INDIA FIJI TODAY

Published & Edited by Arun Maharaj Hayward CA USA Indiafijitoday @gmail.com 510 : 875 0568

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A Magazine About Fiji & India Lifestyles Published in USA by Arun Maharaj

APRIL—2012

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APPRECIATION TO THE WELWISHERS

Disclaimer—Fiji Today/Fiji Feature

Fiji Today/Fiji Feature is the editor’s review on the major happenings back in Fiji based on the information from , Fiji Times; Fiji Live, Fiji Sun; visitors to and from Fiji and other Fiji publications. These are editor’s own views based on the information from those sources. The ‘perspectives’ are the

editor’s/writers’ views and opinion and any error/s and or misinterpretation are regretted and the editor / publisher is not responsible for any such error/s and or further discussions .The Publisher/Editor of India Fiji Today will not accept any LIABILITY, CRITICISM, ANNOYANCE

or ADVERSE REACTION what so ever, to the contrary of its intention caused by any misinterpretation, miss-understanding or non-acceptance of the same.

Advertisements The claims made by the advertisers is entirely their own and the editor / publisher does not necessarily support or endorse

these claims.

‘India Fiji Today’ is highly grateful to the following people who have compli-mented the magazine—Principal Kafele—Internationally-renowned motivation-al speaker and best-selling author - former principal of New Jersey; Mahendra Chaudhary—Former Prime Minister of Fiji; Savenaca Kaunicela—Former Fiji

High Commissioner to India; Kristeen Prakash—Sacramento California—- For-mer Miss Fiji—USA; Dhani Lal—Sydney Australia—Former principal Rishikul

College-Fiji—Teacher in Sydney Australia; Indar Nair—Sydney AustraliaFormer principal Saraswati College-Fiji—Teacher in Sydney Australia; Rajendra Nair—Sacramento California—Former Vice principal Rishikul College-Fiji-Teacher in Manteca California; Jai P. Narayan—Union City California—Former General

Manager Administration – Fiji Sugar Corporation; Narendra Narayan—Fremont California—Business Executive—Prominent Community Leader of Fiji Commu-nity in USA; Suresh Shandil—Haridwar India, Mahesh Bharadwaj—Delhi In-

dia; Ms. Shonie Mojado—Hayward California—Librarian Tennyson High School-Hayward California.

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AIR PACIFIC’S HELP NEEDED— CALLS CHANDRA BHAN PANDE

A former Fiji resident and pioneer Fiji emigrant to America Chandra Bhan Pan-de of San Bruno Cali-fornia is ap-palled by the recent disas-trous flood in western Fiji. A senior member of the Fiji com-munity here in America, h is ca l l comes in the aftermath of the recent m a s s i v e flooding in Fiji. Mr. Pan-de seems to have made request to Air Pacific to allow Fiji bound passengers from Los Angeles to carry an extra piece of luggage free if they wish to for Fiji’s flood victims. The luggage should contain pre-packed and canned food items and clothing which is in ur-gent need to the many victims of the flood which is believed to have damaged many houses and claimed some lives. In an interview with ‘India Fiji Today’ Mr. Pande said this would be the quickest way to send supplies to the needy victims of the massive flooding in Fiji.

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FIJI FEATURE Volume 1, Issue 1

India Fiji Today

Publisher & Editor

Arun Maharaj Hayward, California

510 : 875 0568 [email protected]

Sacramento Correspondent

Kristeen Prakash

Contributing Writer Jai P. Narayan

Correspondents

Mahesh Bharadwaj Delhi, India

Indar Nair

Sydney, Australia

Subhash Chandra Auckland, New Zealand

Indar Mudaliar

Toronto, Canada

Massive Flooding for Fiji’s Western Residents

As Fiji was trying to recover from a flood that caused massive damage another mighty flood, not seen in recent times, bombarded the country. Nature can be very cruel and life can become miserable and devastating at times. Life in Fiji, which once was regarded ‘as the paradise on earth’ and it still probably is regarded the same by some people can be highly devas-tating at times for some citizens. The coun-try has suffered record number of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods. The recent flooding in the western division has been highly damaging. Some lives were lost and crops were destroyed in huge amounts. The government provided evacu-ation centers and the people in Fiji and abroad are doing their utmost in making the victims’ lives manageable. Charity is still alive in Fiji by the gesture of generous individuals. There was a time when there were many social and charitable organiza-tions in Fiji who had special funds and the manpower to assist when natural disasters struck.

