JADURAM: THE FALL GUY OF A DEFECTIVE AUCKLAND COUNCIL

 JADURAM: THE FALL GUY OF A DEFECTIVE AUCKLAND COUNCIL

Thakur Ranjit Singh

As a senior alumni of the former National Minister, Steven Joyce at Massey University, and an MBA postgraduate student at Palmerston North campus in 1982, I consider myself more than qualified to comment on the governance issue of Auckland Council, dubious events at Watercare and questions on fiduciary duties of its Board.

As somebody who sat in boards of a Bank, Suva City Council and a Media organisation in Fiji, among others. I consider myself more than qualified to comment on this issue. With my past trade, commerce, industry and real-life experience, I was saddened to see fellow Fijian, CEO of Watercare, Raveen Jaduram being made a fall guy of a dysfunctional organisation, a questionable Board and poor leadership from Auckland Council.

RAVEEN JADURAM - CEO of Watercare, who was forced to resign because of problems at the organisation which can equally be attributed to Auckland Council and Watercare Board, which were sleeping on the job. He was made the fall guy of inefficiencies wide across Auckland Council (NZ Herald Photo)

From the thick smoke emitting from Watercare crisis, the only light seems to be coming from a brave and conscientious councillor who seem to have conscience and guts (read balls) to say that the emperor has no clothes on.

Councillor Daniel Newman, who had worked at the Watercare praised its CEO Jaduram for a grand job he had done in the past. While the fall guy was primarily targeted for his huge salary, however the Mayor, Council CEO and the Board of Watercare are equally to blame for planning failures. Ultimately, CEO of Watercare is not accountable - the ball stops at the Mayor and the Chair of the Board.

As a migrant from a Third World Fiji who attended university in NZ in 1980s, I was perturbed at the lack of any academic teachings of my time in the current management of Auckland Council. Have good management theories of yesteryears gone obsolete now? Are overpaid and highly qualified officials and board members at Auckland Council and Watercare so blatantly clueless, incompetent and ignorant about good management practices in strategic management, forward planning and good perceptive governance?

PHIL GOFF, Mayor, and STEPHEN TOWN, former CEO of Auckland Council. They both cannot wash their hands off the problems at Watercare, a Council Controlled Organisation, (CCO). They failed to monitor it and also failed to monitor a Watercare Board that had been sleeping on the job. They are equally accountable for problems at Watercare. (NZ Herald Photo)

Boards in Fiji required visionary short-term (current year) mid–term (5 years) and long-term (10 years) plans with proper brainstorming and assessment of exhaustive environmental factors. Among others, this included SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) for strategic planning. The fact that the big brains in Auckland’s main city failed these basics in management shames their universities and business schools for having alumni with questionable qualifications and aptitude for the respective positions. This applies to the Mayor, the Chairwoman and board members of Watercare and former CEO of Auckland Council who all revealed very wanting management and leadership skills and aptitude in letting down Watercare. 

What is further disgraceful and appalling is the manner in which poor Kiwi Fiji Indian was thrown in front of a bus by the people who all deserved to go under the same bus themselves.  The career and professional Chairwoman, Margaret Devlin and her Board owed a fiduciary duty of care to safeguard interests of Auckland ratepayers.

Together with the mayor and (former) CEO of Auckland Council, they all failed us. Were they sleeping on the job while Auckland drowned in a drought?  I suggest the Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Directors or the relevant organisation to audit the action, or lack of it, of the Board of Watercare, and its dereliction of its fiduciary duties. And business schools in Universities need to use this debacle at Watercare as a case study on how not to run such a crucial organisation.

In fact Councillor Newman very aptly described the Watercare Board: 

"The board has been as active as an Easter Island statue. There has been a complete absence of energy and it's been left to the governing body of council to work with senior management within Watercare to fill the gap"

Did the Board and Auckland Council ask and seek the right and prudent questions and answers? Newman has also questioned the suitability of this Hamilton-based professional board chair who he claims had no interest in Auckland and sits on many other boards outside Auckland.

