SHRADHAANJALI KE DOH PHOOL: A TRIBUTE TO GIYANNEDRA PRASAD

SHRADHAANJALI KE DOH PHOOL: A TRIBUTE TO GIYANNEDRA PRASAD

Thakur Ranjit Singh

My salutations to GIYANNENDRA PRASAD, Vakil (lawyer) Saab, a student-leader, a community leader, a lawyer, a politician and a model compassionate human being. 

He was born in Daku Labasa in rural Vanua Levu, Fiji through cane-farmer parents on 1 October, 1959. 

And he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in Auckland, New Zealand on 1 June, 2020 at age of just over 59 years, after a twenty-year gallant battle with cancer.

He was cremated at Anns Funeral Home and Onsite Cremations at 11 Bolderwood Place, Wiri, Manukau, Auckland on 3 June, 2020 during Covid 19 lockdown period, with restrictions of only 100 attendees in funerals.

We have been deeply honoured to have him amongst us as an exemplary person and an inspiration for all those who are going through adversity and difficulties in life.

Indeed, it was some 20 years ago that you were diagnosed with cancer; doctors had given up on you and predicted death so many times, but as a fighter, and with that Girmit spirit of perseverance, you fought on. And stared the death angel in the eyes, challenged it and beat it for so long. At last you succumbed to sickness - and called it a day, surrounded by loved ones. Indeed, an extremely valiant fighter.

In a message to family and friends, he paid gratitude to all for their support and messages of hope. He is satisfied he lived a full life, helped the family, and the needy. He departs happily and grateful that he fulfilled all his obligations to his loved ones. 

GIYANNEDRA PRASAD, with Fiji statesman and former World Court Judge HONORABLE JAI RAM REDDY, at Shri Ram Mandir during Mandir inauguration in May, 2015.

His biggest ambition was to see his daughter get educated and be able to step into his shoes. He has very admirably achieved that. His only daughter, Smita Prasad has graduated with BCom LLB (Hons) and as a father he is proud that he was able to make application to the High Court of New Zealand for her admission as a Barrister and Solicitor. Mission accomplished, with his beloved Smita now walking in the footsteps of her lawyer father.

Apart from his duties and obligations to his immediate and extended families, he also believed in the boon of parr-hitt, service to humanity. Giyannendra had been a pillar of strength to Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Auckland as one of its very distinguished Founding Trustees and steered and supported it during its formative years through his community experience and legal expertise. Its completion and continued success is a credit to him and other Trustees.

We are honoured to have a lawyer with a heart, as that is a rare attribute in that profession. You provided free services to the community and always helped out the vulnerable amongst us.

Like father, like daughter. A proud father GIYANNEDRA PRASAD (rightt), with lawyer daughter SMITA PRASAD, after admission as Barrister and Solicitor to High Court of New Zealand.

As a former Secretary of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA), I can vouch the services you provided this organisation some 15 years ago with your learned advice, guiding principles and legal acumen. You were instrumental in formation of Waitakere Hindi School as a separate entity, and its success now is another feather in you cap.

Giyannedra Prasad, (4th from right) when Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, was a regular attendee most Mandir events. Here he is seen, with his family and other fellow Trustees, offering  purnahuti to a Hawan at the Mandir in 2015

The inspiration we get from you is your Zinda-dil attitude, lion-heartedness and the fighter spirit to face adversity, challenge it, and fight it. These are the qualities the Girmitiya descendants got handed over the generations from those persevering people.

Yaar, Dost, Friend, you have made us stronger and more resolved to fight the adversities that destiny throws on our path - and fight it, and stand up to fight again…and again…and again….

When old friends meet. GIYANNEDRA PRASAD (centre) with his friend DR GUNASEGARAN (left), flanked by yours truly, THAKUR RANJIT SINGH. Dr Gunasegran was supposed to be a speaker at the funeral but could not attend because of closed borders.

Indeed, it is an honour to know you. Some time ago, I was fortunate to have linked up with you and your good and equally philanthropist friend and Parliamentary Colleague from Fiji, Dr Gunasegaran at your good friend, Mahendra Sharma’s place. With Dacter Saab, you share some fond and not so fond memories.

The not-so-fond memories were when both of you were George Speight’s hostages in Fiji Parliament with other People’s Coalition (Labour Party) Members of Parliament from 19 May, 2000 for 56 days. Dr Gunasegaran was supposed to be one of the four speakers during your funeral, but could not come because of Covid 19 closed borders.

His another Labour Parliamentary Colleague, Krishna Datt paid tribute to his “younger brother” and hailed him as a very rare person who would so welcome death. In a Facebook message, he added:” Giyannendra will never die. He will live on with our memories, teaching us meaning in life and how to face adversity with audacity and courage.” Krishna Datt was supposed to be second speaker at his funeral and lawyer friend, Subhash Parshottam was supposed to be the third speaker. Unfortunately, none of the three Fiji-based speakers could attend because of Covid 19 closed borders. The fourth speaker, Master Shiu Charan spoke about life, history and attributes of his former fellow Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir.