FIJI FEATURE

editorial

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ARUN MAHARAJ—HAYWARD—CA USA Publisher/Editor—India Fiji Today

India Fiji Today Publisher Arun Maharaj has a long association with compiling and editing magazines. He has compiled numerous issues of annual school magazines for the secondary schools he taught in Fiji. He has also published many magazines

for Fiji Jaycees. Apart from his interest in writing articles he has served the public life in Fiji and here in USA as follows— Past co-chairman of the California Business Ad-

visory Council—California Jaycees Senator—Jaycees International Senator—Recipient of the American National Leadership Award— Invited to the US Presiden-tial Dinner in Washington DC.—Former member of USA Fiji Festival advisory committee—Fiji delegate to Japan Jaycees Youth Voyage in Japan—Represented Fiji in Jaycees World Congress in Japan—

Former secretary of Fiji Teachers Union Credit Union—Taught at Vunimono High School in Nausori Fi-ji—DAV College in Suva Fiji—Rishikul High School in Nasinu Fiji.

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FIJI TODAY ART GALLERY AT A NADI HOTEL SOON

Pande Ji Village which houses the Hotel San Bruno in Nadi town is almost ready to set up an art gallery in its complex. The new structure which contains room for seven shops at the bottom floor and hotel rooms at the top complex. One of the rooms at the bottom floor will house the art gallery which will bear pictures of past and present political leaders and prominent people. Brief biog-raphy of all will be attached with the photographs. The art gallery known as Ra-tu Sukuna– Pande Ji Art Gallery will be beneficial to the guests of Hotel San Bruno and will be open to the public as well. Adjacent to the art gallery will be a mini theatre which will screen documentary and religious programs. The project is the mastermind of a pioneer Fiji Emigrant to USA Chandra Bhan Pande of San Bruno—California USA. Mr. Pande along with a few friends from his home area Samabula, Suva left for America in 1953 and became one of the first Fiji-ans to settle in America. Having real estate as his main area of operation he ventured into hotel business almost a decade ago. Along with the setting up of Hotel San Bruno in Nadi he bought a multi room hotel in Stockton California. An entrepreneur Mr. Pande in his elderly age still has im-mense vision and the same vigor and enthusiasm as he probably had during his youth.

Highlight

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Karmic Law of Birth and Rebirth

DISCLAIMER—PERSPECTIVES . These articles are the views and opinion of the writers. The writers and the publisher/editor will not ac-

cept any; LIABILITY, CRITICISM, ANNOYANCE or ADVERSE REACTION what so ever, to the contrary of its inten-tion caused by any misinterpretation, miss-understanding or non-acceptance of the same.

13

A P E R S P E C T I V E

Do Divorce and Separation Affect

Karmic Debt?

Two people come together because of their past karma and the karmic debt owing to each other. Once the ob-ligations are fulfilled and the debts are mutually can-celed, they will be separated by the natural occurrence of death. Death is the natural act. Divorce and separation are unnatural acts. They are man-made and not God made. If two people decide to separate, they will be do-ing so while the karmic debt between them still ex-ists. This debt will have to be repaid as it is the Law of Karma. So, it will be carried over to the next birth, when the two people will have to work off the mutual debt and cancel it completely.

Pt. Rajendra Maharaj

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A P E R S P E C T I V E

By JAI P. NARAYAN—Union City‐California

Jai P. Narayan

Life Returns What We Invest in it!

