Thakur Ranjit Singh
Auckland, July 4, 2024
The Fiji Senior Federation New Zealand organised the Senior and Older Persons Wellbeing Day on June 23, 2024 at A1 Event Centre, Papatoetoe, Auckland.
This was sponsored and mentored by Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ.
A1 Event Center Papatoetoe came on board with free facilities, lunch and refreshments. More than 200 Seniors attended the event.
Fiji Seniors Federation New Zealand (Federation) is a collection of 11 Fiji Indian Senior groups with a total membership exceeding 500.
Since its inception in July 2023, the Federation has celebrated a well-attended International Day of Older Persons and Seniors Day in October 2023 and has been active in supporting Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand with its Girmit Remembrance Day and promoting Seniors mental wellbeing around Auckland.
Family trauma and support
The day began after tasty snacks and tea with prayers and a solemn and serious presentation by the Chairperson of Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand Sam Achary. As the Managing Director of Anns Funeral Home and Onsite Cremations, he carries out the final rites at the crematorium and is aware of younger people, victims of self-harm and suicides, and the hurt it causes to many Fiji Indian families.
He welcomed all Seniors to the event.
A dedicated community leader, Sam has first-hand experience of family trauma.
He urged the Seniors and the community to give space to the new generation and let them grow and fly at their own pace and capabilities as birds do to their babies, rather than trying to make every man and his dog into a lawyer or a doctor. He also urged Seniors and parents not to be a reason for stress and support and to show love and understanding, as that is the best way to tackle mental stress in younger persons, as our country also needs technical blue-collar people.
Managing tragedies
He also advised people on the steps to be taken when death occurs and advised how to handle this difficult situation, especially if it happens at home.
The first thing to do on death at home is to immediately call the Police and be guided by them before contacting the Crematorium or funeral directors.
This intensive and helpful talk was followed by an entertaining song and another serious presentation took place after this with compliments of accomplished presenters from Auckland University and AUT.
Professor Ngaire Kerse informed Seniors about a well-hidden and stigmatised occurring, which is loss of memory and dementia, and the support she needs from the Fiji Indian community in a project to gauge the problems so help, which is available, can be given to Fiji Indian community.
A problem cited is some uninformed and dominating younger children who refuse such research and treatment, without appreciating that this is a problem that needs professional care, and their elder parents need such attention as they age.
This is normal.
This serious presentation was separated by a very graceful dance by the energetic ladies from Shivarchan Seniors, following which Professor Kerse and Professor Rita Krishnamurthi spoke on Dementia.
They spoke about a common cause of injury and death in all communities among elder people, namely falling. Professor Kerse explained the exercises to strengthen their muscles.
This was followed by a traditional Bhajan from Surendra Prasad of South Auckland Seniors. Vijendra Prasad was the Master of Ceremonies (MC) along with Sushil Shashi Awadh of Waitakere Seniors. We tried a new version of Rapid-Fire Presentation.
Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ President Krish Naidu thanked the Seniors for their support in organising the Girmit Remembrance Day held on May 25, 2024. He commended Seniors groups for working in unity and spoke about a new venture to assist and address the concerns of many new migrants from Fiji.
Funding and Training
Narendra Asre informed about the various forms of funding and digital training that he could facilitate for the Seniors. Master Rajendra Prasad from Otahuhu informed the seniors about the ways to access the total mobility scheme for discounted fares, while Vijendra Prasad revealed the importance of keeping in touch to remove loneliness.
Jai Chand from Manurewa Network spoke on elder abuse, saying that it is a criminal, and unethical act and that people need to stand up and speak about this vice.
After these presentations, we had open dancing on folk songs from members, especially from Waitakere Seniors. We had magical moments from Chandrika Prasad of Pacific Seniors Network, who with the assistance of Latika Dutt showed some unexplained tricks that thrilled the audience.
The event ended with very nice networking during lunch.
The Fiji Seniors Federation New Zealand and the Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ are jointly organising ‘World Seniors Day and the International Day of Older Persons on September 22, 2024 at the A1 Event Centre.
Thakur Ranjit Singh is a third-generation Fiji Indian, whose grandfather was an indentured labourer who arrived in Fiji in 1915 from Rajasthan, India. He is a Founding Trustee of the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand which organises the Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day every year in Auckland. Mr Singh is a journalist and media commentator, based in Auckland.
