"Its a pleasure to be invited by VHP. I was actually very happy when I received the invitation because these days, and probably for the first time in Fiji's history, there is a reluctance on the part of organizations to invite Opposition figures like us to speak. So whenever I get an invitation to speak, I don't miss that opportunity. But I want to especially thank
Mr Jay Dayal for his invitation today."
Professor Biman Prasad
https://www.facebook.com/Biman-Prasad-1384487778458529/
" In the old days, one's word was your bond. If you had an agreement to buy or exchange something, we shake hands, exchange goods or services or money, and the deal was sealed. There was an important element of trust that when you walked away after shaking hands, each person would make good on that agreement. That same currency of your word and the trust that you place on someone based on their word, holds true today. If pledges are made to you as a voter in good faith, it is your explicit right to expect those promises to happen. The current Government is coming thick and fast at the 11th hour with carrots and lollies, why would you reward deception with further trust? Allow me now to inject some cold hard truths into this room. While you are here to deliberate on many different issues pertinent to your development and hopefully accelerated growth as young people, there is a 13 year old boy urgently seeking a kidney donation at the hospital. A 50 year old mother died in the Lautoka Hospital early last week after being allegedly overdosed with morphine. The poor and ordinary citizens of our nation have been paying VAT on basic food items after it was re-imposed by this Government contrary to its promise three years ago not to do so. The majority of our people are being hit from all sides with a crippling cost of living leading to unhealthy but cheap food choices and ill-health. The health and education systems are falling apart -- is this what you deserve as a taxpayer? These are just a few of the many fundamental issues affecting the people, particularly our youth." - Professor Biman Prasad to Fiji National Hindu Youth Conference
"The Philosophy of Hinduism is one of inclusivity, secularism and universality. The Universal good is what is the dharma of every Hindu and I guess for every human being. In the Hindu epic, Mahabarata, it is stated that vigilance is the main attribute of good governance. In the epic Ramayan, we look for real examples of leadership and good governance. Many of you young people can derive the virtues of order, loyalty, compassion, discipline, duty, deferred gratification and respect from these two great Hindu scriptures."
“THE POWER OF THE YOUNG IN OUR SOCIETY”
ADDRESS BY NFP LEADER PROFESSOR BIMAN PRASAD
VHP CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017
Friends, today in looking around the room I am pleased to see a number of young people in the room. I also note the presence of parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents -- the thoughts that I share with you today are for you too, as cause perhaps for reflection and further discussion.
What I have chosen to speak on today, is on you, our youth and the issue of governance. It is not my intention to lecture or finger-wag our young people, but rather to challenge you to be better. To surpass the levels of governance that you see all around you today -- whether that is at school, at work, in your community groups and even at the national leadership level.
The Philosophy of Hinduism is one of inclusivity, secularism and universality. The Universal good is what is the dharma of every Hindu and I guess for every human being. In the Hindu epic, Mahabarata, it is stated that vigilance is the main attribute of good governance. In the epic Ramayan, we look for real examples of leadership and good governance. Many of you young people can derive the virtues of order, loyalty, compassion, discipline, duty, deferred gratification and respect from these two great Hindu scriptures.
We often talk about the strength of our young people. But even I as a Party Leader have had to re-orient much of my leanings and adjust to what it means to let our young people lead -- or at the very least, feel comfortable enough to tell me what they think very frankly. Thankfully my experience as a teacher and university professor has held me in very good stead. It is much too easy to talk about the strength of our young, but actually much harder to harness that energy towards an outcome or a compromise that heeds your concerns.
That said, please do not confuse my thoughts as an excuse to hold back. On the contrary!!Keep stepping forward. Keep asking critical questions - especially the hard ones. Keep demanding accountability for the decisions made in your name. That too is not an excuse for arrogant demands but is more of a challenge to you, to make fully informed comments politely -- in honour of the values you were instilled with from birth -- but very firmly all the same.
Let me also press you to discipline yourselves to differentiate the truth from lies – just like the knowledge that you should pursue as students from your teachers. Start distilling the big words against the realities that you see and feel everyday. Allow your minds to rule over emotional blackmail.
In the arena of politics and Parliament where you will see many debates on issue of national interest and laws taking place, it is the arena for the contest of ideas. "No one has a monopoly over good ideas" -- these are the words of one of my many mentors who has since passed on -- that I had the privilege to work under, namely Mr Savenaca Siwatibau, when he was the Vice Chancellor at the University of the South Pacific, and I was Head of Economics.