GIYANNENDRA PRASAD (right) with MASTER SHIU CHARAN (centre) and PRATAP CHAND during launch of Chand's book " A Fijian Memoir" in Auckland, New Zealand in September, 2013. Chand is also a Parliamentary collegue of Prasad.

Another Parliamentary Colleague and University mate, Dr Ganesh Chand recalls you as an energetic and effective student leader in your younger days at USP. Dr Chand remembers working with you together in Students Council. He fondly remembers you as a man of peace, fighter for justice, and a humble fellow Labasan.

Another friend and former academic of USP, Dr Vijay Naidu also paid tribute and passed his condolences to Veena and Smita and the family.

Giyannedra continued with community service after becoming a lawyer. In Fiji Parliament, you were the Deputy Speaker, and served your people well, especially in the forgotten Northern (Labasa) part of Fiji. For somebody who had risen so high, you were still well grounded firmly with your roots and aam aadmi - the common people.

THE PRASAD FAMILY: L-R: GIYANNENDRA, daughter SMITA and wife VEENA PRASAD during Smita's graduation.

Now, to the two women in your life. Wife Veena Prasad has been a pillar of strength, inspiration, hope and support for you - both in personal life as a wife and professional life as an assistant and a paralegal officer. She is an epitome of an exemplary Hindu wife who stood steadfastly beside her husband in his battles with cancer for two decades-in good times, and in bad times. 

Her devotion and selflessness may not have been recognised by other speakers and writers. I wish to take this opportunity to salute her for inspiring other wives supporting a husband through difficult and trying times. Veena will always be remembered for her faith, devotion and duties to her husband whenever people will remember Giyannedra. Aayushmaan Bhava, Devi.

VEENA PRASAD (Right) - the light in the life of her husband GIYANNEDRA PRASAD. We salute her for being a devoted wife and mother, who steadfastly stood beside her husband in all those trying times of sickness.

And of course your proud daughter, Smita Prasad who gave you the strength to fight with death for so long. She may perhaps be likened to a talisman, a jewel for which you struggled with Yam Doot, the angel of death, until she entered the bar and started walking in your footsteps. Now, lawyer Smita Prasad, BCom LLB (Hons), is ably following in your footsteps. In fact your passing away appears to be an iccha mrityu - as you have now realised your dreams and was ready for the final journey.

And as you said in your parting message, you have no regrets, fulfilled all you wishes and achieved the dream of passing your heritage to your daughter, Smita. 

You have now handed the baton over to her.

Lawyer Smita Prasad is a proud legacy you leave behind.

And for us all, a very inspirational memories of a fighter, where we may say…Tiger Abhi Jinda Hai…the fighter is still amongst us. Thanks for encouraging us to be fighters in life.

So long, friend.

Shat Shat Naman Vakil Babu.

Om Satgati.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist , media commentator and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. He covers news and information about his community not normally covered by other media]

HAS NIKKI KAYE AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OF 2014 GOT BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS?

Has Nikki Kaye and National Government of 2014 got blood on their hands?

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Todd Muller has been in the news after rolling Simon Bridges as National leader in a bruising leadership battle. But he was not very impressive and convincing as he failed to back his allegations on weaknesses of Labour and what he would do better.

Despite being critical of the government about economic recovery, he failed to give even one credible “light bulb” moment of his brilliance. He made himself out as a better salesman for National’s fortune. But the lament was that he turned up with absolutely nothing to sell. 

On that “Make America Great “souvenir cap, he came our as a spineless leader who buckled down to insignificant, unwarranted and unsubstantiated criticism from those who themselves have questionable and apparently oppressive headgear. 

And despite his claim of not opposing for the sake of opposing, he did exactly that. He failed to give that breath of fresh air to grasp opportunity of a visionary leader to work in collaboration with the government for the best of the country in this crisis. He is no different to Bridges in this respect. But they are issues for another day.

Because, this article is about Muller’s “Maori Hunter” Deputy Leader, Nikki Kaye, who revels in saying she defeated Jacinda Ardern twice. She gleefully adds that Jacinda lacks business background to resurrect New Zealand. But Nikki fails to say what she has achieved after beating Jacinda.

SANIL KUMAR, Fiji Indian, who was "sentenced to death" by being given 24 hours to clear -off from New Zealand by NZ Immigration under brief of Associate Minister, Nikki Kaye in 2014. The question that needs to be asked is would he have been "sentenced to death" if Jacinda Ardern was in leadership?  Nikki Kay's action was deemed heartless , lacking conscience and human values.

