It’s become fashionable in Christian circles for believers seeking guidance on any matter to ask simply “what would Jesus do?” The practice seems to have taken hold in certain Hindu circles in Fiji, judging from an astonishing speech given during the week by the prominent economist and anti-government campaigner, Professor Wadan Narsey. It was astonishing because Professor Narsey stood before hundreds of students at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School in Suva and invoked the name of the revered Indian statesman to support a blatant exercise in partisan local politics.
He’d been invited to speak to the students as chief guest on Mahatma Gandhi Day by Kamlesh Kumar, the President of the Gujarat Education Society and Kailash Rajput, the Principal of the MGM High School. Both men seem certain to be asked some very pointed questions by the parents of MGM students. Because their children were subjected to an extraordinary intellectual and emotional barrage by one of the Fijian Government’s most strident critics. And on any rational examination of the speech, Wadan Narsey totally crossed the line, using the revered Mahatma for his own purposes in the grubbiest of political exercises.
It was meant to be a celebration of Gandhi’s life but had all the hallmarks of a local political rally, with the students asked to applaud two other prominent government critics in the audience, human rights campaigner Shamima Ali and workers’ advocate Father Kevin Barr. Lest their be any doubt about the overtly partisan nature of the speech, to follow is the relevant passage in full. Decide for yourself if the MGM High School was an appropriate venue for such a rousing address.
What would Mahatma Gandhi have been supporting in Fiji today?
I believe: Gandhi would be a strong supporter of democratically elected governments and opposed to military coups.
He might agree with certain measures such as ethnic equality of all races and a common name for all Fiji citizens; he would agree with the fight against corruption; he might even agree with the need to reform institutions like the Great Council of Chiefs.
BUT he would totally disagree with using a military coup and guns to force changes down people’s throats.
Gandhi believed in using peaceful rational arguments to change people’s views- and not try to coerce them.
He would be a passionate seeker of the truth: the truth behind our military coups, the truth behind our economy, our society, our religious organisations, our politicians.
He would disseminate his findings and his views to the people, without fear; without concern for media censorship, without fear of laws that might imprison him for seeking and speaking the truth.
He would support organisations such as the Women’s Crisis Centre and its leading light, Shamima Ali, who also stands bravely for human rights of all citizens, including those of escaped prisoners, however much misery and fear they might cause us.
Please stand up, Ms Shamima Ali, so our students here can see what brave fighters look like. (applause from audience for Shamima).
Gandhiji would probably ask working men and boys to share equally in household work, so that working women and girls are treated fairly and also have time for their own personal development (as I explain in the books on Gender Issues in Incomes and Employment in Fiji, that I have given to all the senior economics students in this school). In this day and age, Gandhiji would probably even cook for the family, to the delight of his wife Kasturbai.
Gandhiji would support studies which seek the truth about the exploitation of vulnerable workers in Fiji, such as the books Just Wages in Fiji, funded by ECREA, which have been given to all MGM economics students.
Gandhi would support those who fight for just wages for our workers, like Father Kevin Barr here (who I disagree with on the legitimacy of the military coup in Fiji but produced the report for ECREA, on which his Wages Council work has been based). Father Barr, please stand up for the students. (applause from audience).
On a contrary note, when the Methodist Church was recently being unfairly treated, Gandhiji would have called on the religious organisations of Fiji (the Catholics, the Hindus, the Muslims and Sikhs) to stand up for the rights of their sister religious organisation, even if he did not agree with their call for Fiji to be declared a Christian State. Gandhiji would have been disappointed that these organizations missed that opportunity recently. But there is hope yet for them, the Yash Ghai Commission is still meeting.
Professor Narsey is entitled to hold these opinions but is he entitled to air them at a school gathering of several hundred students without context and an opposing view? Leaving aside the motherhood statements on domestic job sharing, many of these claims would be hotly contested. Yet hundreds of impressionable young minds were manipulated in an emotive way that raises serious questions about Professor Narsey’s judgment. It also raises serious questions about the judgment of the school itself and the Gujarat Education Society. Parents of MGM students deserve some answers. They would doubtless approve of their students being instructed on the greatness of Gandhiji. Instead, the name of the Mahatma was hijacked and used in a shameless exercise in partisan local politics.
Mr Graham
We are mature enough to make up our own minds. Professor Narsey and his family made a donation to our school. What have you contributed to, presumably nothing. But it seems your column will be reproduced in the Fiji Sun, with the avowed message that all those who invited Professor Narsey, in your words, an anti-regime campaigner – to be taken to task – the trustees of the Gujerati Education Trust. It is you who are putting the custodians of our education at risk, not Professor Narsey.
You write: “He’d been invited to speak to the students as chief guest on Mahatma Gandhi Day by Kamlesh Kumar, the President of the Gujarat Education Society and Kailash Rajput, the Principal of the MGM High School. Both men seem certain to be asked some very pointed questions by the parents of MGM students.”
Why dont you substitute parents with the military government – that is your real target – in any case, we are told that the Fiji government approves what you can write on Fiji, if it is to be published in the Fiji Sun, owned by another successful Fiji Gujerati businessman.
Long live Gandhiji and Long Live Professor Narsey!
@ Gandhijifollower,
” Long live Gandhiji and Long Live Professor Narsey!”
One was shot dead by a Hindu ..( we can also dabate if his death “saved” India) and the other is morally dead.