In that arena of Parliament, the contest of ideas is played out and the referee who is charged with keeping this contest rigorous yet civil, is our Speaker. Let me just take a quick poll around the room today -- raise your hands if you have ever gone to Parliament just to watch the proceedings? Raise your hands, if you at least watch the parliamentary proceedings on television or livestream?
Young people, allow me to gently remind you: the people you put in Parliament through your vote should represent your concerns. They should act on your behalf and actively promote what is in your best interest because that must be the least of your expectations as someone who promoted them from an ordinary citizen, to an Honourable Member of the highest court of the land which is Parliament. But is that happening? Let me urge you not to allow yourselves to be fooled by self-centred leaders who promise us chaand ka tukrah or a piece of the moon.
In the old days, one's word was your bond. If you had an agreement to buy or exchange something, we shake hands, exchange goods or services or money, and the deal was sealed. There was an important element of trust that when you walked away after shaking hands, each person would make good on that agreement. That same currency of your word and the trust that you place on someone based on their word, holds true today. If pledges are made to you as a voter in good faith, it is your explicit right to expect those promises to happen. The current Government is coming thick and fast at the 11th hour with carrots and lollies, why would you reward deception with further trust?
Allow me now to inject some cold hard truths into this room. While you are here to deliberate on many different issues pertinent to your development and hopefully accelerated growth as young people, there is a 13 year old boy urgently seeking a kidney donation at the hospital. A 50 year old mother died in the Lautoka Hospital early last week after being allegedly overdosed with morphine.
The poor and ordinary citizens of our nation have been paying VAT on basic food items after it was re-imposed by this Government contrary to its promise three years ago not to do so.
The majority of our people are being hit from all sides with a crippling cost of living leading to unhealthy but cheap food choices and ill-health. The health and education systems are falling apart -- is this what you deserve as a taxpayer?
These are just a few of the many fundamental issues affecting the people, particularly our youth.
Then there is a son of Fiji and highly acclaimed academic and historian, Professor Brij Lal and his wife Dr Padma Narsey Lal who have been unjustly exiled and denied entry back into the country of his forefathers to at least launch his recent publication.
As a party, we have repeatedly urged Government to lift the ban on both of them. But Government claims they are a threat to our national security.
How can an historian who true to his profession champions democracy and speaks out against military coups and together with his wife who has done commendable work in collating data on or sugar industry and suggesting solutions as well as working as a consultant for IUCN, engaged in mangrove conservation and planting be a threat to our security and overcome our well-equipped military and a police force led by a senior military officer? The mind boggles.
Professor Lal has contributed to this nation in no small measure. One example is his role as one of the three Commissioners whose report commonly known as the Reeves Report led to the formulation of the highly acclaimed 1997 Constitution that was abrogated by the leaders of the current government in April 2009 while they were unelected and installed into power at the barrel of the gun.
I believe that as responsible citizens, we should be at least concerned about what is going around us, for failure to do so will be at our own peril and might I add, a bleak future for our children and grandchildren.
Believe me when I say what is happening in the political arena these days is prolonging and escalating our pain and misery.
We may all appear to be joyous and happy but are we really genuinely so?
The painful reality is that we do not know what the future holds for us as we wake up each morning. Each day is like buying time but it is also escalating or misery and suffering. We all may appear to be full of joy and happiness but are we genuinely happy?
Are we certain about what the future holds for us and our children? Are we sure that tomorrow’s sunrise will bring us a brighter day full of hope and not doom and gloom?
Unfortunately, the answer to the above questions is – NO WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR US AS A COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY.
I believe the time has come for all of us to stand up and be counted. We should no longer allow ourselves to be fooled by anyone who makes false promises and gives us pie-in-the-sky ideas to resolve our problems.
For example, if I promise you something, you have the right to ask me how the promise will be fulfilled. The same goes for others, whether they are social, cultural or political leaders.
We must start learning to differentiate the truth from lies – just like the knowledge that the students get from the teachers. We have to start to compare issues with reality, to make informed decisions with a clear frame of mind instead of letting emotions dictate your conscience.
This is the greatest challenge facing all of us today and together we have to overcome this challenge for the sake of our children and future generations.