Nikki Kaye seems to have a short memory, and so do many of our readers. They say, in politics, the good or bad you do comes to haunt you. Nikki Kaye’s chooks have now come home to roost. She was accused of having blood on her hand and being a heartless National’s Associate Minister of Immigration in 2014.
Sanil Kumar from my hometown of Ba, Fiji was in New Zealand on a work permit. Unfortunately he suffered from a kidney infection which resulted in kidney failure, needing dialysis and transplant.

Despite assurance that the family had sufficient funds, he would not be a burden on state and assurance that Fiji did not have facilities for his health and wellbeing, he was kicked out of New Zealand to die, despite many pleas. It was akin to passing death sentence on Sanil Kumar.

Dr Rajen Prasad, Fiji Indian former Labour List MP also came on board to plead for mercy. Dr Prasad was fighting for Sanil to stay in NZ. A donor had been located, and there was no costs to taxpayers. Dr Prasad questioned why Sanil was sent to a death sentence and what was the need to have him sent to Fiji when funds had been collected and a donor finalized? 

The Associate Immigration Minister, Nikki Kaye was accused of being less than honest, passing the buck and using the privacy provision to escape her incompetency and lackadaisical attitude in handling this case. She blamed bureaucracy and others for her apparent dereliction of Ministerial duties.

Under her watch, Sanil Prasad had to leave NZ after he was given 24 hours to leave in May, 2014. He had been having dialysis in Fiji but unfortunately died on May 26, 2014 in Fiji. 

That death could have been avoided if the Minister had a heart and had compassionately allowed him to stay.

Salim Ashwin Singh, President of Wellington Indian Association, Wellington in 2014. He condemned in the strongest terms the government's decision to send Sanil Kumar to "death sentence" in Fiji, and"Mr Kumar’s demise should be on the collective conscience of the current Government."

The Fiji Indian Association Wellington Inc then was very critical of the Minister in particular and National Government in general. The then President, Salim A Singh had described as “heartless” the decision of the New Zealand Government to send the late Mr Sanil Kumar back to Fiji, despite his proven need for a kidney transplant. He said:

By refusing to allow him to remain in New Zealand, the Associate Minister of Immigration, Nikki Kaye actually imposed a death sentence on this young man. New Zealand Government decision was heartless and Mr Kumar’s demise should be on the collective conscience of current Government.

He added that he was confident such a decision would not have been taken by Governments led by compassionate leaders like the late David Lange, Helen Clark and Jim Bolger. Singh observed that the manner in which that matter had been handled by the Government showed a clear departure from normal New Zealand humanitarian values. 

Singh said the Minister’s refusal to intervene clearly displayed lack of compassion and human values of the then National Government. He added that the decision to send Sanil Kumar back to Fiji was condemned in the strongest terms possible.

Apart from this particular criticism, people of Ethnic and Pacific Island migrants were called on to elect a Labour Government to ensure they have somebody who do not kill their people. In addition, a government which is more humane and sympathetic to common poor, non-white migrants who feel closer to a Labour Government. 

Yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh, through media releases had passed a clear message to the then Labour leader David Cunliffe and his team to have a policy in place whereby they would not pass a death sentence on an ethnic migrant like the National Government had done.

Thakur, in a social media message, had accused National Government of having blood on its hands, and he hoped Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, African and collectively all migrants would elect a more humane government. 
They needed a government which treated its neighbours, visitors and people on work-permit with more dignity, compassion, and humanity, especially where it was NOT going to cost them any money.

Nikki Kaye's photo of 2014 when she was Associate Minister of Immigration in National Government. Now she is Deputy Leader of Opposition under leadership of Todd Muller in National Party.

Sanil was a useful migrant on work permit who added value while he was here. But upon his sickness, he was treated like an empty bottle and empty box, to be confined to a trash-bin.

Are we migrants still being used as scaffoldings, to be abandoned once the building is complete? Migrants were advised to have this in mind when voting in the next election, and elect a migrant - friendly government.

And that is exactly what happened three years later in 2017 when Labour Government came on board, and became a government with a heart and compassion, not only for migrants and ethnic people, but ALL people of New Zealand.

One thing is for sure- a compassionate and humane Jacinda Ardern would not and could never pass death sentence on any other vulnerable Sanil Kumar. Labour Government under her could never be that heartless.

Nikki Kaye need to come down to earth, and tell what she really accomplished after defeating Jacinda twice. Winning an election is one thing, but winning heart of common people is quite the other. She needs to learn from the person she defeated.

Nikki Kaye has blood on her hands for death of this young man, SANIL KUMAR, for the way he was treated by Immigration NZ. 

