Let’s learn from profound example of two friends

Friends Krishneel Naicker and Niko Turagakula, who died after a car accident at Navutu in Nadroga, probably never fully realised the impact of their friendship on their loved ones and others.

Now that they are gone, the Saweni community in Lautoka, where they were from, is deeply feeling their tragic loss.

They have had a profound influence on many lives because they have raised the benchmark to the ideal standard in race relations.

Mr Naicker and Mr Turagakula had knocked down the walls of prejudices, biases and even discrimination.

They saw themselves as equals not from racially tinted glasses. When they broke down this barrier, they were able to live their lives freely.

Mr Naicker, a carpenter and Mr Turagakula, a driver, worked at different places and lived in culturally different homes but they never saw it as an impediment to their friendship.

When the racial veneer is peeled away friendship endures forever.

They have set an example for all of us, not just to the Saweni community.

If we can live the same standards then we can also accept that:

We are all equal before the law and God irrespective of ethnicity, culture, religion or gender

We need to respect each other despite our differences

Our diversity is not a problem. It is our strength because it enriches our lives

We should not look at issues from a racial perspective; and

Appointments to positions should be based on merit not on ethnicity.

If we all live the same principles then the future of race relations in this country is bright and secure. It is not enough to just say it from our lips; we need to live it.

Those who were here in 1987 and 2000 would understand how race relations is so important for our country.

If we embrace the profound example of the two friends, there would be no repeat of the terrible events that sent the country into political turmoil in 1987 and 2000.