sangam membership, he is classed a “Madrasi” or South Indian because his father, is a South Indian.

However, my nephew in Calgary, Melvin Singh is married to Shristi Ryan who is a South Indian. Melvin’s son is not eligible to be a member of Sangam according to Fiji rules and hence will not be able to play in Sangam soccer, because while his mother is South Indian, Melvin is North Indian. Such gender discrimination which goes against the spirit of human rights laws of most progressive democracies where our Diaspora has settled. This obviously could be soon challenged in court in this globalised world if Sangam does not come to terms with the globalisation of Indo Fijians in general, and “mixed” South Indians in particular. This rule has to change.

The advent of modern education, westernisation and more liberal thinking has led to many intermarriages and this will cause problems for Sangam worldwide. Hence Sangam should change this law before they are classed as hypocrites who adopt the good western ways, opportunities and wealth of the first world while embracing the third world gender and ethnic discrimination.

So, TISI has to come to terms with this and embrace international laws, as I am aware of the displeasure and broken hearts such draconian provisions are causing in Fiji. The NRIF (Non Resident Indo Fijian), with greater exposure to developed world may find such restrictions and discriminations abhorrent.

Perhaps it is time TISI heeded the message that the retired International Judge and Fiji’s statesman Hon Justice Jai Ram Reddy gave during Sangam Convention in 2003:

Lest we forget, let us remind ourselves once again that Sangam was conceived in benevolence. The name itself stands for coming together of people and the participatory process that it entails. It was born out of adversity that in times that were equally dark. I

 Salute all those who have persevered to keep the human values of love, compassion and service alive through Sangam. I urge you to work for the good of all the people of this country. Sangam has always given us a sense of security and identity. DO not do anything to weaken this organization. Take it from strength to strength so that we can all be proud to belong to the Sangam family.

Therefore the message for Sangam and all other participants during Easter convention was of coming together in this participatory process to unite through human values of love, and compassion.

It is ironical that while Commodore Bainimarama’s vision for Fiji is a country and its politics devoid of racism, the Indo Fijians continue to discriminate their own people based on gender and ethnicity.

(E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz)

(Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a community worker, a Trustee of Sanatan NZ and heads Sanatan Media Watch in New Zealand)