At least we are sure of one thing - Jacinda Ardern is too tall to pass death sentence on a vulnerable migrant as Nikki Kaye did in 2014. 
Hence, she could never beat Jacinda Ardern – and she needs to wipe that blood off her hands now, as she is supposed to be the deputy to Todd Muller.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a journalist and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. Extracts from this article are taken from his initial publication in his blog during Sanil’s death in May, 2014]

THE PERSON WHO “SHOT” SIMON BRIDGES: WAS THAT REALLY TODD MULLER?

THE PERSON WHO “SHOT” SIMON BRIDGES: A BRILLIANT SATIRE FROM

THE 1962 CLASSIC WESTERN

“The secret diary of… Todd Muller” by Steve Braunias (NZ Herald, 23rd May, 2020)

Steve Braunias, Senior Writer of NZ Herald pulls a masterpiece Satire from the 1962 classic Western black and white movie “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence”, starring John Wayne, James Stewart and Lee Marvin).

Steve Braunias did a brilliant juxtaposition of the scene from "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" with the recent bloody leadership scrap in the National caucus room

This satire, on demise of Simon Bridges by Todd Miller, is a brilliant satirical juxtaposition in the gunfight in the movie. Only those who have seen the movie, and older readers will get this satire, and the climax, which says a great deal without saying anything.

Please read the “diary’ below, and I will spill the bean at the end - revealing who “shot” Simon Bridges

THE DIARY [From NZ Herald, Saturday 23 May, 2020.]
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MONDAY
The main street was empty when I rode to the saloon this evening. "Easy," I said to my horse. The silence made it nervous.

The saloon was empty, too. A player piano in the corner struck up a honky tonk.

"Shot of whiskey," I said to the barman. He brought over the bottle, and poured.

"Not seen you in these parts before," he said.

"I've been coming in here every day since 2014," I said.

He studied my face. I took off my hat. He shrugged his shoulders.

I took a gulp. It burned my lungs. I said, "Why's it so quiet tonight?"

He poured himself a shot. His eyes were red. He said, "Ain't you heard? Sherriff Bridges is in a bad way. He done himself an injury. And now this whole damned town has gone to hell. Hell, I tell ya!"

He brought the bottle to his lips. I reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Mind telling me," I said in a low voice, "what happened?"

"He done shot himself in the darned foot," he said.

"Could happen to anyone," I said. "He done shot himself in both feet," he said.

I took the bottle and pulled on it. It lit a fire in my head. "Seems to me," I said, "like this town needs a new sheriff."

The music stopped playing.

The showdown in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence"

TUESDAY
I called in on Miss Kaye. She was darning socks with one hand, and fixing a barn door with the other. She's always had ambition.

" I want you to run as my deputy, " I said.

She lit a cheroot, and spat on the floor. Her blonde hair shone like gold.

"The townsfolk like you," I said. "They all remember how you done taught Miss Ardern a lesson."

"Not once, but twice," she said. The memory brought a smile to her lips. She sipped her sherry, and powdered her face.

"Deputy, " she said. "Yeah. Okay. But just tell me one thing."

"Shoot."

"What did you say your name was?"

WEDNESDAY
I called in on Miss Collins. She was in her attic, wearing a white lace dress and singing to a porcelain doll in her lap.

"Get the hell out of here," she shrieked.

Scruffy fight for leadership could have been avoided if Simon Bridges had realised his end-of- road in leadership capability, and handed over the baton peacefully, and in a dignified manner like Andrew Little realised his limitations, and peacefully passed Labour leadership to Jacinda Ardern without any blood.

THURSDAY
I saw Sherriff Bridges limping down the main street. The sky was dark and a dog barked. He headed into the saloon. I went in after him. He stood at the bar and ordered a cognac. He always did have class.

"Tomorrow," he said, "at high noon."

The player piano struck up a slow ballad. I wanted to cry. The sheriff was a good man. But he'd had his time. The town needed to be saved.

The Man who shot Liberty Valence was John Wayne, and not James Stewart (as Stewart thought). Likewise, the person who "shot" Simon Bridges was NOT Todd Muller, but Jacinda Ardern, as brilliantly implied and satirised in diary of Steve Braunias.

FRIDAY
High noon.

The air was cool and a donkey brayed. I saw Miss Kaye's face pressed against the window of the upstairs hotel. Miss Collins was in her attic, shrieking. Miss Bennett sat on the saloon porch in her rocking chair. It creaked.

A bead of sweat rolled into my eye. My hands started shaking.

"Draw," said Sherriff Bridges.

There was a flash of silver and a puff of smoke — from behind the sheriff's back. He fell to the ground. I walked over to him.

"Todd," he said.

His voice sounded far away.

I stood up, and walked to the saloon. Miss Bennett was nowhere to be seen. The town was still deadly quiet.

"The usual," I said to the barman.

