Inspiring our youths
BULA readers! Last week was a very special time for me as my daughter Rhea - after three attempts - finally managed to become class captain at her school.
It was a long time coming, but what made it more rewarding was on her first two attempts to become class captain she probably wasn't ready for it, but this time Rhea made the necessary adjustments needed to be worthy of the title.
I know what you must be thinking, being a class captain is no big deal, but on the contrary to a young student it certainly means a lot, probably more than you can imagine.
Whether you are class captain, school monitor, school prefect, environmental prefect or even a happy go lucky student, these are all building blocks for our future leaders in any capacity throughout Fiji. Whether it be sports, education, research, engineering, environmental causes, home economics or serving the nation regionally or nationally. Whatever the passion, it's nice to see the confidence and determination demonstrated by our youth as they navigate their way around new issues that as parents we didn't have to deal with.
There are urgent problems to be solved and complex ones such as climate change, which is a real concern for everyone as it affects all of us going forward. We have social media and the pros and cons of this phenomenon which if used correctly can enhance lives and be such an effective tool.
What I do know is if we treat our youth with respect and nurture them with guidance and mentoring the future will be bright for the next generation, who to me seem so much smarter and switched on than we ever were.
They seem brave and willing to ask the hard questions that we may have avoided. The youth seem to be more inquisitive and are willing to find the answers to the questions that they ask. It is certainly a new and exciting time for all of us as we are certainly connected to the world more so then ever before.
I believe the future can be bright and can be exciting for the youth of today, but our generation has a responsibility to lay the foundations of democracy, respecting the rule of law, giving equal opportunities for all, regardless or race, gender, color or creed.
We can set examples by agreeing to disagree and still be friends. We can debate without insulting each other, we can respect each others opinions and move on. We can turn this corner together and give our future leaders a great platform to address the regions issues. We can teach our youth that hating is never going to succeed, but respect for your fellow human is what is needed.
Tolerance is a beautiful word and that is what is needed going forward, watching my own children and my families and friends' children, there seems an appetite for progression, but also respecting our culture and tradition.
Maybe it's time for Fijian and Hindi languages to be taught alongside English in primary school level so all children have a basic understanding of all three languages, thus breaking down some premeditated racial bias.
Introducing Girmit Day and also Ratu Sakuna Day is a wonderful idea and has given a new identity to our two largest races in Fiji and will keep alive the rich tradition and culture of both races. It might be a time to learn more about our own history in more detail and rejoice in the diversity of different ethnic values.
It seems that the youth are thirsty for knowledge about Fiji and its traditions dating back hundreds of years and now is the time to celebrate this and pass on to our next generation the stories and lessons learned throughout our history before it is too late and disappears totally.
Just like any country, Fiji should be celebrated with its rich diverse mix and our youth should be encouraged to learn more about our different cultures and traditions. This will dispel any suspicion and misunderstanding, leading to a more harmonious society.
We certainly have the opportunity to do this now for our future generations and we should work together towards this important goal to continue to make Fiji a free thinking and culturally inclusive nation for the future.
The foundations are being put in place as we speak, but it is now up to us as citizens to follow this through with action, to make Fiji a better place for all of us and our future generations.
Finally, I am certainly a big fan of the youth in this country and in my humble opinion we all have a stake in the future of our nation and now is the time to mentor and inspire the younger generation. We can guide and help them to make the right decisions plus be there to assist them when they make the wrong decisions.
Indeed, we are all in this together and as individuals and collectively it all begins at home, so now is an opportune time to turn that corner and help groom the next generation to be the best they can be in whatever they choose to do.
AJAY BHAI AMRIT
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