Indian Mission In

Fiji

A Formal Welcome

THE new Commissioner, who has been sent to Fiji by the Gov ernment of India to maintain contact with the Indian community in Fiji, Dr. N. V. Rajkumar, was formally welcomed in Suva on De cember 28 by the Indian Association of Fiji. He holds the degrees of MA, LLB, and PhD.

The vice-president of the Associa tion, Mr. A. I. N. Deoki (who was chairman) and the general secre tary, Mr. Shankar Fratap, and Messrs. Bakshis Singh, Bhukhan Jagjeevan and Hari Charan de livered formal speeches of welcome.

Dr. Rajkumar. addressing the gathering, described the remarkable progress made by India since she attained independence 61 years ago; and he then made the following references to conditions in Fiji; “This is not the occasion to harp upon the difficulties you have here and on your needs and require ments. That, primarily, is a matter for the Government of Fiji and I am confident that the authorities here have your interests at heart and will do all that is possible to redress your grievances.

“A great majority of you are Fiji born and are British subjects. You have no interest or interests in India except in a cultural sense or by way of trade or business. Your future is tied up with the people of local origin: and let me tell you they are a fine people. In no field of activity do your interests con flict with theirs.

“All of us are Asians and we have a common way of life. Let us there fore help each other and work with each other—not for the sake of op posing any other group, not for the purpose of encouraging racial sep aration, but to strive unitedly with others for the establishment of human solidarity and world peace.

“The Indian Mission is here to help you in all ways open to it as a diplomatic centre and we expect your support and co-operation in the task we have undertaken. You are always welcome in our office.

“We shall be glad to render you any service or assistance we can and we hope you will avail your selves fully of the library and other cultural facilities that we have pro vided for you and hope to develop for you in future.”

Photograph at welcome In Suva to New Indian Commissioner. Mr. Shankar Pratap is speaking; and beside him, from right, are: Mrs. Deoki, Dr. Rajkumar, Mr. Deoki and Mrs. Rajkumar.