"Not seen you in these parts before," he said.

A voice came from the shadows of the bar. "Well, now. Looks like there's a new sheriff. Let me buy you that drink, pardner."

I peered into the darkness. It was Miss Ardern. SHE PUT HER GUN ON THE TABLE (My emphasis)

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In the climax of the movie, Stewart, who is novice with a gun, faces, Valence (Lee Marvin) in the draw and shoots him dead. But unbeknown to him, it was the experienced marsman and gunfighter John Wayne who shot Liberty Valence, from the shadows.

And in the dairy above, that is where Jacinda Ardern walks from darkness and puts her gun on table.

Climax: 

IT WAS ARDERN WHO “SHOT” SIMON, UNBEKNOWN TO TODD.

[About the author: Steve Braunias of NZ Herald wrote the dairy above. This was a brilliant piece from him, who should get an award for this. It was for that reason that Thakur posted it here, for benefit of those who do not get to read NZ Herald, and those who have not seen the Western movie or know the plot. Thakur Ranjit Singh, is a media commentator, and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT]

SEEKING CHANGE FROM PUNDITS - SAVIORS OF OUR RELIGION - PART 2

SEEKING CHANGE FROM PUNDITS: SAVIORS OF OUR RELIGION -PART 2

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Part 1 of my article did ruffle a few dhotis…oops, feathers. In fact that has been my intention.

Professional Accountants, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers and even Christian Priests have a code of conduct and some general rule under which to operate. They lose their rights to practice if there is a breach.

In our developed world where Hindus have gone in larger numbers, their so-called heads and saviours of religion do not seem to have any such restraints –and their interests have been safe-guarded by like-minded swamis who wrote their rules centuries ago that Brahm Ninda (defaming Brahmins) is a cardinal sin.

Time is ripe for them to be shown the mirror to see their reflections-and some are not too pleased with their reflections. All they need to do is to improve the picture if they do not like it. I have no animosity with any Pundit. However, it appeared some felt that they could do whatever under the mistaken rules that some smelly bearded Swami wrote centuries ago that "brahm ninda" is like Gau hatya (criticism of Brahmins is like killing a cow)

Nothing in Hinduism is cast in stone. Lord Krishn, in Bhagavat Gita preached that change is inevitable fact of life. Hence the fact that Pundits feel shielded from the Commandment that they are above criticism is contradicted. Like Arjun with Gandiu Bow, modern men, with pen and keyboard need to become the medium of change. That is what is intended of this article

Little did they realise that Lord Ram and Krishna showed and taught us ways to change nonsensical, cruel and outdated parampara, systems and tradition (reet) - masquerading as religious practices. Therefore people need to demand proper conduct from those who are profiteering from being the middlemen between us and our Gods. They cannot remain shielded and protected from such outrageous, protectionist, unfair, conceited, biased and unjustified commandments.

As code of conducts would demand, we need pracharaks, Pundits and preachers who demand respect and themselves evoke all the good characters they preach us about.

Do these preachers themselves have exemplary life practices? Have they been able to have happy united families and obedient children? Do they respect women, children and elders equally and have compassion? Are they “clean’ and not using their position to gain through their religious position in any other forms? 

Siya Ke Ram, TV Serial, based on Valmiki Ramayan rightly portrayed Lord Ram as a medium of change. And this article is supposed to invoke such a change - the way Hindus view their Pundits, God and relationship with their Gods.

Have they been able defeat five thieves:  kaam (lust), krodh (wrath,anger), lobh (greed) moh (attachment) and ahankar (ego or excessive pride). At least there should be some evidence that they are more righteous than us common mortals. 

If not, then what the hell are they doing on “vyas gaddi’, on the speaking pulpit, teaching us to do things they themselves cannot do-or at least show an effort of doing so?

Some of us are miser people, who would not donate a dime to a needy person but would save and give big loads to Pundits in name of culture and tradition, and as a guilty conscience to pay for our bad ways through pooja and Daan. Now, what do these priest do with this continuous “Daan” (offerings) they receive that they and their families cannot use in their lifetime?

I am merely showing the community the mirror. There are some shameful things I feel ashamed to mention here. I know of some of these priests using their position in society to exploit people in many shameful ways with very questionable “loose” characters (Please do not ask me what that means).

However, I do not care about those. But in this time of need, I care about the items they receive in name of culture that rot, and gets expired, or sold in some cases, rather than being used for the needy in Covid 19. 

I am now coming to COVID 19. Many of our priests who we have had as our “kul”(fixed) Pundit may have been receiving financial benefits and basin-full of goodies over many decades. For the first time we are in a crisis, a lockdown, many without jobs, and needing assistance, if not financial, at least moral and other support. Each of these pundits may have some 1000 yajmaan (clients), if not more. How many of them have called their suffering yajmaan, especially the elderly, to offer solace, assistance and word of encouragement? 