And this is where or youth should be concerned with governance because it is their future that is being determined by policies enforced through Decrees and Promulgations or since October 2014, passed in Parliament.
Let me challenge you again as young people privileged with education -- you have a moral and more importantly a spiritual duty to care for your fellow men, women and children. The very important discussions that you will have today, the presenters who will grace your presence, must be centred with that frame in mind. The greater good of those not so privileged needs a contest of idea's that often will not be in the confines of this room. An enlarged and more diverse collection of idea's and hearts is the way forward -- we cannot grow as a People of Fiji, if the levels of development and growth are disjointed and non-uniform.
You may have noticed in the Budget that was just passed that there was an appearance of it being people-centred.
Yes, increasing the tax threshold from $16,000 to $30,000 is positive but those already on the $16,000 tax threshold from the last year’s budget, are still reeling from the high cost of living but what they can be thankful for is reductions in costs to readymade towels and baby wipes. Do these things fill stomachs?
Fiji today needs leaders who are bold, honest with the ability and credibility to tackle our many problems. We need men and women who can provide sound and sensible leadership, but these people are not plucked out of thin air. They are grown and nurtured in groups like this. Let me further encourage you to have a political view and defend it in your own contest of ideas.
The task for securing for all of us a peaceful, stable and prosperous future lies on the shoulders of you too as young leaders. Let me strongly urge you to stand up and be counted.
Young people, in closing. I know that you know what is happening around you. The governance issues that you see daily are not how leaders should behave. When you raise your hand up to lead, you must be aware that the level of scrutiny around you will be heightened.
You sacrifice yourself to even the micro levels of scrutiny in the way you do things because you are accountable to those who put you into power. Be about ideas and effecting change for the betterment of others. Harness your power and energy here as a collective for the next 2 days and let that spill-over outwards to enlarge your circle and your quest for better.
Arm yourselves with truth and justice and care for those who are disadvantaged -- you do not have to be taught that. It is inherent in you as a human being, nurtured by the values in our families and strengthened by your spiritual guidance.
I thank you and wish you well in your deliberations.
ADDRESS BY NFP LEADER PROFESSOR BIMAN PRASAD
VHP CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017
Friends, today in looking around the room I am pleased to see a number of young people in the room. I also note the presence of parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents -- the thoughts that I share with you today are for you too, as cause perhaps for reflection and further discussion.
What I have chosen to speak on today, is on you, our youth and the issue of governance. It is not my intention to lecture or finger-wag our young people, but rather to challenge you to be better. To surpass the levels of governance that you see all around you today -- whether that is at school, at work, in your community groups and even at the national leadership level.
The Philosophy of Hinduism is one of inclusivity, secularism and universality. The Universal good is what is the dharma of every Hindu and I guess for every human being. In the Hindu epic, Mahabarata, it is stated that vigilance is the main attribute of good governance. In the epic Ramayan, we look for real examples of leadership and good governance. Many of you young people can derive the virtues of order, loyalty, compassion, discipline, duty, deferred gratification and respect from these two great Hindu scriptures.
We often talk about the strength of our young people. But even I as a Party Leader have had to re-orient much of my leanings and adjust to what it means to let our young people lead -- or at the very least, feel comfortable enough to tell me what they think very frankly. Thankfully my experience as a teacher and university professor has held me in very good stead. It is much too easy to talk about the strength of our young, but actually much harder to harness that energy towards an outcome or a compromise that heeds your concerns.
That said, please do not confuse my thoughts as an excuse to hold back. On the contrary!!Keep stepping forward. Keep asking critical questions - especially the hard ones. Keep demanding accountability for the decisions made in your name. That too is not an excuse for arrogant demands but is more of a challenge to you, to make fully informed comments politely -- in honour of the values you were instilled with from birth -- but very firmly all the same.
Let me also press you to discipline yourselves to differentiate the truth from lies – just like the knowledge that you should pursue as students from your teachers. Start distilling the big words against the realities that you see and feel everyday. Allow your minds to rule over emotional blackmail.
In the arena of politics and Parliament where you will see many debates on issue of national interest and laws taking place, it is the arena for the contest of ideas. "No one has a monopoly over good ideas" -- these are the words of one of my many mentors who has since passed on -- that I had the privilege to work under, namely Mr Savenaca Siwatibau, when he was the Vice Chancellor at the University of the South Pacific, and I was Head of Economics.