Strange Gandhijifollower…strange but not surprising that you and only you can claim Gandhi’s patronage……we will leave it to that for the moment.
” Long live Gandhiji and Long Live Professor Narsey!”….this is the typical “war cry” of the cowards we often see, who often gang up shouting and throwing rocks and when confronted, run away into the dark alleys.
” Long live Gandhiji and Long Live Professor Narsey!”….such slogans are often used by cowards, who when faced with reality and a difficult situation find an easy way out to hide their own inadequacy….sadly so by invoking the name of Gandhi…and sadly so that one seem to equate the likes of Wadan to Gandhi…very sad indeed.
This is not surprising because Gandhijifollower is not an indentured Fijian….a leech of the society who came into this country to feed on the vunreable.
These leeches live in gated communities and look at the rest of us with contempt…calling us dhoklas and the likes….your time is up
It may take a while but your time is up….for years our parents and grand parents have been ripped off, humiliated and treated like the untouchables and today you still treat us with contempt.
Your time is up.
My name is Chand and I am an Indentured son.
“BUT he (Gandhi) would totally disagree with using a military coup and guns to force changes down people’s throats.
Gandhi believed in using peaceful rational arguments to change people’s views- and not try to coerce them.”
How can you possibly believe that it is wrong to give such a message to school children? Or are you worried that it will hinder recruitment to the army. Oh Hang on the speech was at an Indian school and the RFMF is such a multiracial organization they do not recruit Indians. So what on earth is your problem with this message being given to children
I know in your Qorvis inspired world of spin it is only gun wielding dictators who can bring about a true democracy, but I do seem to remember that Gandhi’s peaceful protests brought about the world’s biggest democracy.
It is kind of you to let the likes of Chand read some well reasoned opinion for a change. They must find it a refreshing change from the check book journalism that is normally served up here.
@.. sold out
Listen you sell out, Wadan Narsey, Brij…and the likes are your seasoned writers and scholars….too bad you have a pea brain not capable of critical thinking…well frankly I’d be wasting my time on ya….anyways good wishes to you all and may Qorvis be with you always.
Kind regards
Please, Please, Please reprint this in the Sun.
It would be great to spread this message of peace to the mass of poverty stricken Fijians who do not have access to the Internet.
The full speach is available at
http://narseyonfiji.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/what-would-mahatma-gandhi-stand-for-in-fiji-today-2-october-2012/
I read through Wadan’s speech and was waiting for the *sharp intake of breath* shocking moment, but it wasn’t there.
What Wadan is doing is putting forward his views, which you accept he is entitled to, in a public forum. Is that not what you do also? Do you, Qorvis or the Fiji Sun run counter-balancing articles that provide context or alternate viewpoints?
(See how easy it is to make a point with rhetorical questions, like ‘is he entitled to air them at a school gathering of several hundred students without context and an opposing view?’)
Charlie, if you think it’s OK for Wadan Narsey to invoke the name of a revered Hindu leader to pursue a partisan domestic political agenda in Fiji, then let’s see how the skittles fall with the parents of those young people who were subjected to this exercise. I could equally argue – given that Gandhiji is long dead -that perhaps he may have well have supported the multiracial program being pursued by the Bainimarama government as opposed to the doctrine of racial supremacy promoted by certain members of your own family. No matter. Your intervention here is entirely predictable and forgive me if I’m unmoved.
@ Charlie “rudderless” Charlters
“What Wadan is doing is putting forward his views, … in a public forum”…….
Ok let me get this straight…..this Wadan guy is “invited” to a school as a guest speaker…..school full of children waiting to celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
…children between the ages of 14-17 years and you call this “public forum”!!!…really.
This Wadan guy talks about “what would Gandhi say….???, what would Gandhi do….???? , what would Gandhi think…????” …all this supposition.
And you were “…waiting for the *sharp intake of breath* shocking moment”….oh dear really…..
And me thinks, thank god the likes of you are irrelevant.
Is it a case of too much yeast in your diet???
I totally agree with Charlie Charters. Let us wait and see if the Fiji Sun will publish the entire speech of Wadan Narsey or merely re-produce the bankrupt column of a paid Qorvis advisor Graham Davis.
Students in Fiji, who do read the Fiji Sun, are bombarded by the poisonous, pro-regime trash from Graham Davis without any challenge.
Good one, Charlie!
Ditto to you, Toady. If people like Wadan Narsey want to spruik their twisted version of history, do it in the proper forum – a political rally – not at a school assembly in front of young people who are entitled to be unmolested by blatant political propaganda. No-one is forcing you to read my blog or the Fiji Sun. That’s a matter of choice. But the students at MGM were given no choice when they were assailed by a blatant political diatribe on Mahatma Gandhi Day. You can go on about this for as long as you want but it was wrong. Our schools should be free of any political influence – pro-regime or anti-regime – and I’m sure a lot of people would agree with me on this.
Vete a la mierda gandhi y wadan
Another one bites the dust.
Sofield gone, only two board members on the Board of AFL.
( Split decisions are being decided by flip of coin, or who can skull a bitter first.)
Looks like Sir Ian Thompson’s boy going to be the last white sahib standing.
I have re-read this piece and I really can’t see what so sticks in your crawl about it. Wadan invoked Gandhi’s name to make the point that there are elements of the Bainimarama programme that Gandhi would probably support (equality amongst races, common name, fight against corruption, reform of GCC). Then he invoked Gandhi’s name to say there are elements he probably would not.