They have been receiving calls from yajmaan over the decades for pooja etc. Have they returned those calls when they could have made a difference in these trying times? Don’t they owe a duty of care? How many of you have heard from your Pundits? 

All Mandirs and places of worship are closed. Should they be? Yes, for maintaining social distancing, but also YES for granting aid to those who have supported them all along? They have been benefiting from us for decades. Isn’t it time they returned the favour to people who had been financing these institutions and priests. 

FIJI PUNDIT is calling for exemplary behaviour from Pundits if they wish to remain credible preachers and regarded as saviors of our religion.

Isn’t it time, more people stood up and question about our outdated practices of giving so much power in religion to the middlemen between you and your Gods? And now, when you need them, are they anywhere to be seen or heard? Isn’t it time we reconsider about our DIRECT relationship with God?

It is nice to see some Sikh organisations and some Hindu Mandirs, institutions and some Pundits coming out to help. Thanks to them. But my concern is directed at the ones who have gone in complete “Lockdown.” Many may have done things in their own rights, but have they cared about their ‘yajmaan” when they longed to hear the assuring voice of their “Maharaj?”

All I am asking is some reciprocity (pay back) from Hindu priests who until now have been beneficiary of our age old rituals, culture and outdated thinking.
Perhaps when the dust of Covid 19 clears, we all need to rethink about position of Pundits in our information-filled community and a time to press REFRESH and REBOOT button on Hinduism. With changing times, there is need for change, at least in the developed world and a rethink about outdated ways our ancestors carried in Fiji.

For Pundits who are operating in developed countries, there appears to be absence of any code of conduct and acceptable practices. They feel protected from the commandment that brahm ninda is like gau hatya (criticm of brahmins is equivalent to killing a cows). Hence there is no compulsion on them on the way they operate. FIJI PUNDIT is calling of a change from Hindus to demand those high level of conduct from the middlemen between them and their Gods.

I am sure, many of my friends will say, if I am getting looted or used by my Pundit in the name of parampara or culture, so why is Thakur concerned? (Thakur ke ka piraaye - how does it affect Thakur?

Same way as it affected Lord Ram and he put a stop to outdated and obsolete culture and ways. Same way as Lord Krishna preached in Bhagavat Gita that change and parivartan is inevitable. 

You do not need Arjun with "Gandiu” bow to bring change. All you need is a Narad Muni Journalist, FIJI PUNDIT, with pen and keyboard to bring about a paradigm shift-nazaria ke pher, a change of viewpoint.

Our modern Hindus have democratic right to be “used” and misled in the name of parampara, tradition, but like Ram and Krishn, I am urging you to REDISCOVER and RECREATE your ways in life.

You have full right to ignore this - and continue doing what you have been doing, but allow others to see the light.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a journalist, a community worker and a practising Hindu who believes that change is inevitable. He subscribe to the principle that it is height of absurdity and gullibility to be shackled by outmoded and obsolete practises under the guise of parampara and tradition] 

A TIME FOR PARADIGM SHIFT IN OUR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES? - PART 1

A TIME FOR PARADIGM SHIFT IN OUR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES? PART-1

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Corona Virus and this lock down in our homes have taught us humans one great lesson about religion.

And that is that, as our forebears discovered and created our religion many centuries ago, the current crisis, Covid 19, has now forced us to REDISCOVER, RECREATE and RE-CALIBRATE that religion.

As an alien in Aamir Khans “PK” movie said, one God created us, and we created so many. 

I feel sorry for others whose religions are cast in stone and cannot be criticized, discussed or modified to be relevant with the changing times.

Thank God, I am a Hindu, and hence I do not even belong to a religion, AS HINDUISM IS A WAY OF LIFE. And that life lesson is relevant now and embraced by the world: NAMASTE, VEGETARIANISM and CREMATION.

But the most important aspect of Hinduism is our belief that CHANGE IS THE NATURE AND IS INEVITABLE. Hence it has evolved in Hinduism over centuries, and survived even in most difficult times.

When Moghuls invaded and ruled over India for some 700 years and British ruled over us for 300 years, it only made a small dent in our religion. 

On a smaller scale, my forebear Indians were shipped to Fiji as Indentured labourers 140 years ago. Despite Fiji being under Christian British rulers, our religion remained intact even after great efforts at conversion in very difficult times. This is because Hinduism is an evolving and adaptive way of life that holds on to its core values even in trying times. 

The greatest satisfaction FIJI PUNDIT has is that unlike dissenters and critics of other religions, my ass will not be blown to bits. Aamir Khan did not have a fatwa (ruling of death) against him for “insulting” Hinduism in his Bollywood blockbuster “PK”. He also steered clear of being critical of his own religion when he produced TV serial - Satyamev Jayate (truth shall prevail), critical of Hindus and our practices. But that is another story for another day.