Most of us would readily believe that we are part and parcel of one creation. The Creator is one and we’re all manifestations of that one Creator. In-deed, each one of us and each item of creation are tied to that one Supreme Being, as if through an umbilical chord. Each item of creation is governed by the same energy and possesses the same potentials. No individual is supreme to anyone else since the central core is the same in all. With the excep-tion of some who have major limitations, most other people have all the necessary abilities to achieve success in life. Why then do we see marked differences in the achievements of people generally, and even within the same family? A look at differences in achievements of different members of the same family can be quite revealing. In fact, it is not uncommon to find within the same family some major differences in the overall progress, development and success of different individuals. Here, I am not limiting the measure of success to how well-off we are in material terms but generally to success in any of life’s noble endeavors. How can we explain such differences when each member of the family came from the same genetic tree and was exposed to more or less the same environment? Is it luck or fate? Yes, luck or fate may play a part, but the differences may also be due to how each applied himself/herself and utilized the opportunities presented. We all have at our disposal the means to pros-per in this world. But we have to play our part and realize that what we get out of life depends on what we put into it. As we know, positive attitude, absolute determination and persistent ef-fort are the essentials for achieving success. Needless to say, we should never be overawed by the success or status of anyone. As we are from the same creation, we are no less or more than anyone else, and we must guard against any tendency to think that others are superior. We stand to harm ourselves if we have the habit of running ourselves down or engage in self-defeating thoughts. Likewise, we should never place ourselves on the pedestal and think that others are inferior to us. Looking down on oth-ers or laughing at the misfortune of others reflects immaturity and lack of understanding of hu-man nature and its potentials. Life is an even playing field and how we play the life- game depends on us!

Jai P. Narayan

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A P E R S P E C T I V E

By ARUN MAHAARJ—Hayward‐California

Arun Maharaj

Purity and Innocence of Children...

In this world dominated by stress, jealousy, agony and unhappiness, the notion of purity and innocence of children can guide us through and make us come out of the quag-mire of life. The children’s innocence towards life projects a highly noble message that can have tremendous positive effect on people’s lives. The children are taught to live, first by their parents and later the teachers teach them in schools but in return what the children teach the world is something worth pondering about. It is believed the element of inno-cence and purity is dominant in children up to the beginning of their teens and from there onwards the other qualities start dominating and the innocence quality starts to fade away but may not be completely lost. In this world divided along race, culture, sect and clan and even other divisions the con-cept of innocence of children can provide great relief to the suffering beings. They are ignorant of the quality of selfishness, jealousy, hatred etc and everything and everyone is alike to them, this is pure innocence. The peace they enjoy is probably the sweetest part of human life. The innocence quality does not die out in adults but is somewhat subdued and can be brought back to live again, changing their lives for good. It is accepted that as adults we have certain responsibilities to fulfill in order to live a successful life. These requirements or obligations of earning money, having other wants that have turned into needs today, will lead us to a successful practical life and happiness, which can many times be temporary.

Only meeting these demands of life may allow us to live a life devoid of peace and it is peace that we are all longing for in

life, many times even not knowingly.

Arun Maharaj

19

INDIAN FILM WORLD

2012 APRIL

FIRST FILMFARE AWARD HELD IN MUMBAI IN 1954It was the year 1954, fifty –eight years ago when

the first Filmfare Award was held in Mumbai, India. Filmfare is a highly prestigious film magazine which has been in circu-lation for over five decades. It is a magazine Indian film—fans crave to read. Anything being first is always looked up-on with great anticipation and the award was no exception. Having only five categories the Best Actor Award was taken by Dilip Kumar for his role in Daag while Meena Kumari walked away with the Best Actress Award for film Baiju Bawra. Both the films have been evergreen. Today the award has many categories and is still the most prestigious and oldest Indian Film Awards. Though there are other film awards today people still look forward to the Filmfare Awards. The 2012 Filmfare Award was held just recently and Runbir Kapoor and Vidya Balan walked away with the Best actor and Best Actress awards respectively. Aruna Irani was hon-ored with the Lifetime Achievement award. Source—http://

www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/filmfare-awards-2012-winners/ http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/filmfare-awards-1954-156.html

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Fiji Today

LAND LOTS TO BE DONATED-

FOR HOSPITAL USE IN NADI A generous donor seems to be calling on individuals and chari-

table organizations to accept the offer of four land lots in Nadi.