Why the animus about this? Why so sensitive to even the slightest suggestion of criticism this government (even when it comes ‘balanced’ with positive comments)?
Oh, and on your point that my views and that of the mother of the woman I married in 1994, are indivisible, please let me assure you they are not. My views on coups were settled on May 14 1987 – when I was a reporter for FM96.
Like many in Fiji whose lives and prospects have, sadly, been defined by our military I yearn for the day that Fiji has “the smallest army imaginable”. You might find that Gandhi would endorsed that for Fiji today, much as he did in 1931 when he was setting out his vision for an independent India.
Charlie,
I think you really just don’t get this…go and kick, punch, scream and what not at the military and the current government at the Merchants Club, Bread Club or any other clubs. Invoke Gandhi would this and Gandhi would that at any other forum but the schools where the children have no choice but to assemble at the whims of the authorities. And why should 14-17 year olds, who are at the assembly without any choice be subjected to Wadan’s “views”.
Below is a copy of what I wrote on the 4th Oct…without having read Wadan’s speech.
” Chand
Posted October 4, 2012 at 10:39 PM
@ Peni Loma,
Opportunism mate, pure opportunism but very bad judgement.
I know Brij will become irrelevent like ANZ and I hope he will never be allowed on the Fijian soil again.
Wadan…well well on October 2 he was at MGM High School as the guest (according to some news) doing some small talk on the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
I can see where Wadan’s support base is in the country and I bet we will get to hear of him a lot more as we move closer to the elections…….and I for one will not be surprised of his endorsement as a candidtae from Suva (city) by block voting communities…
And lastly Peni, there is a section of the Indian community who still hope for an SDL comeback…….we will have a big fight ahead.”
Kind regards and a happy Qorvis to everyone.
Charlie, you still don’t get it. A cogent argument can surely be made that Wadan Narsey has no right to interpret what the Mahatma may or may not have thought about the appropriateness of what has happened in Fiji. How the hell would he know? It’s an absurd as me saying Jesus wouldn’t approve of Frank Bainimarama.
That is one thing. But by far the most serious concern I have is that he took it upon himself to peddle these views in front of hundreds of impressionable school kids. They were expecting a lecture about Gandhi, not a party political broadcast by a prominent anti-government critic. I don’t mind Narsey making these comments at a political rally but I don’t think this was an appropriate forum to air these views. Let’s see what their parents think.
Mahatma Gandhi presided over the division of one country India, into 2, India for Hindus and Pakistan for Muslims.
I wonder if his solution for fiji would have been Viti Levu for Indo-Fijians ( they were numerically superior to other races before the mass migration post 1987 began), Vanua Levu for itaukeis, Taveuni maybe for Chinese, Koro Islands for europeans etc. ??
gANDHI DID NOT LED THE DIVISON OF iNDIA..IT WAS THE GREEDY BRITISH WHO MANIPULATED THE MUSLIMS TO DEMAND FOR LAND…..
@ Charlie Charters…U know in indian language Charters means to lick…My question is did u lick chaudharies or Qarases Ass to post ur comment showing ur anti stance on our Government..
I am a proud supporter of this regime..What democracy are you and Narsey talking about? a democracy wea an entire race was castracised, racially abused by another?
I personally wish Mr Narsey Family as well as GhandiJi Followers including yours lived in areas such as in Naitasiri during the 2987 and 2000 coups where Indian communities were terrorized, girls raped on the alters of your so called democratically elected x government spite.
Graham you know as well as i Do that this country gained Independence on the belief of our forefathers such as the late Mr AD Patel. he beleived that Fiji belonged to every individual born in Fiji. Charlie, your democratically elected goverment took that vision away from us..they divided an entire nation on the alters of their own spite.. you hypocrit…
@ghandijifollowers..yes Ghandi Ji preached non violence..but he also preached fairness…just because warden narsey donated his daughter/wife to u/gujurati society, it dont mean he has the right to talk about political issues…it was non relevant to the occasion…this government has done so much for the people of Fiji you stupid cunt…and in any case..it seems you are too much of a ghandi follower to not realise that it wasnt just the effort of Ghandi that saw india liberated..there was also bhagat singh…and Mr singh did not follow Ghandi Jis teachings..
If bainimarama is our bhagat singh so be it…least he gave us an identity for which both graham and myself are proud of..and if you are an illiterate..let me explain it to you..i am proud to be a Fijian…
Yes graham, that is also my point..these smart arses think they can start blabbering away when ever they feel like..maybe ministry of education should start sensoring guest speakers in such events because it is fuckers like Narsey, chaudhary and Qarase who start racial hatred. and they usually invoke the gullible and the less educated through any means necessary.
It seems that charlie is only wishing a small army so that people like him and his democratically elected government can rule and gain from the misery of us the middle class and the poor people..
and take it as a freindly warning..i speak for a lot of people i know that people like you, Narsey and Chaudharies days are numbered..either be with us in the New Fiji or deal with the wrath of a very frustrated society who are sick of your blabbering..go take a gun and shoot yourself you traitors..
Graham, Let’s take your basic starting off point as this: ‘Our schools should be free of any political influence – pro-regime or anti-regime – and I’m sure a lot of people would agree with me on this.’ I, for one, agree.
But a very short amount of time spent with a Google search function leads me to at least a dozen articles in the last three months in both the Fiji Times and Fiji Sun where regime guests of honour expounded at great length on political causes dear to their hearts. In none of these article did any of the speakers attempt to provide context or counter-balancing thoughts (certainly none reported by the media).
So the issue is not Wadan attempting to divine Gandhi’s thoughts (by the way, I agree, always a subjective process, but it’s not as if Gandhi’s core principles are hard to get at). But that Wadan had the temerity to do with his audience of school children exactly what the regime does when they speak to school children.
The voting age has been lowered to 18. Therefore it seems reasonable, even desirable, for schoolchildren to be schooled in politics. For those who might say that a speech isn’t a school lesson, surely it’s reasonable to hold the idea that education continues outside, as well as inside, the school classroom.
The fact that, in this instance, a speaker chose to give a speech that was inclined towards his political viewpoint is no different to, say, a sex education teacher espousing their own moral mores within their own lesson. Do they advocate the use of condoms, or advise that sex outside marriage should not happen? A balanced lesson might impart both points of view.
Wadan Narsey provided the necessary balance in his speech and emphasised that by calling on a critic as well as a supporter of this government to receive applause.
Most importantly in all this ‘what would the parents think’ rhetoric, both Father Barr and Shamima Ali received applause from those present as, tellingly, did Wadan Narsey at the end of his speech.
@ Jon Orton,
Oh my my….this shows how ignorant and out of touch you guys are with reality…..children between the ages 14-17 years…in an assembly where they have no choice but to be there…..maybe where they cannot ask questions!!!
You guys need to get real……can we straighten a pigs tail???
Going by your sex education logic…..would you allow your 14 year old daughter/sister or any close relative for a sex education lesson….say by Wadan Narsey or your 14 year old boy for a sex education talk by the Catholic priest…
We in Fiji don’t, so take your logic to where you came from…..maybe to your circle of friends…with like minded people (not difficult to find) so you can share bread and sex education together with your families.
….some logic…oh boy…it may be the season for the balolo.
Wadan Narsey has set the ball rolling for his political campaign ain association with FLP/SDL/Mick Beddoes (Narsey is a member of NFP).
As an ex-MGM scholar, i am disgusted and annoyed by the management of MGM High for inviting an anti-govt. political stooge to give a speech on such an auspicious ocassion to the students. Perhaps it was all pre-planned by those involved.
The school is definately not the place to infiltrate young students minds with political slings, and, it is definately not the place to infect students with anti government sentiments.
Political blabbering !!!!
Graham, it’s a real shame that scholars like Mr Narsey, Mr Charters and many other anti-Bainimara people cannot understand the simplicity of Mr Bainimarama’s plan to build a better FIJI. Yes, he cleaned out an elected government, but for reasons we all know, it had to be done to preserve FIJI from becoming another RWANDA. If they have bothered to read about The Peoples Charter, they would probably understand that FIJI will progress towards equality,prosperity,one people one nation with or without these critics.The people of FIJI have total faith in Mr Bainimarama and his steadfast approach despite numerous challenges from Australia, New Zealand and ill-informed critics,like Mr Narsey and Mr Charters who have lived in FIJI,know it’s social and economic ills yet seem to live in denial about the URGENT need to change and rid off corruption,racialism,nepotism and other problems that has stifled Fiji’s progress.Please, I urge you gentlemen to come on board, and help us from wherever u are,support Mr Bainimarama and his master-plan which will ensure our children will all be proud FIJIANS,one people,one nation.
Narsey & Co are like rotten potatoes but confined to just a few bags where they cannot get out from and spread their viral infections.
On the issue of :- Should our schools be free of political influences?
Perhaps this may need to be answered and written somewhere in our Constitution. So that our children are legally protected from influences that can be detrimental to our children.
On the issues of whether Prof Narsey did influence our children politically? Was his message aired in the right forum and on the right day? Is his message a good thing to say to our children?
Well, that’s a difficult question for me. Perhaps lawyers, educators, media, leaders and highly educated bloggers in here would be in a better position to tell us.
The bottom-line is :- our leaders in our Govt and Society need to draw up a boundary on what should and should not be acceptable – so ordinary people like me can be guided in finding out whether someone has crossed the line.
This prompts me to another related issue? Should our schools be free of religious influences?
I think our Constitution too needs to adequately address this.
But I would prefer that our children be given the freedom to participate or not to participate in any religious activity in school. Because I believe region is also important to teach our children – as long as principles behind the message are good for our society. But of course there needs to be a line somewhere to guide us.
So Graham, thanks for this article – hope you and other leaders blogging in here and in Govt and various aspects of our society will adequately address the above problem and come up with a solution in ensuring a prosperous Fiji for our children.
God bless you all.
@ Riverside,
Good thought mate. Schools are a learning institution for our children where they are groomed to be future leaders of this great nation of ours.
We live in a society which is continually evolving and yet, somehow, it has become generally accepted that schooling should not change. Many still hold expectations that what “used to work” remains appropriate. But we are not the same, we are different. The world is different. Does one refuse to wear a pair of new shoes when one pair is worn out or outgrown? It doesn’t mean the old shoes are bad, they just don’t serve their purpose any longer. Critical Theory and Critical Pedagogy are based on the premise of continual change. Perhaps Critical Pedagogy will help us to prepare the citizens of tomorrow for the inevitable changes they must meet.
Having said this, might I add that politically charged tirades from irresponsible recalcitrants should be a case in point where our legislators will seriously need to look into very quickly and legislate the same in to our constitution.
Religion should be available openly and individuals should be at liberty to make their preferences. This should never be compromised.
Political interference should never be allowed to be preached in schools.
@ CHARLIE CHARTERS – If your mother in law wasnt Mere Samisoni would your ideas/views or opinion be any different?
How would you feel if Bainimarama visited your children’s school in the United Kingdom and preach about what Ghandi wouldnt have liked about what your mother in law was doing to Indians around the country? (By the way, does the Hot Bread Kitchen even employ Indians?)
How would you feel if Bainimarama visited your childrens’ school and preached to them that Ghandi believed in true democracy! Not the kind where you can swap a couple of digging forks for a comfortable seat in the House of Representatives?
How would you feel if Bainimarama visited your childrens’ school and told them that Ghandi wouldnt think about letting those men that raped women and children, burnt their homes and stole from them into power?
Do you think Ghandi would agree (nay sympathise) with your mother in law to having sit in the same room with those same murderers, thieves, rapists and con artists? (well i think that Kenneth Zinck qualifies as both a con artist and alcoholic)
There’s alot that Ghandiji wouldnt want or agree to but I think it starts first with those con artists now crying foul.
Please tell them (you obviously have access to one or two) that retirement in the shadows will probably do more good than harm for them.
If Narsey is so appreciative of Fr Kevin Barr’s stand on worker’s wages, he could have given encouragement and guidance to the children not work for the Gujis the bloodsuckers of Fiji who have become multi-millionaires exploiting workers of Fiji. They have successfully bought favors with successive Govt’s with their money not to allow any formation of Unions to protect them. What about those ‘wailing banshees’ who want to rob the food plate from those who are gainfully employed now. Narsey you are a typical Guji and you are not even fit to be Gandhi’s loincloth!
Narsey has been nothing more than a drunk with a lust for attention. In reality, he is nothing more than a scared little man hiding behind the cloak of his work experience. Its pathetic really!
Prof Narsey, you are a brave man. Ms. S. Ali, you are our Joan of Arc. Fr. Barr, fighter for the poor. Adi Teimumu, our brave Chief. Four strong voices.
We are listening. Here. Now. and Forever.
@ Losalini
If Teimumu is so righteous and correct, why did she travel wirth her daughter to the US and allowed her to remain there as an overstayer?
By doing so has she condoned an illegal act for the benefit of a close family member?
Isnt that a form of corruption?
Narsey can tell us how your Guji friends are siphoning money out of Fiji to Australia and New Zealand.
Losalini
Those three people you mentioned are attention seekers. All they have been doing is political grandstanding. They dont give a rats ass whether you eat or starve. Grow up lady.
Losalini
Que pedo en la mujer del viento.
Schools are academic institutions where children are taught on how the world is and operates. In here kids learn about the materialistic sides, social sides, religious side, political sides, economical sides, monetary sides, sports side, national security sides etc etc etc. Now the key element is two things, one is balance and the other is preparation. In every society democratic, communism, first, developing and third world, the million dollar question is have we given the necessary educational balance to prepare our children for the challenges of the world?
Now to answer that question each society acts based on their cultures, traditions, experiences, religion and point of view. Children in China will be educated differently to the ones in Israel, as are the ones in Africa compared to the ones in eastern europe etc etc, then in each country you have the different dare I say it lifestyle class. Children in the village will be schooled differently to the ones in the city. Now taking into account religions, parents professions and views then it becomes clear that balance is according to personal preferance of parents, teachers, ministers both religious and political etc etc etc.
But at least the universal agreement is that regardless of countries, lifestyle, religions everyone wants their kids to be successful i.e grow up get a job and fend for him/her-self. So basically we have to devise a curriculum that is balanced and would prepare our kids for their life. I’ld say at primary level, keep it to foundations levels, eg religion is ok whatever practice because it teaches them values that will help them become better people, just dont force it or over do it, eg you cant teach an hindu kid a christian way becausr at home he is taught about hindustani so it sends a mixed message and confused them, keep it simple especially to what they’re used to at home, because home is heart of their life and we cant compete against it.
Now at high school level we tone it up to specialist fields like economic, engineering, basically the technical and professional sides. Now religion and politics should be taught at a balance level, how do we do that, teach it more on a debate basis, get a feel of what they think. Never should schools force a religious or political view on pupils neither should it not at all raise the topic because its a reality they wil face in their life.
To conclude based on the complexity of our society there needs to be alot of discussions between parents, teachers and children before a policy is drawn up on just how we as a society of multicultural citizens will tackle the balance and preparation questions for our kids education.
There is no one answer and that is the reallity, but we can always try our best to come close to it.
Thank you Moto bitu for the enlightenment – I really appreciate it.
I really hope for more discussion and in-depth views on this from all of you intelligent bloggers and educators out there to help us ordinary people better understand this very complex issue.
Please guys enlighten us so we can take these thoughts to our various little groups and discuss these very important issues for we are now drawing up our Constitution and will soon be looking for a political party to support. Its rather heart breaking when political parties surprise us ordinary people with such issues during Election time – because we know very little of such things.
We ordinary people who are not very well educated rely alot on your guidance and knowledge of such important matters. So come Election time at least we have better understanding and information.
Some initial issues I would appreciate answered are:
– Was this issue adequately addressed by previous Govts? What is it that they did not actually do? What has this Govt done about it?
