FIJI
BLOG 2
My
second day in Fiji began with an interview with Jyothi Pratibha Devi of the
‘Fiji Sun’, a leading Fiji newspaper next only to ‘Fiji Times’. A graduate of
the Hindu College in Delhi, Jyothi appeared well aware of Fiji-India relations
and the events of 1987 to 1989, though she was only two years old at that time.
Jyothi
asked me questions about the circumstances of my departure and how I felt then
and how I felt now on my arrival here. The basic point I made was that I left
essentially because of a technical reason. It was untenable for a High
Commissioner to continue when his country did not recognize the Government of
the host country. What was surprising was that I was able to stay for two years
in that dubious situation. This was possible because of the mutuality of
interests of Fiji and India to remain engaged, given India’s interest in the
people of Indian origin here. When I was invited to leave, it came as no
surprise.
About
the changes in the last 25 years, I said that things were moving in the right
direction and the elections in September this year might usher in a new era of
multiculturalism and Fiji would once again be “the world as it should be.” On
Indian assistance to Fiji, I said that India would respond to Fiji’s needs to
the extent possible, within its own capabilities. The relationship, I said, was
robust. India had always desired peace and prosperity for all the people of
Fiji.
Asked
whether I would come again, I said that I wished the distance was shorter and
the airfares were cheaper. There was no other constraint about visiting Fiji.
Pradeep
and Damend accompanied me to Suva on the old picturesque Queen Road, spotted
with resorts of various kinds on the seaside. Many more resorts have come up,
but no tall buildings have been built. We stopped for a pizza at the Warwick
Resort, which was the Hyatt Regency Resort 25 years ago.
I
could hardly recognize Suva, the capital, when I drove in. The skyline has
changed with the construction of many tall buildings. YP Reddy’s Tanoa Plaza
stands at the centre of the city and I could see the port once again as we
could see it from the top of the India House.
The
Fiji Times correspondent was waiting for me when we arrived at the hotel. The
interview was on the same lines as the Sun interview. The only added question
he asked was whether I would like to meet the coup leader of 1987, Sitiveni
Rabuka. I said I had nothing against meeting him, as I had no ill will. India’s
wish was only to see Fiji flourish as a multicultural nation with equal rights
for all its citizens, I said.
A
nostalgic visit to the India House in Suva, which was our home for more than
three years, took place today. The India House is the same as before, except
that it has been remodeled. The children of the High Commissioner are using the
tennis court I built as a basketball court for the present. Several old
friends, the two Indian Ministers in the Cabinet and the Foreign Secretary
attended the dinner by the High Commissioner. The conversation was essentially
about the forthcoming elections and the future of Fiji.
Sitiveni
Rabuka, the coup leader of 1987 invited me to play golf with him tomorrow. I
accepted, but we could not find a mutually convenient time. He might drop by
for coffee, he said. The press here is much excited by our meeting after 25
years, but the ice is broken since both of us agreed to meet.
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