Indians' Thanks

Fiji Governor and Education Problems

THERE was an interesting incident in Fiji, in February, when the Gov ernor, Sir Harry Luke, at the invitation of the Indian society named Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, proceeded to Nadi and, in the Sangam school, in the presence of a distinguished company of Europeans and Indians, unveiled a portrait of a previ ous Governor, Sir Arthur Richards.

It appears that Sir Arthur Richards, when he was Governor in Fiji some three years ago, took a keen personal interest in the education of the Indian community and, as a result of what he learned, he decided to give official en couragement and support to the Indian society referred to, which has volun tarily undertaken the education of one fifth of the Indian children in Fiji.

In an address, Swami Rudranandaji said that the Society had been work ing in Fiji for the past 16 years, in an endeavour to restore some status and culture to the Indians in Fiji.

“Through force of circumstances,” said the Swami, “we who lay claim to one of the oldest —if not the oldest—civili sation of the world found ourselves, after a stay of 50 years in Fiji, a com munity who had lost all their culture and tradition. The education of the people was neglected during that era of Fiji’s history and, consequently, what ever material benefits may have been gained by our countrymen in Fiji were offset by the loss of social tradition and cultural background, which is so essen tial to the life of any civilised com munity.”

Then he explained that out of a desire for education and cultural uplift, the Society was born. It got very little encouragement, at first —but Sir Arthur Richards, although only a little while in Fiji, recognised the good work the Society was doing and not only encour aged it in its work, but put through an amendment of the Education Ordinance, which permitted an Indian child to be educated in its mother tongue. The Society was very grateful to Sir Arthur Richards, and had placed a large port rait of him in the Nadi school, and Sir Harry Luke was invited to unveil it.

The Governor expressed his pleasure in being invited to undertake this duty; referred to the great past and fine tra ditions of Indian culture; promised that he would himself assist in every reason able way in advancing the cause of Indian education in Fiji; and undertook to write to Sir Arthur Richards and tell him of this interesting ceremony.