Now, to Hinduism and need for a change. Unfortunately, we Fiji Hindus have been so immersed in Tulsidas’s interpreted version of Ramayan (in Hindi) that we missed many good episodes and lessons from the original Valmiki one.

Story of Ramayan in Tele-serial SIYA KE RAM is based on Valmiki Ramayan and reveals some episodes untold in Tulsidas's translated version. Some new things revealed are about Ashvamedh Yagn in Ram's childhood where he becomes a medium of change, Ram's sister Shanta, Ahilya uddhar where Ram touched Ahilya's feet with his fingers, and not using his foot, and story of Surpnakha, among others. This article and thoughts to challenge a system have been inspired by Ram's challenge of his Guru and father on outmoded ritual of Raghu Kul in sacrificing the horse of Ashvamedh Yagn.

Valmiki Ramayan reveal Lord Ram as a medium of change, not like many Hindus, who shield behind the mantra of “parampara” or tradition. Valmiki Ramayan speaks of Ashvamedh Yagn, a horse-sacrifice ritual in Ayodhya when Ram was still young and unmarried. (The only one we know about is in the Lav Kush episode).

When Ram returns from his Guru Kul (school), he (and an unmarried Sita) see this sacrifice as a cruel practice and puts a stop to it. Ram became a medium of change, challenging a cruel and outmoded Raghu Kul Reet - tradition. He was the medium of change that many of his devotees and other Hindus fail to muster courage to follow now. 

We Fiji-Waale Hindus may hardly have heard of this medium of change in character of Ram in the Tulsidas Ramayan. Hence, this Thakur, a devotee of Ram, is calling for change that Ram, oopar wala Thakur (God above) has courage to initiate and implement.

In olden days, over half a century ago in rural rustic and dusty Rarawai, Golflinks, Ba Fiji, we lived in extended families, and had our annual pooja.(Prayers). We had our local priests do the pooja and poor farmers gave whatever meagre savings they could muster, and gave small quantity of food items, dished out, often on a  brass plate. Pundits carried their own bags (jhori) and transferred rice, dhal, potatoes and sugar etc into their bags and returned the plate. They were never given pre-packed size in 500 grams or 1 kilogram packs.

This offering would be for livelihood of the Pundit who survived on this food. (Karamkandi, not dependent on a paid second job). It was NOT a ritual but a necessity for livelihood of Pundits. He would perform such pooja maybe three or four times in a week, and received enough supplies for his livelihood, and Dakchina (money) for other needs.

Fast forward this to modern New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA where Fiji Hindus have migrated in large numbers. So have these pundits, but the culture of giving, in larger plastic basins, or larger pre-packed items, evolved. And these huge basins, which the Pundits take away, are many times the size of those small brass plates, and usually loaded with a lot more than what the priest and his family need to survive on. This is because he may do some 6-10 such Poojas in a day, or some 25 -30 in a week, on a rough conservative estimate. That over a year amounts to about a ton of flour, sharps and rice and truckloads of other things that are offered. These offerings are based on a tradition that started over a century ago in rural Fiji based on necessity of the LIVELIHOOD of the priest, and now seems to have developed in an outdated ritual.

Pooja and prayers at normal times required a Mandir and Pundits between you and your Gods. However, during Covid 19 lock down, our home was our Mandir and there was no middleman between you and your Gods. Should it remain so after the lock down? Is there a need for a middleman between you and your Gods? Do you need a Mandir to pray? You be the judge to answer these questions.

Indeed, it is a ritual, parampara that commenced as a necessity. Now many of such offerings are beyond the need-and hence generally goes to waste. Pundits have to buy bigger and bigger vehicles as they get “loaded’ with what we give in name of culture and parampara. (Someday else I will speak about 17th sanskaar during death-with mattresses and other worldly items given in name of out-dated tradition). I am NOT talking about money here - just FOOD ITEMS and clothes we give.

What do they do with it? How much can they eat and use? What happens to dhoti, towels etc? And do their modern children eat what we give in “seedha? (Offerings)

Do they all have big store-rooms to store tonnes of items they receive on a daily and weekly basis? Do they sell them? Do they distribute to other Mandirs who use them to feed its devotees? Do they distribute them to the needy? Are they doing so now when their “jajmaan” (‘clients’) may be out of jobs and need assistance? Are they eaten by insects, go to waste or get expired and thrown out? Should we continue with such offerings when they may be subjected to such shame and blatant disrespect? What do the scripture of these pundits say about such treatment of our offerings?

If my Lord Ram could challenge his Guru and father King Dashrath about Raghu Kul's outdated rituals and parampara, then why cannot I do the same.