– Did previous political parties’ manifestos identify these problems and how they will address it?
– What do our reputable educators at USP and FNU think that was not addressed appropriately by previous Govts and what exactly do they think should be done? Is it just a matter of amending our Constitution or should these be also reflected in various laws/regulations, Policies and Procedures Manuals of Govt?
– Etc…etc.
Your views on this would be much appreciated.
God bless.
Yes Lighthouse. Exactly!
@ Riverside.
What has been done in our nation has been done and we cannot change the past – we can only now look to the future.
One good thing we as a nation have is that we now have another opportunity to make a change for a better Fiji.
Most of us don’t like coups – even the current Govt wants to put an end to coups as the People’s Charter states this.
We need intelligent, good and wise people of our nation (both pro and anti the VB Govt) to set out a good foundation for which we can build our nation.
There’s alot of these good and intelligent people out there. Only if they think of us ordinary people and start the ball rolling on highlighting some of these important national issues so we ordinary people can be better informed to make better decisions during Election time.
So mate – let’s pray good things will eventually come out of our leaders in moving our beloved Fiji forward.
God bless you mate.
Thanks Lighthouse.
Let’s hope our leaders will all come out and debate important national issues for the benefit of ordinary people like us.
God bless you too and may His light continue to guide us all.
To all you intelligent bloggers who disagree with Graham – please we need your views too – please don’t be put down with all the ‘little’ missiles being fired at you. I strongly believe you are very much capable of handling it and also have thick skins.
And to those who are pro this current Govt – please we need to keep Grubsheet a respectable forum for very good debates so we ordinary people can be really assisted and not be taken away with all the unnecessary hype. I believe you have very good arguments and have what’s needed to outshine your opponents.
Anyway, you all are doing a great favour for our beloved nation when we talk and discuss and look for loopholes and solutions to our problems.
So please keep the debates going…………… before the Constitution is finalized and we go to the polls – when all that needs to be said has actually been said. And we can all feel at peace that our future generations will not point at us for not standing up to what we should have said and done.
Thank you.
One of Gandhi’s virtues was “Commerce with conscience”. Can Mr. Narsey tell us how many of his Guji friends follow this?
So Narsey bought the patronage of the MGM School? And having taken the money the School turns a blind eye to his politics? And the Fiji Times publishes a watered down version of his speech which fools us not at all.
@ Lighthouse & Riverside (& Others)………
Great views you two have demonstrated here pals. Mature, sensible and intelligent. Lets keep this forum respectable with healthy debates, and not succumb to the cheap and disgusting name calling lingo, vulgarism and stupidity as practiced in the opposition blog sites.
This forum belongs to intelligent beings where intelligence and rational is of the highest order.
So, lets keep the ball rolling fellas.
@ Castro…
Stop issuing “Fatwas” and death threats to the opponents of intelligence pal. They are already irrelevant and are just displaying their foolishness and “no brain” attitude in this forum.
Lend them a helping hand bro so they may recuperate from whatever disturbance they may be encountering during desperate times. PERIOD.
US President, Barack Obama has sent his message to people of Fiji that the American people continue to support Fijians in their quest to draft a new constitution and return to democracy.
In his National Day message to all Fijians, President Obama said that he is confident that the close relationship between the US and Fiji will strengthen as the people of Fiji work to build a more free and prosperous future.
President Obama has said that we share a mutual commitment to peace, freedom, the rule of law, democratic principles and respect among nations.
He said the close ties between Fijians and Americans are a product of our shared commitment to these core values.
In his letter, President Obama said that he extends his sincere congratulations to the people of the Republic of Fiji and the commemoration of Fiji’s 42nd anniversary of independence.
My above post spekas volumes for our nation. A very small message from the most powerful president on earth, but it surely gives out a lot of positive messages in it.
This should surely send shivers down the spine of the opponents of intelligence.
Full Stop.
@ Jukebox
Thanks for your comments.
Yes – it is very pleasing to hear such words from the world’s most powerful President. We ordinary people are somehow reassured that we have common values with the US and we are both committed to it. So thank you very much to our current leaders in Govt. – very much appreciated.
Gandhi is a very noble man and a man of peace. He deserves to be remember for ever more. His main objective I think was to have a nation that can have peace and unity and a future a prosperous one.
The values he wanted for his nation to a degree is the same as ours. However the paths we followed differs.
Does that mean that we followed the wrong path to achieving these great values which we want to lay as the foundation for our great nation?
Oh dear me – my head is now spinning………………
I’m now thinking of this: Is there a better alternative – given our conditions at that time? An alternative that is swift and effective and the least costly one for us? An alternative that doesn’t end with terror like what happened in India during Gandhi’s time when great numbers of Hindus and Muslims eventually have to go through some very terrible experiences?
Please Narsey, ‘Davis sold out’, Charlie Charters, Jukebox, Moto bitu and all of you intelligent people out there – please enlighten me and those ordinary people like me on this.
Also there’s another important issue I’m now thinking of:- In 1987 we went through an experience that was brought about as the iTaukeis were not happy with the economic disparity they were having. iTaukeis although owned majority of the land they were not economically better off. So changes came about to try and bridge this economic gap.
