Fiji Day celebration
AS I glanced through The Sunday Times, I reflected on the 50th Fiji Day celebrations that we had at Albert Park and at Balgovind Rd in Nadawa at Vinod Prasad’s residence.
In a united call, the residents of Balgovind Rd came dressed in blue and Mr Vinod’s family had decorated their home with Fiji flags, flicking lights and blue balloons.
We were blessed with beautiful weather and the Ramayan program started on time.
The message was simple — unity, togetherness and solidarity was the way forward.
The residents were reminded about the sacrifices their descendants and the indentured labourers had made to education, economy, health, finance and other critical sectors.
Children were reminded to respect their elders and to be patriotic citizens.
The elderly members were emotional as their mind went back to the 1970 celebration at Albert Park as Prince Charles handed over the documents to our prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
We took part in the cake cutting ceremony after which religious songs were sung.
The moment was a significant one in the history of Balgovind Rd as it was the first time that an independence day was celebrated with a Ramayan program.
Hence, the residents of Balgovind Rd joined hands to celebrate Fiji’s 50th independence celebration.
It is the unity and togetherness that keep the residents going who stood tall and went to distribute relief packs to the residents affected by the tornado this year. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu