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LOST IN EXPRESSION: Aiyaz Khaiyum trumps Biman Prasad in FBC's Aaina debate - reinforces why "Fiji Hindi" must be the language of political discourse - Prasad's decision to speak in "Indian Hindi" leaves many scrambling for Hindi Dictionary

7/8/2014

21 Comments

 
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: VICTOR LAL writing in the Fiji Sun during the 2006 general election campaign:
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Fiji Hindi baat bolo, Indo-Fijian politicians!

You are not contesting election to Indian Parliament

By VICTOR LAL

ONE of the most ridiculous and nauseating features of the election campaign is the language usage of Indo-Fijian candidates on the election trail: a pseudo pompous and counterfeit Hindi, as if they are contesting for power in India and not in Fiji.

Several potential voters wrote to me complaining that instead of speaking in the everyday Fiji Hindi to them, the candidates have been making speeches in Shudh (Standard/Correct) Hindi, a language a vast majority of the Indo-Fijian voters hardly understand.

A similar spectacle has been displayed during Question Time and Talk Back programmes on Fiji TV. I decided to watch the appearance of Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi of the Fiji Labour Party, Bimal Prasad of the National Federation Party, Shiu Ram of COIN Party and Dildar Shah of the National Alliance Party on these two programmes.

Again, a pathetic reoccurring pattern, as if Vayeshnoi, who is contesting the Nadroga Indian Communal seat, was reading a script out of the Hindu holy book, the Bhagavad Gita. When, all he was trying to do, was to explain his party’s manifesto (for which there is no Fiji Hindi word).

The other three were equally guilty, and at times I felt sorry for Shiu Ram, who even resorted to English to make his point, instead of opting to speak the language of the Indo-Fijian masses, and over 30 per cent of taukei Fijians – Fiji Hindi.

What is wrong with speaking Fiji Hindi? Are they ashamed of the language of their coolie forefathers? Why are these Indo-Fijian candidates contesting the Indian communal seats when they are by commission or omission, speaking to the voters in the language of ‘Mother India’.

For God’s sake, even Indian candidates, despite belonging to different political parties, speak in the 700 different dialects and languages to their prospective voters in India. A regional aspiring candidate in Madras will be speaking in Madrassi, and even the Communist candidate in Bengal will be pouting his Maoist and Stalinist propaganda in Bengali. The Italian-born Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the Congress Party, also speaks in a Hindi language which is understood by the vast majority of the voters.

More importantly, the candidates in Bihar would be speaking in Bhojpuri or Awadhi, from which the corrupt version of Fiji Hindi has originated in our country. So why can not our own aspiring Indo-Fijian politicians speak the language of their people?.

As Nemani Bainivalu, a University of the South Pacific Hindi graduate, and later a cultural assistant with the National Reconciliation Unit, had once pointed out, only 20 percent of Indo-Fijians can read and write their formal language.

Many Indo-Fijians cannot even read their holy books written in the Khadee Bolee dialect, and pass on religious teachings by word. I am not suggesting that Sudh Hindi be replaced in our education system, or that everyone should be writing novels like Dauka Puran by Professor Subramani of the Department of Literature and Language at the USP.

What I am protesting against is the gibberish Shudh Hindi that is being shoved down the throats of Indo-Fijian voters who are struggling to ‘swallow’ the words. The election message and manifestoes of the political parties would be better understood if the Indo-Fijian candidates resorted to the conversational Fiji Hindi at the hustings. It will also help bring the taukei Fijians into the campaign, especially the 30 per cent who speak the language, and many others who have a smattering command of it.

It must be made very clear to Indo-Fijian candidates that despite the teaching of Shudh Hindi and Urdu in schools, Fiji Hindi is an integral part of the identity and culture of the Indo-Fijian population. It is unique to Indo-Fijians in the world. The day Indo-Fijian politicians kill Fiji Hindi, they will be killing a part of their history and heritage in Fiji.

For no matter where one goes in the world, the moment one hears an Indo-Fijian open his mouth, one immediately asks him: ‘What part of Fiji are you from?’ In a similar vein, India Indians are able to separate us from them solely on the basis of our Fiji Hindi.

If the Indo-Fijian politicians and aspiring candidates are too ashamed to speak to us in the language of our coolie forefathers, they should pack their bags and their manifestoes and take the next Air India flight to India, and wait there for the next general election in that country to practice their Shudh Hindi. We don’t need Indian political impostors in Fiji.

Such candidates and Indo-Fijian leaders do not deserve our sympathy or votes
.

Long live FIJI HINDI.



