Venkat Raman
Mutual respect, goodwill, understanding and the spirit of unity – characteristic features of Fijians – were demonstrated at a get-together held at the country’s High Commission in the Indian Capital
in New Delhi last week.
High Commissioner Yogesh Punja hosted the ‘Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’ that also highlighted the cultural and social values of Fiji on December 23, 2019.
Thirty-Five Fijians, who are currently in India for medical treatment joined the High Commission staff, their families and friends at the get-together which included networking, speeches, ‘Taralala,’ a Fijian dance and dinner.
Unity and Prosperity
Mr Punja said that Thanksgiving and Christmas afforded a good opportunity to recognise the significance of unity and prosperity.
He said it was good to bring together Fijians who are in India for health reasons with their families and caregivers. The patients are being treated at Batra Hospital, Max Hospital, Apollo Hospital, PSRI, Forties, BLK and Artemis Hospital.
“This Programme has been organised in the spirit of compassion and care for Fijians in India who are away from their families in Fiji. This is also an occasion to convey our government’s best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year,” he said.
The Hospital International Liaison Officers and their patients thanked the High Commission and ‘Team Fiji’ for organising the event.
“This Programme brought back fond memories of Fiji for the Fijian families in India,” Mr Punja said.
Bainimarama’s Message
The spirit of compassion that forms the core of Christmas was the theme of the Message to the Nation by Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
He urged Fijians to show genuine care and kindness towards everyone and help people in need without discriminating this festive season for a better, safer Fiji.
People should strive to do the right thing in everything they do all the time and not only when someone is watching, he said on December 24, 2019 in Suva, Capital of Fiji.
“Fiji is becoming a digital society now; however we cannot afford to leave our morality in this physical world. When posting anything online this season, people should maintain the kindness, demonstrate decency and lead with example for the children of Fiji,” he said.
Condolences to Solomon Islands
Mr Bainimarama also shared a thought of condolence to the Samoan families who have lost their loved ones to measles in 2019.
He said that Fiji has a nationwide measles mass vaccination campaign and had urged all Fijians to get their children between the ages of six months and five years vaccinated.
“There is blessing richer than the love of friends and families this season and it should be cherished by people,” Mr Bainimarama said.
Bainimarama also extended his greetings to all members of the disciplinary forces who are away from their loved ones serving overseas this Christmas due to peacekeeping duties.
- Fiji’s High Commissioner to India Yogesh Punja with staff and fellow Fijians at the Christmas Party in Delhi on December 23, 2019.
- Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama with children on Christmas Eve in Suva (Facebook Screenshot)