NZ Herald of Wednesday 19 August, 2020 reported that Chairwoman of Watercare, Margaret Devlin is paid $108,000 when the median of similar Chair of director’s fee is $60,000. It also reported that this professional board chair is also involved with some other ten or so organisations:

"As well as chairing Watercare, Devlin is a director of Waikato Regional Airport, MetService, IT Partners Group, Aurora Energy, independent chairwoman of Waikato District Council's audit and risk committee, chairwoman of Women in Infrastructure Network advisory board, councillor at Waikato University, deputy chairwoman of Wintec, chairwoman of Lyttelton Port Company, director of Infrastructure NZ and chairwoman of Hospice Waikato. Last month, the Tasman District Council appointed her to the board of Waimea Water."

MARGARET DEVLIN, Chairwoman of Watercare is paid $108,000 fee by Auckland Council when a comparable median fee is $60,000. She, as a professional Director, sits on some 11 other boards, most of them out of Auckland.  She owed fiduciary duties to Auckland ratepayers, and she and the Board need to be sacked, as they cannot be relied upon to serve the new CEO of Watercare, as they already failed us ratepayers miserably.(NZ Herald Photo)

Perhaps ratepayers of Auckland City need to ask the mayor how could a person involved with so many organisations with so many diverse interests be depended on to look after such a major City portfolio? And how could she do justice to this highly paid directorship with so many roles away from Auckland?

Aucklanders would be justified to seek immediate removal of the whole Watercare Board which could not now be trusted to provide prudent direction to the incoming CEO. They already failed us miserably.

In other civilised City Councils, the poor-performing Chairperson and the Board, with the CEO and the Mayor of Council would have lost their jobs.

Unfortunately, in a wanting culture at Auckland Council, a lesser CEO is made the fall guy of an organisation where the overseers were all sleeping on the job while the dams ran dry.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a journalist and community worker. He runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. E-mail:thakurjifj@gmail.com]

JANAM ASTMI SPECIAL 3 – SOME FATHER-SON RELATIONS DURING TIMES OF KRISHN

JANAM ASTMI SPECIAL 3 – SOME FATHER-SON RELATIONS DURING TIMES OF KRISHN 

                                   Thakur Ranjit Singh

As Janam Astmi and Father’s Day tend to fall almost around same time in Southern hemisphere, a comparison of some father-son relations of Dwapar Yug (during times of Krishn) would be relevant, as they are very rarely told. These are summaries of some father-son relations, which are not exhaustive-there are others.

Hope our Parcharaks/ Pundits could add on to them and make their parvachan a bit more interesting which relate to, and be relevant to our present day, rather than in abstract (out of touch, intellectual) stories. 

1) KRISHN- VASUDEV/NAND: we always talk about two mothers of Krishn, but fail to mention His TWO FATHERS. Vasudev who faced all sorts of troubles and dangers to take his son away from life-threatening situation (in Mathura) to safety and care of Nand (in Gokul) who looked after that son who was not his, like his own. This story balances off all the negative tales of "sautelapan (of adopted children). 

A very exemplary relationship where the son shone as a pride for both pairs of His parents. 

2) ARJUN -ABHIMANYU: Abhimanyu was a son who raised the profile of his warrior father by sacrificing his life, knowing that he would not be able to complete the "Chakravyuh" - he could only enter it but could not come out of it alive. 

This episode also substantiates the medical science that children are affected by their environment when in the mother's womb. Abhimanyu was still in his mother's womb when he first heard his uncle Krishn telling Subhadra (Krishn’s sister) about the secret of the almost impenetrable military formation known as the Chakravyuh. But then Subhadra fell asleep while listening to Krishn's story, and so the unborn child was able to hear only part of the secret. Hence he could not break out of it alive, and hence sacrificed his life for honour of his father and clan. 

Any father would be proud of a son like Abhimanyu. 