In that arena of Parliament, the contest of ideas is played out and the referee who is charged with keeping this contest rigorous yet civil, is our Speaker. Let me just take a quick poll around the room today -- raise your hands if you have ever gone to Parliament just to watch the proceedings? Raise your hands, if you at least watch the parliamentary proceedings on television or livestream?
Young people, allow me to gently remind you: the people you put in Parliament through your vote should represent your concerns. They should act on your behalf and actively promote what is in your best interest because that must be the least of your expectations as someone who promoted them from an ordinary citizen, to an Honourable Member of the highest court of the land which is Parliament. But is that happening? Let me urge you not to allow yourselves to be fooled by self-centred leaders who promise us chaand ka tukrah or a piece of the moon.
In the old days, one's word was your bond. If you had an agreement to buy or exchange something, we shake hands, exchange goods or services or money, and the deal was sealed. There was an important element of trust that when you walked away after shaking hands, each person would make good on that agreement. That same currency of your word and the trust that you place on someone based on their word, holds true today. If pledges are made to you as a voter in good faith, it is your explicit right to expect those promises to happen. The current Government is coming thick and fast at the 11th hour with carrots and lollies, why would you reward deception with further trust?
Allow me now to inject some cold hard truths into this room. While you are here to deliberate on many different issues pertinent to your development and hopefully accelerated growth as young people, there is a 13 year old boy urgently seeking a kidney donation at the hospital. A 50 year old mother died in the Lautoka Hospital early last week after being allegedly overdosed with morphine.
The poor and ordinary citizens of our nation have been paying VAT on basic food items after it was re-imposed by this Government contrary to its promise three years ago not to do so.
The majority of our people are being hit from all sides with a crippling cost of living leading to unhealthy but cheap food choices and ill-health. The health and education systems are falling apart -- is this what you deserve as a taxpayer?
These are just a few of the many fundamental issues affecting the people, particularly our youth.
Then there is a son of Fiji and highly acclaimed academic and historian, Professor Brij Lal and his wife Dr Padma Narsey Lal who have been unjustly exiled and denied entry back into the country of his forefathers to at least launch his recent publication.
As a party, we have repeatedly urged Government to lift the ban on both of them. But Government claims they are a threat to our national security.
How can an historian who true to his profession champions democracy and speaks out against military coups and together with his wife who has done commendable work in collating data on or sugar industry and suggesting solutions as well as working as a consultant for IUCN, engaged in mangrove conservation and planting be a threat to our security and overcome our well-equipped military and a police force led by a senior military officer? The mind boggles.
Professor Lal has contributed to this nation in no small measure. One example is his role as one of the three Commissioners whose report commonly known as the Reeves Report led to the formulation of the highly acclaimed 1997 Constitution that was abrogated by the leaders of the current government in April 2009 while they were unelected and installed into power at the barrel of the gun.
I believe that as responsible citizens, we should be at least concerned about what is going around us, for failure to do so will be at our own peril and might I add, a bleak future for our children and grandchildren.
Believe me when I say what is happening in the political arena these days is prolonging and escalating our pain and misery.
We may all appear to be joyous and happy but are we really genuinely so?
The painful reality is that we do not know what the future holds for us as we wake up each morning. Each day is like buying time but it is also escalating or misery and suffering. We all may appear to be full of joy and happiness but are we genuinely happy?
Are we certain about what the future holds for us and our children? Are we sure that tomorrow’s sunrise will bring us a brighter day full of hope and not doom and gloom?
Unfortunately, the answer to the above questions is – NO WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR US AS A COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY.
I believe the time has come for all of us to stand up and be counted. We should no longer allow ourselves to be fooled by anyone who makes false promises and gives us pie-in-the-sky ideas to resolve our problems.
For example, if I promise you something, you have the right to ask me how the promise will be fulfilled. The same goes for others, whether they are social, cultural or political leaders.
We must start learning to differentiate the truth from lies – just like the knowledge that the students get from the teachers. We have to start to compare issues with reality, to make informed decisions with a clear frame of mind instead of letting emotions dictate your conscience.
This is the greatest challenge facing all of us today and together we have to overcome this challenge for the sake of our children and future generations.
And this is where or youth should be concerned with governance because it is their future that is being determined by policies enforced through Decrees and Promulgations or since October 2014, passed in Parliament.
