Bala: Our Identity as Fijians Binds Us in Common History
Celebrations also marked the bond of national identity that every Fijian shares.
We cannot continue to live in separate worlds when we are bound together in our common history and identity as Fijians.
During the Fiji Day celebrations yesterday at the Natabua, Lautoka, Golden Age Home, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala, added we must move away from the us and them mentality.
“This is not the world of the ordinary Fijians, but that of the selfish individuals and groups greedy for power,” he said.
“As Fijians we fly the same flag and sing the same anthem on Fiji Day and that is the spirit of togetherness that should be carried.” Mr Bala said Fiji Day also marked the bond of national identity that every Fijian shared and celebrated.
“We are feeling the energy, love and a sense of pride because we all belong and we are made sure of our sense of belonging under the principles of equal citizenship and inclusiveness enshrined in the 2013 Constitution,” he said. “Peace and prosperity secured by the people of Fiji through the visionary leadership our Prime Minister and his dedicated FijiFirst Government. Peace and prosperity secured by Fijians for all Fijians in the spirit of national pride, unity and patriotism.”
He said Fiji’s achievements were in line with this year’s Fiji Day theme ‘A progressive and sustainable Fiji for all’.
“We have witnessed remarkable achievements since our last Fiji Day celebration, a record of 10 years of consecutive economic growth has brought unprecedented prosperity to our people, lowered unemployment and opened new opportunities for our young people,” he said.
“Our digital government transformation has put government services at the fingertips of Fijians in every corner of the country, streamlining how we can serve you and give you the tools and resources you need to thrive.”
Mr Bala said more projects were in the pipeline to benefit every Fijian. “Infrastructure is more spread out than ever, four-lane roads and new bridges, streetlights lining the Kings Road , schools built back to a heightened climate-resilient standard and more,” Mr Bala said