3) DHRITRASTRA- DURYODHAN: This was the most unholy relation between a father and a son. It is a lesson to all fathers that they should not spoil their sons and submit to all their demands in selfishness for glory of their sons, and accept their unrighteous (sinful, wrong) acts silently. That resulted in complete annihilation (destruction) of Kauravs and vansh (lineage) of the blind father, who was literally as well as spiritually blind. 

While this aptly applies to a father-son relation in Fiji politics, I will refrain to name them. At times the downfall of a father is the "ucchi - kanchaaye" or selfish greed for success of the son, who, like Duryodhan, turns out to be an evil devil. A father who blindly overlooks the bad deeds of his son would end up like complete destruction of Kaurav lineage. Love for a son should never blind the father of the choice between the right and the wrong. Dritrastra was such a blind father, in all respects of blindness.

Pray you do not have a son like Duryodhan (or even a ‘blind’ father.) 

4) BHIM-GHATOTKATCH - Very rarely mentioned in our parvachan, but a son of Bhism, born through an ogre (rachasi) woman from lineage of Hidimba. This son was the salvation of Pandavas in Mahabharat and was instrumental in victory of Pandavs. Karan was forced to use the deadly and sure-shot weapon reserved for death of Arjun on Ghatotkach. Even born in a rachas kul or of low-maternal association, we pray that we have a son like him who stand for his father and his lineage and heritage.

Ghatotkach was an exemplary son. 

5) UGRASEN-KANS: The less said, the better. Ugrasen was Nana (maternal grandfather) of Krishn, and was imprisoned by his own son, Kans.

But we still have present-day sons like Kans who usurps the property of their parents and disown and discard them. Pray nobody has a son like him who was also very unkind and brutal to his sister Devaki and brother – in-law (Bahnoi) Vasudev. 

Contrary to belief of some that Kans was equivalent to Ravan of Treta Yuga, this was not so. Equivalent of Ravan and Kumbhkaran in Dwapar Yug were Shishupal and Dantavakr, who both were killed by Krishn. 

Pray none of you get a son, brother or Mama like Kans. 

6) SANTANU-BHISHAM PITAMAH: Thankful are fathers who have a son like Bhisham, who sacrifices his 'Jawani" and whole life, and vows not to marry for the happiness of his father. How many sons we have now, who will agree to their father remarrying, for the happiness of his father, after death of their mother? I have seen sons who object to happiness of their widower fathers having a companion after death of their mother. Great are those who can be as understanding and act like Bhisham for happiness of their fathers. 

Pray that we have sons like Bhisham Pitamah. 

7) GURU DRON - ASHWATHAMA: While considered an avatar of Lord Shiv and being son of such a sage, the fact that Ashwathama sided with unrighteous (sinful) Kauravas, he lost all praises, especially when he vents on killing the Pandavs. Hence, it teaches us "sangat seh gunn aaye, sangatt se gunn jaaye (the company of a child determines his character). Even born of good and righteous parents, a child in wrong company will be like this son of Guru Dron. 

Hence all fathers need to be wary of this. To remain a pride to them, parents need to ensure their sons are in the right company. 

I hope these synopsis and thoughts on father-son relationships will generate interest to delve deeper into these subjects. After a happy and fruitful Janam Astmi, FIJI PUNDIT wishes you all a very Happy Father’s Day coming shortly in the Southern Hemisphere. (First Sunday in September) 

[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. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

GOVERDHAN DHARI KRISHN: THE STORY BEHIND COW WORSHIP AFTER DIWALI DAY

HOW GOVERDHAN - DHARI KRISHN KILLS EGO AND GIVES RESPECT TO NATURE

                                          Thakur Ranjit Singh

We grew up learning about how a child Krishn lifted up Goverdhan hill to save his people from the wrath, anger of rain god Indr.

The people of the forest of Vrindavan had a custom of offering elaborate meals to Lord Indr, the Rain (and storm) God. They did so to please him enough to be blessed with timely rainfall and good harvests.

Goverdhan -Dhari Krishn - when Indr showed his anger at people who rejected him to pray to Goverdhan, Krishn used the hill as a shelter to protect his devotees.

