Umaria’s big picture

MANY thanks to Suva’s past mayor or chief administrator, Chandu Umaria.

You had undertaken several projects for the city of Suva and helped many residents. Some did not approve of your projects but that did not dampen your spirits. You were always proactive and looked at the bigger picture.

Your most memorable project was “My Suva Picnic

Park”, which was a success story until the powers that be decided to put in place a 4-lane ‘highway’ alongside it. Until they put up that ugly fence cutting off half of the area of “My Suva Picnic Park”, the park was a hive of activity daily.

In the weekends and public holidays it was a meeting place for people of all races, ages and walks of life. Laughter filled the air as children played on the swings or slides.

Youths played touch rugby nearby. Families would take out their mats and sit on the ground. Others would enjoy their meals under the little huts, while the fitness gurus pounded the paths with their brisk walking.

Driving past was always enjoyable as one took in the scene of a peaceful Fiji, which is fast becoming a melting pot of different cultures.

It is unfortunate that someone decided that a 4-lane ‘highway’ was more important than “My Suva

Picnic Park”. They certainly did not see the bigger picture that Chandu Umaria saw not only for the city of Suva but for Fiji.

Thank you Mr Umaria for daring to dream. I salute you for your tireless and timeless efforts.