Now, these incentives once enjoyed by the iTaukeis in their eyes have ‘diminished’. Their ‘rights’ perhaps eroded – even to the extent that the GCC is no more. I believe a good number of iTaukeis wants remedies or substitutes or something they can be pleased with in regards to these issues – so they can also be happy – and they also deserve to be given some kind of assurance in this new Constitution or whatever policies that can be created that their rights and traditions will not be adversely affected. I’m not sure what our current Govt is doing or going to do about this – but I’m pretty sure alot of intelligent leaders out there can enlighten us ordinary people on this and offer good insights as to how this will/should be tackled.
So when it’s time to finalize our Constitution at least we have some suggestions on the way forward to ensuring a better and prosperous Fiji for all. Yes – for all people – the iTaukeis, the Fijians of Indian origins, the Fijians of European origins and everybody else including our various religious faiths, our business people, etc – so all our concerns are adequately addressed. This is important to me as I think the Constitution will be the foundation on which we build our new Fiji.
Anyway……………..a good and happy Fiji Day to you all and God bless Fiji.
Riverside,
Despite the best attempts of Graham and others to paint me as a vassal of my mother in law, personally, I am not anti-Bainimarama or pro-Qarase. But I am deeply anti-coup. These things just don’t work out as intended.
I was a young reporter working at FM96 during the first two coups. There was a lot of after-the-fact justifying of why the coups were necessary: the easiest to understand narrative was that Fijians/i Taukei had not had fair access to the economic benefits of the country, and therefore the coups happened as a logical consequence of that disenfranchisement.
I always thought that was a lot of self-serving nonsense. For me, the real motivation behind those coups (and subsequent) was that there existed in Fiji a tightly associated clan of business and political figures who felt an overweening sense of entitlement, and whose jobs for life were threatened by the Bavadra victory in April 1987.
It was that unholy alliance of Coup-Enablers that conspired to create the circumstances that delivered 1987, 2000 and 2006.
Certainly there was and remains a huge number of Fijians/i Taukei who feel marginalised and passed over by the many and conspicuous benefits of development (electricity, piped water etc.). But these same disadvantaged people did not lead the coups; the coups were not mass uprisings (along the lines of the Arab Spring); all four coups were events of huge national significance (and great long-lasting economic damage) that were done in all our names but by a tiny few who self-selected themselves based on what they feared they had to lose, and who subsequently have enjoyed the huge trappings that come with high political office, salary, entitlements, pensions, or in the case of the cabal of business leaders, have enjoyed preferential tariff protection, access to loans, etc.
@Charlie Charters,
What’s in a name: Coup vs Democracy.
Are coups all the same??
Are Democracies all the same???
HAMAS won the long awaited democratic election (in the Gaza strip) but was rejected by the worlds democracies viz USA/Aust and others….it didn’t suit them.
So can we now say that there are democracies and then there are also democracies…..your definition for a good or a bad democracy is ….welll….its like a bread oven, sometimes we get good bread and sometimes burnt ones out of the same oven.
And now lets get to the coups…….welll….its like a bread oven, sometimes we get good bread and sometimes burnt ones out of the same oven.
Going by your logic here’s what we should do:
1. Change the name of the oven that produces good bread from the bad ones.
2. Mix the bread and sell them to the naive and the unsuspecting.
3. Give it to Wadan Narsey to ditribute to MGM high school.
4. Blame the buyer for the bad bread
5. Wait for another George Speight to happen.
Here’s a question: would you “talk/caution” the bread maker to produce better bread……from what I have seen that will never happen.
So what’s in a name….?
Ps. I use bread an an example because it is an everyday consumed item by most people and forms part of our everyday life although I make my own bread at home…..bread reminds me of a lot of things
@ Chand
Bula bro. Good post. The issue of bread is a sensitive one for Charlie.
Remember how those ethno-natioanlist thugs who raped and looted from their base at Parliament House in 2000 were kept well fed by members of the taukei elite and business class?
The racist thugs were scoffing it up large on cream buns. croissants with bacon and cheese fillings, and all types of exotice bread loaves – vienna, pane de casa, sour dough rolls etc etc …courtesy of a local bread franchise owner!
Charlie was spot on in that regard.
We have, and never will, forget.
I have said it before…and I will say it again….what is a 70 year old grandmother hyperventilating over the current poltical situation in Fiji that she had very much a hand in creating?
If she wants to go overseas to push for the Australia & NZ to invade Fiji so that she and her Lauan kai vata’s (Qarase, Mara, Weleilakeba et al) will rule the roost, then she is mistaken.
People in Viti Levu now see it at Lauan bullshit!
God Bless Fiji…and not narrow-minded provincially-driven assholes!
Vitit Levu people are angry = no more self serving Lauan’s ala ; Qarase, Weleilakeba, Mara…etc
Mere Samisoni-doesn’t really know what she wants! When we had a democratically elected Govt in Labour she suppoted the coup makers, when a democratic elected Govt in SDL got kicked out she supported them-after all she was part of the Govt! So the question is what and who does she really support. She appers to have one leg in one camp and the other leg in the other camp. Consistently inconsistent! Best bet-Dr Mere Samisoni needs to concentrate on bread baking!
@Charlie Charters,
Your analysis about the coup plotters can be mistaken for the so called democratically elected politicians who manipulates the common people through the chiefs and church ministers just so they can get into office and once there they hardly if ever serve the people. They too enjoyed the trappings of high political office, you only have to look at Qarase and Mara village to get a feel of it. You’re probably on the spot with the 1987/2000 coup but as for the 2006 coup I feel it very much differs.