One year, a young Krishn questioned this by saying that was a burden on poor people. As food for people and grass for cows were given by Goverdhan hill, so why should they pray to Indr. And hence the villagers, on advice and logic of Krishn, offered food and offerings to Goverdhan Parvat (hill) instead of Indr, as they had done as a past custom.

This angered Indr and he sent down torrential rain and thunderstorms to the region of Vrindavan. The storm went on for days and the village soon started drowning in the ensuing floods. It is then that the people begged for Krishn’s help, who advised them to move towards the Goverdhan hill. Once there, he lifted the whole hill with his little finger, urging everyone to come under the hill to take shelter from the storm, and thus saving them from the wrath of Indr.

This incident is seen to represent how God will protect all devotees who take singular refuge in him. Bhagwan ke sharan mein jaao, Rakscha karenge.

Hinduism and Lord Krishn always loved nature - its landscape, rivers and creatures. And Cow is something he is very fond of and this love for cows today is the cheapest source of protein to mankind-with its milk, and bullocks to plough the field. And hence Krishn is called GOPAL, a protector of cows.

It also shows our love for nature, the hills, the mountains, the greeneries that sustain life. 

But most importantly, it depicts defeat of EGO, ghamand, self-importance, pride, conceit and snobbery over love, logic, compassion and humbleness of a child Lord. 

Indr accepted defeat and even pleaded safety of his son, Arjun, and Krishn was true to his vow to always protect Arjun, who was deemed to be Indr’s son, and Krishn’s Bahnoi, married to Krishn’s sister, Subhadra.

The other important aspect of Goverdhan Parvat is its link to Ramayan in Treta Yug. According to another folklore, this mountain was in fact first lifted by Hanuman. 

When Devtas abused their position and powers, like powerful and rich humans, it needs the action of the Almighty to shatter their pride-and EGO. The Goverdhan Parvat episode reveals this.

The incident dates back to the days of Ramayan. When Ram had to cross the sea to reach Lanka, a bridge had to be built. The bridge which later came to be known as Ram Setu needed a great deal of stones to be built.

Hearing this, Hanuman who was bestowed with special powers, flew to the Himalayas and plucked out a huge hill. However, on his journey back, he learnt that the bridge had already been constructed.

So, he left the hill, the Parvat in Vrindavan. Hearing this, the mountain was deeply saddened thinking that he will be of no use to Lord Ram. Sensing his condition, Hanuman told the hill (which was Goverdhan Parvat) that in the Dwapar Yuga, when Ram would incarnate as Krishn, the mountain will be lifted by Krishn, and would serve God by sheltering Krishn’s loved ones.

Goverdhan hill was initially carried by Hanuman for building the bridge (Setu) during Treta Yug, but it was abandoned in Vrindavan when it was not needed. Upon boon and advice of Hanuman that Lord Krishn would use it in Dwapar, the hill awaited arrival of Gopal.

So, after Hanuman had first lifted the hill, and left it in Vrindavan, Lord Krishn lifted it again and today it is a revered place that it is worshiped by hundreds of people every day. 

And this day is especially marked as Goverdhan Pooja after Diwali Day every year. Such small tales from Krishna Lila give us immense knowledge and lessons to be better human beings.

LESSONS FROM GOVERDHAN POOJA

1) Be the medium of change to remove outdated or thoughtless practises we regard as tradition, parampara. Ram did that to stop the tradition of killing Ashvamedha horse in Ajodhya (before marriage). Krishna stopped this outdated and meaningless ritual. Hindus need to embrace change, as lessons from our scriptures promote.

2) Stop abusing your positions, either as a politician or as a normal person. Indr did that by abusing his rainmaking powers to flood Gokul for his personal revenge. He was taught a lesson that there are others more powerful than the abuser.

3) Don’t take bribes for doing what you are supposed to do. Indr is to provide rainfall, as God of Rain, and should not take bribe of Pooja from people to do what he should do as a duty. Like Indr, one should not mistake obligation for a right to demand bribe from people to undertake your normal obligations.

