Young Indian Leaders In Fiji

THIS recent photograph shows three of the young Indian intellectuals, who are leaders in the large and growing Indian community in Fiji. They are, from left to right: Hon. M. Mudaliar, M.L.C., J.P.; Pundit G. D. Sharma, editor of the Indian newspaper “Vriddhi Vani”; and Hon. K. B. Singh, M.L.C., J.P.

Mr. Munswamy Mudaliar was born in South India; he was a school teacher in Cey lon; and he came to Fiji in 1916, where he engaged in agricul ture. In 1921, Mr.

Mudaliar took an active part in the struggle for Indian status, and acted as leader in his district.

For several years he was Treasurer.

Auditor and President of Sanatan Dharam Sabha, of Fiji. It was through Mr. Muda liar’s effort that Mad ras Sangam (the then India Sanmarkya Aikya Sangam) was formed in 1922, and he has since been the President of that in stitution. The San gam has built, at Nadi, at a cost of over £3500, the largest Indian School In Fiji. In 1932 Mr.

Mudaliar was elected unopposed as member of the Legislative Council of Fiji, which seat he still occupies.

In 1933 he was given the commission of Justice of the Peace.

Mr. Mudaliar is now a storekeeper in Ba.

Pundit Gurudayal Sharma was born in Suva, Fiji, 24 years ago, and he was edu cated in Fiji. He en tered the cinema in dustry, and was pro prietor of the Nadi theatre for some years.

In 1928 he joined the Pacific Press Limited,

and later became assistant editor of “Vriddhi” and “Pacific Press.”

He has done valuable work for the Indian community as assistant secre tary of the Indian Reform League, gene ral secretary of Sanatan Dharam Sabha, president of Sanatan Dharam Young Men’s Association and secretary of Bra haman Maha Sammelan of Fiji. In 1930 he introduced a monthly paper entitled "‘Sanatan Dharam”; since 1933 he has been editor of “Vriddhi Vani.” He is also a joint proprietor of the “Avalon Theatre,” in Suva.

Mr. K. B. Singh was born in India in 1905, and was educated in his village high school, namely, Rajput Doaba High School, Nadalon. Then he joined the Government service. He learned his early politics in Delhi, where he followed the late Lala Lajpat Rae, a well-known National leader. He studied accountancy

at Singapore, and came to Fiji in Janu ary, 1930. He has been the general sec retary of both the Indian Labour Union of Fiji and Hindoo Maha Sabha of Fiji. Mr.

Singh was elected a member of the Legis lative Council of Fiji in 1932, and resigned in February, 1933, on account of the Common Roll question. He was again elected by an overwhelming majority in June, 1933; and, since then, he has re tained his seat in the Legislative Coun cil. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in June, 1934. Mr. Singh is a bril liant speaker, in English and Hindi.