Yes we all don’t like coups but the reality is that since our independence in the 70’s politicians have been promising on changes but haven’t delivered one bit. And I believe part of their weaknesses was the fact that Aus/NZ were pulling afew strings because those two regional bullies prefer a broken Fiji that enables them to take control through strings attached aids just to name a few tactics they always use.
For the first time since independence we’ve felt a different Fiji, and a good one at that. Every ethnicity in Fiji are getting along fine and people feel safe and proud. That is the word on the street. Anti government parties and individual always try and spin the positive on the ground story to fear of saying otherwise, yet if you take facts rather then people’s opinion the Australian lowly institute poll conducted in Fiji showed that over 70 percent of the population like these current government, 29 percent were neutral. That is an overwhelming support based on facts fella.
The difference between these government and all previous ones is that they actually follow up with action on their words. The previous ones were just all talk no action. Pretty much like the anti current government who talk so much bullshit even in the face of facts.
Fella enough with the empty assumptions, back it up with facts or else you’re barking into the wind.
As dri yani.
Can we work together for a better fiji? Come on guys lets do it.
Podemos trabajar juntos por un mejor Fiji. Vamos muchachos hagamoslo.
@ Charlie Charters
Thank you so much my dear Sir for your comments.
Yes as mentioned by many and even by Moto bitu – we all don’t like coups – and even wars.
On your statement Sir that ‘these (coups) just don’t work out as intended’ – well that seems to be another thing.
I don’t know much but I think there are various views to that statement and intelligent bloggers here who are pro the current Govt thinks otherwise. For me – I think the US snatched control of their country from the British empire – in 1700s? – maybe that is a coup – and they declared themselves an independent nation? – and then they went to war later on on this.
Well I don’t know alot about these sorts of things, you’re the intelligent journalist who can enlighten me and other ordinary folks on this………….
But this I know, so far we have noted that the current Govt has done so much for the people of this great nation. So it seems that it’s just proper that we should thank them for this great effort in moving Fiji forward.
Lighthouse said the the current Govt wants to eliminate this coup culture too as he stated that it’s written in the People’s Charter.
I personally have not seen any previous Govt done so much for all people – yes – all the people of this great nation. Moto bitu’s statement that the 2006 coup perhaps is different from previous ones I think has substance in it.
Perhaps I can easily be proven wrong. But from where I stand down here with the very little that I can see – I can say with confidence that alot has been done and achieved by the current Govt. Even alot of old Regulations, Policies and other instruments used in building up the foundation of our great nation has certainly being reviewed and readjusted – perhaps to meet the current challenges of our times.
Yes – alot of ordinary people do like to thank the current Govt for these economic and development activities that they are pursuing for the sake of our beloved Fiji.
But are these changes enough to eliminate the coup culture? So that we don’t have another coup – as we all don’t like coups.
Oh dear me ………….. another very difficult question for me ………….. why in the world did I ask this …….. esp when I don’t know much and asking so many headache questions. Maybe it needs to be asked – so at least I can be at peace with myself and not be criticized by my future generations for not doing so.
Ok – the reason I brought up the issues relating to the iTaukei is because its what worries them the most – if not amicably resolved then the foundation of this great country in my view perhaps doesn’t seem complete.
This also goes for the concerns of other Fijians who are worried about land issues.
If we do not find appropriate solutions to these great issues then our task of the current generation is not complete.
Then the objective of eliminating the coup culture may still be a question mark. Perhaps a big question mark.
Prof Narsey has done some research on the economic disparities – I think some of his observation can be seen in:
http://narseyonfiji.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/making-rich-fijians-richer-contextual-statement-for-defense-counsel-for-mr-qarase/
where he mentioned that only 8% of business taxpayers are iTaukeis. This is very little compared to their numbers and land ownership.
What seems to need more attention now is what the current and future Govt’s going to do about this great disparity. iTaukeis I think form a very great percentage of the population – so if they don’t seem to have been assisted fairly or guaranteed this ‘fair’ assistance then the risks of having another coup sometime in the future is still high.
This is the same for the land issue – if this is not resolved and solution widely accepted (by majority of iTaukeis and other Fijians) then a great problem still exists.
So what solutions can we offer? So there are no more coups – and all our people happy that our deepest concerns have been adequately and fairly addressed. So that this becomes the foundation of our new Constitution.
Prof Narsey has made alot of observations in his blog – I don’t know whether he has offered sufficient solutions to adequately address this question – as these issues perhaps is connected to economics.
Maybe he and others who are anti the current Govt have solutions and recommendations on actions that can be taken and for some of these enshrined in our Constitution so that the coup culture can truly be eliminated.
On the other hand, perhaps this current Govt has something up their sleeves and waiting for the perfect time to throw their ‘trumps’.
For me ………………. its very simple ………… please we need to start the ball rolling on these discussions prior to finalizing the Constitution – because after that it will be a very difficult thing to change it as alot will need to be done.
Anywayz ………………… what do I know……………… I leave things to you all intelligent bloggers and I’ll pray very hard for God to shine his light upon each of you so you can find and mark the path for the journey that we are about to take.
God bless you all.
Can someone tell me if Mere Samisoni is real I-Taukei? She does not look like one.
Tomasi – wot does it matter – she’s registered in th VKB – Graham I thot you vowed to NOT publish any comment that was not related to the main subject? Come on and be consistent!