4) Control your ego,(ahankaar) or self-importance, have compassion (kindness), and perform your tasks loyally, without abuse of position or power. Krishn shattered Indr’s ego - self-importance.

5) God will protect all devotees who take singular refuge in Him. Bhagwan ke sharan mein jaao, Rakscha karenge.

6) Love and respect nature, the hills, the mountains, the rivers, the forests, and the greeneries that sustain life. Please do not pollute rivers and waterways.

Wish you a Happy Goverdhan Pooja, and hope you will be wiser with lessons and teachings from this episode of Lord Krishn.

[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. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

JANAM ASTMI SPECIAL 1- RANCHOR: WHEN RETREAT IS THE BEST DEFENSE

 JANAM ASTMI SPECIAL 1

RANCHOR: WHEN RETREAT IS THE BEST DEFENSE

Thakur Ranjit Singh

When growing up as “Ranjit” (winner in battle) in Fiji, I was somewhat surprised, and in fact amused to see that sections of Gujarati community had name quite the opposite of mine –“Ranchor” (runner from battle)

It was till very late in life that I knew that Ranchor was in fact one of the names of Lord Krishn.

Many may feel awkward to call Krishn as Ranchor. While people in Punjab and North India name their children “Ranjit”, Gujarati community tend to name their sons as “Ranchor” because of their closeness to Krishn, as this is one of his names.

But yes, Krishn does not mind this name – I will tell about two incidents that gave Krishn this name and that you rarely get explained in detail by your Parcharaks. 

Lord Krishn gave us many lessons from Mahabharat, and He taught us to be smart to win many battles in life.

The first is when Krishn leaves Mathura to escape attacks from Jarasandh who was father-in-law, Sasur of Kansa who Krishn killed. Krishn believes that at times it is best defence to retreat, avoid a confrontation which can be very destructive to the community and common people -aam aadmi.

Hence, he moves from Mathura to Dwarika, an under-sea city. So when Jarasandh came with his army to attack Mathura, he found it empty, and gave Krishn the name Ranchor.

There is another version of this tag “Ranchor”. After death of Kansa, Jarasandh forged friendship with Kalyavan, who was very powerful, and undefeated. He came with an army of 3 million, which far outnumbered Krishna’s army.

Kalyavan challenged Krishna to a duel, and Krishn lures him to a cave where he knew Muchukund (from Treta Yuga, and forebear of Lord Ram) was in a very deep sleep after battle with Assurs (demons)

Sage Muchukund's sleep was disturbed by Kalyavan, who was led into the cave by Krishn. The enemy of Krishn, Kalyavan burns to death without a fight. 

Muchukund, after long battles wanted undisturbed, very deep sleep. Hence, Indr gave him a vardaan (boon) that anybody who disturbs his sleep would be burnt to ashes once he sees him.

Krishn leads Kalyavan into the cave, and seeing Muchukund deep asleep, he puts his shawl – the yellow cloth (pitambar) on the sleeping sage and hid behind a boulder.

Kalyavan mistakenly assumes that Krishna is lying there because the sage had Krishn’s cloth on him. Hence, he kicks him and swears at Krishn for running away. That disturbs the sleep, the sage wakes up, and the light and fire from his eyes burn Kalyavan to ashes.

This article informs the readers as to why Lord Krishn was called RANCHOR -somebody who runs away from a fight. But it also gives a lesson to us that at times, retreat is the best defense.

The lesson we learn from these ‘Ranchor” episodes is that we should be humble , smart, expedient and level-headed to know when to choose your battles and when to walk or run away from a situation which is far better than unnecessary conflicts, family disputes and confrontation.

And what is in a name – coward, darpok or Ranchor. Krishn teaches you to be smart, he is Ranchor, so what? We still worship him for his wisdom.

We learn to be brave and smart in being called a coward. At times, retreat is the best defence - be smart like Krishn - withdraw from fights and battles you need not be bothered with. Let others, situations or environments deal with them.

Have a blessed and enlightened Krishn Janam Astmi.

[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. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

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]