There remain many unanswered questions and concerns.

You may say, what and why FIJI PUNDIT is talking about other Pundits?  

WAIT, WAIT -FIJI PUNDIT WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THIS IN PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE - COMING SOON.........................


[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a journalist, a community worker and a practicing Hindu who believes that change is inevitable. He subscribe to the principle that it is height of absurdity and gullibility to be shackled by outmoded and obsolete practices under the guise of parampara and tradition] 

ANDREW COSTER – NEW COMMISSIONER OF POLICE – NEW HOPE FOR POLICING IN NZ

ANDREW COSTER – NEW COMMISSIONER OF POLICE – NEW HOPE FOR THE “UNDERCLASS” 

[Excerpts and photo from  NZ Herald of 7 April, 2020 from article by Elizabeth Easther, My Story, as told by Andrew to Esther]

I normally do not copy and paste articles for my blog. However, when I read the views of our new Commissioner of Police, I was impressed. He seemed to have empathy for the underclass people who have high statistics in crime.

As most of my readers do not subscribe to NZ Herald, they would miss out on his very brilliant, frank and welcome views. Hence I decided to present extracts in this article.

It gave me hope that a young, family man of higher decile, having such a soft spot for South Auckland is a good and bright ray of hope for policing in New Zealand.

Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster has been with the force since 1997 and is now responsible for close to 14,000 staff nationwide. His police career has seen him serve in front line and investigative roles in Counties Manukau, Auckland and Dunedin. To set an example to staff, his beard came off this weekend. Here is as he spoke to Elizabeth Easther of NZ Herald.

New Commisioner of Police ANDREW COSTER, who has shaved his beard in solidarity with those at the front line of Covid-19. Earlier, he had made a request to frontline police officers to shave-off their facial hair in response health regulation of the virus. [Photo: NZ Herald]

“I didn't know what I wanted to do when I finished school so I went into the workforce rather than tertiary education. I was a sales consultant for Blue Star selling business telephone systems. I was doing very well, but I got to a point where I felt intensely dissatisfied and, within about two and a half months I was at Police College in Porirua. 

I'd never aspired to join the police but at age 20 I felt a strong sense of a calling, a drive to perform a public service, to make a difference.

I had a privileged upbringing and, within a couple of weeks of graduating from Police College, I was stationed at Mangere. Seeing the way some people lived was an incredible eye-opener and, at times, very depressing. I was 21 and my life experiences hadn't shown me that side of life but, in a quick space of time, I saw how desperate the need was in those communities.

I also learned that the police often see the worst parts of people's lives, the times when they're really struggling, and that's why good policing is vital, to ensure that justice is available to all and people can access the help they need to be safe.

I started with the police before I had children. I now have three boys, and I think I'd find it much harder now to deal with some of the scenes I saw as a detective. Because our people do really tough work, it's important that we, as an organisation, support each other and provide safe places for staff to express what they're going through.

The other side to that, it's easy to become quite hard and it can be difficult to have the most appropriate response if you just look at a snapshot of a person's life, victim or offender, and possibly lose sight of the context of where that person is. When people offend, they're not at their best, so as police we need to take a wider view, then work with our partners to offer appropriate interventions……………………………”

“There's a sense of deliberate and purposeful calm around the way we're policing in this Covid situation. More than ever we are dependent on New Zealanders believing the police is going about this the right way, in light of what we're facing. The vast majority needs to buy into the controls being put in place by public health officials for us to be successful. It's a fine balance, but nearly all policing is reliant on community buy-in.

The key message during Level 4 is that we're in this together and we have a window to beat this thing. Our ability to deal with this virus will be due to all of us doing the right thing. Police will do our best to help people do that in a way that enables them to enjoy the maximum realistic freedoms during this time. We don't want to be heavy-handed, but when we need to, we'll deal with people who aren't doing the right thing, that way we can beat this rather than find ourselves dealing with a worse situation if it spreads more widely.

Our bubble is me, my wife and our three boys who are 15, 13 and 10. My family make a big sacrifice to let me go and I'm really blessed they're so supportive and see the importance of my job. Being recognised, I don't know what that will look like. It's not always easy for teenagers to have their dad in a high profile position, but the kids have great characters and I know they'll look out for each other.

With my focus on work and family over the next five years, my hobbies will be secondary. I do enjoy motorcycling and hopefully I'll get my motorcycle to the racetrack now and then. I enjoy sports and I try to go to gym, when I can go, to keep my body and brain active. I've been in busy jobs for a long time, so it's not a new thing yet, with each one, there's a new layer of expectation, but I am very privileged to serve in this role.”

[New NZ Police Commissioner, Andrew Coster’s story as told to NZ Herald’s Elizabeth Easther]

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]