A Correspondent
Navua, Fiji, December 30, 2017
Vidya Wati Prasad, a well-known community worker and mother of the Wellington-based Hindi Master Sunita Narayan, passed away in Navua Islands, Fiji on December 18, 2017.
She was 86 years old and left behind her husband Mahesh Prasad, two sons, three daughters, seven granddaughters and one great granddaughter.
Following a funeral service, she was cremated at the Raiwaqa Cemetery, Navua on December 22, 2017.
About the Family
Ms Prasad’s grandfather arrived in Fiji from Uttar Pradesh as a Girmitya. an indentured labourer during the Girmitya period (1879-1916). Her father, Matai Choudhary, moved to Rakiraki where she was born and raised with her siblings Deo Sharan, Chandar Sen, Sushila Wati and Shila Sant Ra. Later, she spent a few years at Dilkusha Girls Home to obtain further education.
Ms Prasad’s parents moved back to Navua where she married Mahesh Prasad. Together, they raised a family of five children.
Social concerns
She was on the Navua Advisory board and was the Founding-President of Kamal Women’s Club and was involved in social work. She was passionate about ‘Lokgeet,’ composing and singing songs.
Besides bringing up her own children, she helped to shape the lives of many young people for whom she became a role model.
Generosity personified
Ms Prasad is fondly remembered for her sweet smile, kind and soft-spoken nature, immaculate sense of style and grace, generous and giving heart, and immense love for her family, friends and anyone with whom she came in contact.
Children and Grandchildren
Ms Prasad is survived by husband Mahesh Prasad (Navua, Fiji); Sons & Daughters-in-law: Ashok & Manjula Kumar (Seattle, USA) and Anil & Reshmi Kumar (Toronto, Canada); Daughters & Sons-in-law: Sunita & Deo Narayan (Wellington, New Zealand), Sarita Prasad (Navua, Fiji) and Lalita & Pradeep Dass (Toronto, Canada); Seven granddaughters: Sharonyka Kumar Narayan and Vinay Narayan (grandson-in-law) & Sharmista Kumar (Seattle, USA), Srishti & Anuksha Narayan (Auckland, New Zealand), Payal Dass (Toronto, Canada), and Anjali & Rashi Kumar (Toronto, Canada); Great granddaughter: Marisol Vidya Payne (Seattle, Washington, USA)
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Photo Caption:
Vidya Wati Prasad
