Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde (photo, Fiji Village) is now also the Permanent Secretary for Justice, Anti-Corruption and Electoral Reform, as Lt Col Pio Tikoduadua becomes the new PS at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Diwali message to its 200,000 members from Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha leader Pundit Dewan Maharaj was "work together and move the nation forward."
A new Hindu organization Akhil Shree Sanatan Dharam Brahman Purohit Sabha takes what blog Loyal Fiijan calls "a giant step backwards" in seeking to re-establish the caste system in Fiji and restore Brahmin caste duties. For once I agree with Loyal Fijian although I do not see Hindus flocking to churches and mosques as a consequence. The move is every bit as bad as Christian and Muslim fundamentalism. See also the report in The Fiji Times.
Drought-stricken Australian farmers could soon be growing rice in Fiji. Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.
Bainimarama's reception by the World Bank and IMF has been differently reported. Government says both have offered support for infrastructural development; Fiji Village reports a more cautious reception.
Three former Native Lands Trust Board executives appeared in court on Tuesday charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with fraud totalling over $3.7 million. Also see Fiji Live.
The Star Princess with 2,300 passengers is Fiji's second cruise ship arrival this week. The Tourism Ministry, which expects 25 cruise ships with about 70,000 tourists this year, has been encouraging village eco-tourism projects near Suva for tourists, including the Molituva Tribal Village at Kuku in Nausori.
9 comments:
In Vitivou it should be expected that anyone charged with corruption and bailed pending trial would step aside if the alleged offence and the current position of employment have any connection to the use of public money. Especially if remuneration is from public money or derived from taxpayers' sourced funding (either within Fiji or from overseas).
Is this going to happen? We wait to see that it does. It is suggested that reinstatement should only take place if the persons charged with corruption or abuse of office are found 'not guilty'. This would be to restore public confidence in any institution where such persons are working and have held office. The comments made by the Chair of the Fiji Rugby Union would appear to be inconsistent with this practice?
Two quick comments: first, as you have stated in an earlier piece, PER is an imposition. It reflects an unreasonable level of insecurity by the powers that be in the country –and the nature of the military backed dictatorship. Second, Pryde, a Kiwi represents the irony of ‘smart sanctions’ –Kiwis, Brits, Aussies etc can take up government positions with no penalties –but Fiji citizens will be placed on a travel ban! The ‘smart sanctions’ extend to membership of USP Council. Ikbal Janiff’s membership was renewed by the post-coup regime and he is banned from traveling to Aotearoa! Sada Reddy has had his PR status revoked –these are examples of gross discrimination, and even racism.
Friend
Regarding the new Brahmin group: It is regrettable that a group of Vanua Levu based Sanatan fundamentalists have emerged to re-introduce elements of a caste system that has largely disappeared in the country. While in the orthodox Hindu religious practice that has been a quiet acceptance that those professing as priests might be Brahmin, there has not been an attempt to ascertain their breeding (or Brahmin pedigree). With the crossing of the 'kala pani' and the
gross violation of virtually all case taboos, the caste system thankfully
largely disappeared in Fiji. This liberated generations of the Fiji born.
I must say that I have very little time for those who use the accident of
their birth into a family and/or status group to claim rights above others.
This initiative emerging within the Sanatani fold is totally abhorrent!
While I have your attention, I recommend that you read, Arvind Adiga's, "The White Tiger", Booker price winning novel!
Mr Rajneshwar Prasad (FT15/10) has made an excellent citation from the Padma Purana. This should really clear all doubts. In this age of Kalyuga (age of sin and ignorance), nobody is a born Brahmin as such. Instead, we are all classified as Shudras (the lowest caste). According to Srila Prabhupada (Bona Fide Spiritual Master/Guru in the science of Krsna Consciousness), even a white man or a Chinese or anybody can earn the status of a Brahmin provided he is a Vaishnava. When Srila Prabhupada awarded brahmincal initiation to his Western disciples, he did so on the basis of their advancement in knowledge, character, virtues and of course, very importantly, MATERIAL DETACHMENT. NOT, I repeat, NOT on the basis of their birth. It is true that only a Brahmin should be entitled to conduct prayers but can Ashok Maharaj define what a Brahmin is?
As quoted in the Padma Purana, "A scholarly brahmana, expert in all subjects of Vedic knowledge, is unfit to become a spiritual master without being a Vaisnava, or expert in the science of Krishna consciousness. But a person born in a family of a lower caste can become a spiritual master if he is a Vaisnava". (Padma Purana)
Loyal Fijian is not an anti Government blog site - if you look at the history of the postings it has been impartial. It does disagree with the PER that is in place at the moment.
i agree with snoopy - can you pls correct your assertion that Loyal Fijian is anti Governement - if you look at their posting they have been neutral - articles condeming the looney anti government bloggers
My apologies to LoyalFijian and its alert, loyal readers. This truly was an oversight. I've updated the link in Up-to-date Blogs. I don't think the other one was working.
The Commodore's comments after the recent World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Istanbul show leave me wondering if he simply does not understand how these institutions work or is deliberately using the media to spread disinformation. Good on Radio New Zealand for going to the source (the World Bank Sydney office) to verify the situation. It's a shame that the compliant Fiji media was not prepared to do likewise.
The Commodore has learnt the trick of dissembling from the SVT politicians who now surround him. Did you see him at the UN General Assembly?
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