Sadhu Kuppuswamy’s Vision to Unite Sangam

The late Sadhu Kuppuswamy foresaw a multi-cultural and multi-racial society that Fiji would become; he then worked towards building a Sangam organisation that would strive to be united.

Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts, Dr Anjeela Jokhan made these remarks during the Sevaka Ratnam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Day celebration at the Penang High School in Rakiraki on Tuesday.

She said the life journey of the late Sadhu Kuppuswamy should be an inspiration to all Fijians and the occasion befitted the theme - Together Building a United Sangam.

“After witnessing the state of the welfare of the South Indians, he resolved to set up a temple and schools to teach Tamil to the children of Girmitiya,” she said.

This, she said was the growth of an organisation that brought about unity among the people under a common cause.

The message

“It’s always encouraging seeing the younger generation, like the students present here today, who come forward to bear the shared responsibility in nation building,” said Dr Jokhan, who is also a life member of Sangam.

“Keep your focus on what you want to do in your life, there will be obstacles that get you distracted in what you do.”

The Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala, who is also the TISI Sangam interim president, said the celebration was brought to Rakiraki with good faith and thoughts.

“It is our faith that did it and historically the late Sadhu made Sangam and spent most of his days here,” he said.

“We are all gathered here just because of his vision. This foundation, no matter how many times this Sangam takes a blow, won’t be shattered. People will come and go but Sangam will remain.

“I pray to all to work together and work for the betterment of our future. The doors of all Sangam institutions will remain open to people of all races. Likewise, a lot of them have reached greater heights in their careers.”

Students from all Sangam institutions in the country were part of the celebration.

Sadhu Kuppuswamy

He arrived here on April 12, 1912, on the ship Sutlej 3 and served his indenture on Francis Sahib estate in Yaladro, Tavua.

He took up employment in one of the cane estates in Navua. Around 1920 he moved to Rakiraki to join the Melbourne Company as a double horse ploughman in Caulasi, Rakiraki.

In 1921, KS Raman built a bure school on his estates in Malau, Rakiraki and Sadhu taught Tamil for four years. He then moved to Penang and Wairiki primary school.

In 1926, Sadhu with other stalwarts, laid the foundation in creating the Sangam organisation, then known as India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam.

He died in 1956 in Nadi and in 1977, TISI Sangam began to observe August 2 as his memorial day.