21 Comments
Kai Viti
7/8/2014 04:01:25 am

Victor, the answer is very simple - for deep in their hearts these Indo-Fijian leaders never want to be part of Fiji for why else resort to Indian Hindi - SHAME ON THEM

I love Fiji Hindi and speak everyday with my Indo-Fijian brothers

Vinaka

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AiG calls himself kattu link
7/8/2014 04:48:58 am

I am appalled at the level of language that national media permits. While it may be ok to use Fiji Hindi for conversations during grog sessions, family talks, on streets, and in the fish market, would you use the same standard of conversational Fijian and English during formal events? Would you use conversational languages during funerals, weddings, in parliament (well how would AG know since he has never had no public audience before he joined the regime). Likewise, conversational language is fine all over the world for different purposes, not for places where formality and some etiquette is necessary. Using the level of absurd language AG used would shock normal people- not people with low standards like Veena.
I am shocked at the bias statements made on Biman' s language, at least he knew that his audience were from all works of life, from all background. He did not insult Muslims like AG did. I wonder how many Muslims teach their own sons that in Fiji Hindi they are called Kattu. Thanks for informing us. I am now feeling very worried as a Muslim mother what my young son will be called in school since if AG says using crude Fiji Hindi is fine, calling my son Kattu in school can go unpunished.

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Ok to be rude and unprofessional link
7/8/2014 05:11:28 am

It is ok to be rude, and disrupt one from speaking. But according to Victor, it's not okay to speak in formal language on radio. Instead of picking on Biman, check how many times was he stopped by Veena and AG. It's okay to chew your nails, scratch your face, pick your nose, make faces on TV, but not good to speak informal language . It's ok to talk bulshit, pack of lies and go witch hunting but not good to speak in formal language. It's ok to gang up on someone but not good to speak in formal language . Wake up.

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Anit Singh
7/8/2014 06:25:55 am

Keep strategy in mind when confronting Aiyaz / Bainimarama in their very own home-ground- FBC -(Bai/Kai funded and controlled).

Focus and be convinced in your mind that both Aiyaz and Bainimarama are CHORS and CHORS have no respect - Zilch.

The moment you think like that- You have control - because you are a better person. Remember, Chors have no respect.

In any interview the moment either of them mention the word FIJIFIRST - there - that is exactly what they have STOLEN - the evidence, the Name FijiFirst is not their name. It has been STOLEN by Aiyaz. Aiyaz is an Intellectual Property thief - and in Fiji-Hindi - a CHOR or a CHORWA and so is Bainimarama a CHOR.

So Strategy, think of them as CHORs and you will have power over them. You may even call them CHORS - well I do !

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OneWord
8/8/2014 12:30:31 am

Ditto!

Debate Listener
7/8/2014 05:13:04 am

It was a radio interview and there were two things that really irritated me - Bimal constantly interrupting Aiyaz Khaiyum and secondly speaking in Overseas Hindi which was not only hard to understand but we were not quick enough to grasp his second point - stop making excuses and bringing other uses - Aiyaz scored on points - in whichever way he chose to speak - for he spoke in English and Fiji Hindi - and that matters.

Radio interviews are different from TV where we might be able to get instant translations

I am now going to vote for FijiFirst - bye bye NFP!

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Bimal's Hindi
7/8/2014 04:18:05 pm

No school in Fijian school's have ever taught Fiji Hindi as a curriculum. Biman has spoken in formal Hindi that is taught in Fijian schools.

If you do not understand Fijian Hindi taught in Fijian schools, then how is that Bimal's fault?

The FBC interviewer also did not speak Fiji Hindi, but yet you have not condemned her Hindi of your lack of understanding.

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Debate Listener 07/08/2014 4:13am
7/8/2014 04:42:32 pm

stupid....

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Fiji First Party (Original not Imposters)
7/8/2014 05:40:28 am

A good debate! On issues of ‘common identity’ and we all being called – FIJIANS!

But perhaps what Biman was trying to say and the meaning got lost in his Labasa lingo was that no one minds being called FIJIANS – well better than being called Kai-India, Indians, Indo-Fijians, Fiji-Islander or whatever.

Now just to be called a FIJIAN is not good enough reason to ‘purportedly’ ABROGATE the 1997 Constitution. ‘Common Identity’ of being called FIJIANS could easily have been achieved through the provisions of the 1997 Constitution itself. No need for extra-constitutional measures. That is the BS part. That is, achieving a “common Identity” by treasonous means. That is a lame excuse Aiyaz.

What the politicians like Biman and others are having difficulty explaining is the fact of their participation in the Yash Ghai CRC and their submissions for change. That is the exact point of departure and of their compromise of some fundamental ‘constitutional’ principles.

What Biman now wants to say but cant is exactly what Fiji First Party wrote to Yash Ghai’s CRC :

“Fiji First Party reiterates its principled stand, believing in the sanctity of the 1997 Constitution - as a living document. We repeat our earlier recommendation that the Supreme Court of Fiji MUST rule on the validity of the ‘purported’ abrogation of the 1997 Constitution.

That is, before proceeding further with ‘unconstitutional’ actions of your Commission, which intends replacing the 1997 Constitution with a pretender Constitution – to be forced and imposed upon us - which will not represent the collective will of the people of Fiji - and would be brought about by people who lack legitimacy themselves - and have no mandate to do so either by vote and/or a referendum – except by shoving the barrel of the gun up the citizens’……!” [CRC Submission 5th October 2012].

FIJIAN or IndoFijian means nothing if one can’t RESPECT their CONSTITUTION- I mean the legal and living 1997 Constitution.

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Coolie Brother
7/8/2014 06:05:16 am

Sadly, many of Aiyaz and Victor's fight for the brithright of Indo-Fijians is in total sync - except Aiyaz is now in the driving seat to obtain what Victor and our Indo-Fijian patriots have been fighting for since the day our ancestors landed in Fiji in 1879

Lets keep issue in focus - Biman was on radio and by using high sounding words failed miserly to get his point across

We are commenting after watching the uploaded video with translations - how many of us actually heard the actual debate

Try not to look at the computer screen and just listen to the debate and you will see why Aiyaz was better at hammering his points - he might have been twitching his fingers etc but we are passing judgment on the debate after watching the video

Go FijiFirst Go!

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Debate Listener 07/08/2014 4:13am
7/8/2014 04:45:21 pm

you support coup......

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Fijileaks Editor
7/8/2014 04:51:50 pm

Fijileaks stands by its criticism of NFP leader Biman Prasad speaking mostly in a tongue which most can't associate with in day to day living.

Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was, as usual, a charming liar, but since he spoke in the language that is heard everyday in daily Indo-Fijian life, he was better of the two debaters.

His championing of Indo-Fijian rights was convincing and no party could better what he has given to them - minus the votes - for the last eight years.

Of course, some at the expense of native Fijians.

We must be prepared to call a spade a spade

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To Fijileaks Editor link
7/8/2014 08:30:38 pm

I agree that Biman’s style of speaking may have hurt those who find speaking in formal Hindi difficult. I agree that he did interrupt AG a bit too many times. I agree that he did speak in a longish manner but the point is what was the main point of the debate. Are we to judge just by the language used or the content? What one wants to hear is one who is polished and professional speaker with substance. AG was a polished speaker with flash but totally without any substance.
It seems you too are forgetting the main issue surrounding this debate which is part of the election. Supporting every act, every word, every statement made by this unelected AG, at a radio and tv station controlled by him, with a woman (who has since resigned and being given a Fiji First ticket for election), who have hoodwinked the whole country for the last 8 years, makes you a supporter of this undemocratic regime. It pains to see that people are happy to support short-term stunts by AG but not seeing beyond his charm and cunningness.
Do you have the guts to sit in front of the camera, in front of two cunning and pre mediated partners whose aim was to continuously ridicule, prevent and demoralise a political leader. If you don’t have that courage, don’t criticise anyone. If you can survive such an environment-which Biman did, you can become a politician anytime. If you can’t, stop supporting the regime that has from day 1 done the following:
• Controlled all forms of media and it seems controlling your blog too!
• Controlled all states of affairs in this country in order to fill their pockets, and those of their family and supporters
• Given a free entry to all who support them-business people, foreigners, people in positions in every section of the government and statutory bodies-not the ordinary people
Being critical of Biman is one thing-but saying that AG was speaking the language of the commoners is just not true. You are forgetting the fact that AG, using his charm never had concrete evidences for anything thing. The only things I could make out of his statements were that:
• He is a kattu
• He supports the regime
• Said that we should forget the coup
• Asked Biman (and Veena added to that) to clean the pigeon droppings at Lautoka Hospital
• Said that only lawyers understand the constitution-so all of us ordinary citizens should not worry about what is in it!
• Will table the Auditor General’s report when the timing is not ‘political’-why, what is there to hide (or is the report still being ‘tidied’
This blog side is becoming a joke too

Reply
What AG said on radio link
7/8/2014 08:40:53 pm

Is this why AG is said ordinary citizens shoudnt worry about the constituion on radio:
Fiji Constitution 2013 - Appointment of Prime Minister
Section 93 (7) The Prime Minister and other Ministers continue in office until the next Prime Minister assumes office after a general election in accordance with this section.

Are they planning to stay on and legitimise their dictatorship!

Reply
What AG didnt tell on radio link
7/8/2014 09:14:48 pm

Water Authority of Fiji has outraged many with its refusal to be accountable and it’s still doing it. Bainimarama promised people would not have to pay unfair water bills but once the propaganda had been spread far and wide nothing changed. One household of three people, two adults and a child, are being chased for a bill of $98 for a single month. The man who should now be chased to justify this is Khaiyum who sits over WAF as Minister for Public Enterprises, running everything. With the election on now he has nowhere to hide. He has questions to answer.

Fiji Times August 06, 2014 WAF refutes bill claims

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What AG didnt tell on Radio link
7/8/2014 09:16:01 pm

For the second time one of the regime’s political show trials has had the assessors reject the prosecution’s case only to have a regime appointed judge convict anyway. As in Mac Patel’s case this verdict was a foregone conclusion. The events happened 10 years ago and it took the regime seven years to stack up the evidence which did not satisfy the assessors. The judge said it could be “inferred” that Dakuidreketi’s actions were for personal gain but he did not point to any evidence that showed how he benefited.

Fiji Live August 06, 2014 Court overturns ruling, finds Dakuidreketi guilty

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SPIN -IT
8/8/2014 01:26:22 am

Don’t take criticisms too personally Biman. They are meant for your improvement.

This is real politico - with real scoundrels like Khaiyum / Bainimarama / and all their other rear-admirers –A shameless and Crafty lot.

As a Leader of a very ‘probable’ political party, you need to work on your ‘Appeal’ and ‘Delivery’ of your message. Why not – just for a change – as has been advised / requested /pleaded– try using more Fiji Hindi! Please! It might just work wonders!

It would make you feel at ‘home’, normal and natural – and very unlike your present ‘Shakti Kapoor’ - put-on persona. Be Real. Be Yourself – Be a WINNER!

And in Fiji Hindi people like Bainimarama and Aiyaz are called nothing - but CHORS.

Be Brave! We all LOVE Courageous Leaders. Start by calling a CHOR ...a CHOR – and just see how NFP’s rating will Sky Rocket.

Now Try more loudly, this time … Aiyaz CHOR …. Bainimarama CHOR …

GOOD!

Reply
josh
22/11/2014 03:33:27 pm

Biman as always interupting n straying off the topic....did he pass his english ......

Reply
Bias interviewer
8/8/2014 03:52:25 am

Indeed the interviewer went on to interrupt Biman for his messages were too long.

BUT what do you expect when you are trying to talk about 5 full years of incompetent Bai/Kai regime and 2 years of vote buying budgets?

5 FULL years of pot holes = one term of govt. Aiyaz claims past govt's had it wrong and so did he for 5 long years of potholes and losses he blamed previous govt's for.

What a liar and Biman had too many issues to highlight as of Aiyaz's incompetent 7 years but the interviewer wanted brief answers from Biman so to support Aiyaz's pack of lies.

BUT with Qarase claiming racist remarks ... he has added my vote to Khaiyum [had I been registered] despite I hate dictatorship!!!

Reply
Mohammed Musharraf Tauqeer
11/8/2014 05:15:28 am

I attended NFP meeting on 26 /7 /14 at Vunisamaloa, Ba. Mr. Sunil was conducting the meeting.
Every sugarcane farmer will get $85.00 per tonne. No quality payments. He has problems with student loan scheme. he also said that students being forced into a particular field in which they don't have interest.
My question to him was:
1. If my grandfather can produce quality cane and quality sugar why you want to pay him less. He had no answer.
2. why NFP wants the retirement age to be 60. if this happens for five years there will not be an opportunity for the new grandaunts to get jobs, so they migrate. after five years there may be unqualified people holding on high positions.
-the answer they gave me was they will create new industries.
3. if a particular person wants to go in particular field how will you create employment for them.
-he did not give me an answer and went to another topic.

Reply
So what do say about Veena now link
16/8/2014 01:45:25 am

So much about the Fiji-Hindi propoganda. It has been revealed that Veena and Aiyaaz were trained for 1 week on how to talk with Biman. They used all tactics in the book- afterall they were criminals in the act. She had by then already shown interest to be in FF, resigned and applied for FF ticket. All should stop watching FBC and stop buying Fiji Sun. What a pair trying to corner the tiger-well they are now tongue-tied.THE TRUTH IS OUT

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