The offer is made with a condition that the land be used for the

erection of a hospital. The donor Chandra Bhan Pande of San

Bruno California who also owns a hotel in Nadi is calling on of-

fers from people and organizations anywhere in the world who

would be interested to set up the facility. For details Mr. Pande

can be reached at 650—438 6379 or [email protected].

A generous offer should eventually find genuine acceptance

and a hospital facility could be set up there.

HOME FREEZER STORAGE

FOR A BA DEAD BODY… There are situations where people have to improvise but a situ-

ation where a dead body is to be kept in a home freezer is a

highly rare case. It is believed an elderly Ba man who died at

the height of the recent flooding in the western division had to

be kept in home freezer as the family went in search of proper

storage facility in the near by hospital. The difficulty in trans-

porting the body out of home must have left the family with no

option but to store the body at their home freezer.

APRIL- 2012

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Fiji Today

THE IMPACT OF BREAKING OF

THE SUVA - NADI ROAD LINK Road link of Suva and Nadi is an important one for Fiji. Suva

being the capital and Nadi having the international airport the

highway is very popular for many hundreds of daily travelers.

The breaking of a bridge near Nadi due to the recent flooding

has obviously caused havoc to the motorists. The Nadi airport

which is believed to have been shut down at the height of the

flooding must have been left in isolation as road communication

from Suva and the central division was put to halt. It must be

the road authorities priority to repair the bridge to allow traffic

flow between the two points.

RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE

IN EVACUATION CENTERS... The recent flooding in Fiji is believed to have sent thousands of

people in the western division out of their homes into many

evacuation centers around the west. The flooding seems to be

the greatest in the recent times made many homeless. The

government and voluntary organizations in Fiji seem to be do-

ing their utmost in providing service to the temporary homeless

people. Many schools seem to be used as the ‘centers’ and

they would be obviously closed for classes resulting in disrup-

tion of classes.

APRIL- 2012

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Fiji Today

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF

LOSSES IN AGRICULTURE Fiji’s central division which also contributes to the country’s ag-

riculture in terms of crops and livestock seems to have suffered

significantly during the recent flooding. The loss seems to be in

Tailevu, Naitasiri and Rewa areas which are basically agricul-

tural areas. Suva and Nausori markets obviously would be

greatly impacted by the loss. The shortage could give way to

high price for the limited farm products available for consump-

tion.

FORMER FIJI CITIZEN’S

LIFE SENTENCING IN NZ

Convicted of killing of his wife is believed to have landed a for-

mer Fiji man in life imprisonment in Auckland New Zealand. Re-

portedly the man is said to have burned his wife to death. After

the incident he is believed to have fled to Fiji with his child. He

later returned to New Zealand where he is believed to have

been given a life sentence. There have been other cases of for-

mer Fiji man committing such crimes abroad.

APRIL- 2012

30

Fiji Today

FIJI PARLIAMENT HOUSE

31

Fiji Today

POWER CUTS IN MOST

PARTS OF VITILEVU

Electricity power cuts seems to be experienced by most of Fiji’s

mainland Vitilevu including the central division. Due to the

flooding it seems disruption to the power supply system has

been caused. Along with flooding power cuts will further disrupt

the people’s lives.Frozen goods in stores will be impacted the

most along with individual homes. Electricity usage is an essen-

tial thing in particularly the central division. It is not known as to

how long the power cuts will be experienced.

PICKING OF FOOD FROM

WEST RUBBISH DUMP

Frozen food items which were considered unsafe for consump-

tion after the recent flooding and power cuts seems to be great

demand by some people. It is believed the food items are picked

from the dump and sold to people with low income. The health

authorities seem to be concerned at the use of the food items

which are considered as unsafe to eat. Capitalizing on people

with low income vendors are selling them discarded food.

APRIL- 2012

32

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