Let me challenge you again as young people privileged with education -- you have a moral and more importantly a spiritual duty to care for your fellow men, women and children. The very important discussions that you will have today, the presenters who will grace your presence, must be centred with that frame in mind. The greater good of those not so privileged needs a contest of idea's that often will not be in the confines of this room. An enlarged and more diverse collection of idea's and hearts is the way forward -- we cannot grow as a People of Fiji, if the levels of development and growth are disjointed and non-uniform.
You may have noticed in the Budget that was just passed that there was an appearance of it being people-centred.
Yes, increasing the tax threshold from $16,000 to $30,000 is positive but those already on the $16,000 tax threshold from the last year’s budget, are still reeling from the high cost of living but what they can be thankful for is reductions in costs to readymade towels and baby wipes. Do these things fill stomachs?
Fiji today needs leaders who are bold, honest with the ability and credibility to tackle our many problems. We need men and women who can provide sound and sensible leadership, but these people are not plucked out of thin air. They are grown and nurtured in groups like this. Let me further encourage you to have a political view and defend it in your own contest of ideas.
The task for securing for all of us a peaceful, stable and prosperous future lies on the shoulders of you too as young leaders. Let me strongly urge you to stand up and be counted.
Young people, in closing. I know that you know what is happening around you. The governance issues that you see daily are not how leaders should behave. When you raise your hand up to lead, you must be aware that the level of scrutiny around you will be heightened.
You sacrifice yourself to even the micro levels of scrutiny in the way you do things because you are accountable to those who put you into power. Be about ideas and effecting change for the betterment of others. Harness your power and energy here as a collective for the next 2 days and let that spill-over outwards to enlarge your circle and your quest for better.
Arm yourselves with truth and justice and care for those who are disadvantaged -- you do not have to be taught that. It is inherent in you as a human being, nurtured by the values in our families and strengthened by your spiritual guidance.
I thank you and wish you well in your deliberations.
"Then there is a son of Fiji and highly acclaimed academic and historian, Professor Brij Lal and his wife Dr Padma Narsey Lal who have been unjustly exiled and denied entry back into the country of his forefathers to at least launch his recent publication. As a party, we have repeatedly urged Government to lift the ban on both of them. But Government claims they are a threat to our national security. How can an historian who true to his profession champions democracy and speaks out against military coups and together with his wife who has done commendable work in collating data on or sugar industry and suggesting solutions as well as working as a consultant for IUCN, engaged in mangrove conservation and planting be a threat to our security and overcome our well-equipped military and a police force led by a senior military officer? The mind boggles. Professor Lal has contributed to this nation in no small measure. One example is his role as one of the three Commissioners whose report commonly known as the Reeves Report led to the formulation of the highly acclaimed 1997 Constitution that was abrogated by the leaders of the current government in April 2009 while they were unelected and installed into power at the barrel of the gun. I believe that as responsible citizens, we should be at least concerned about what is going around us, for failure to do so will be at our own peril and might I add, a bleak future for our children and grandchildren. Believe me when I say what is happening in the political arena these days is prolonging and escalating our pain and misery. " NFP leader to Fiji National Hindu Youth Conference
 |  "I believe that as responsible citizens, we should be at least concerned about what is going around us, for failure to do so will be at our own peril and might I add, a bleak future for our children and grandchildren. Believe me when I say what is happening in the political arena these days is prolonging and escalating our pain and misery." |
"We should not discriminate against any of our fellow Fijians" Bainimarama while speaking at the fundraiser for the redevelopment of the Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Rewa Branch; this weekend the NFP leader Biman Prasad had told a VHP (Fiji) National Hindu Youth Conference that "The Philosophy of Hinduism is one of
inclusivity, secularism and universality"
From Fijivillage News, 6 August 2017
As Fijians we should not discriminate against any of our fellow Fijians on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, race, province or social status.
This was stressed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the fundraiser for the redevelopment of the Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Rewa Branch.
Bainimarama says he believes that every Fijian regardless of our background, our beliefs, our status, where we live deserves an equal role in the progress of our nation and an equal share in the prosperity we bring to our shores.
He says we should all work together so that we appoint the best people irrespective of their background to deliver the best service to our people.
Seek% buffered00:00Current time00:58VolumeBainimarama stressed that this is why the government appoints people to positions whether as Ministers, CEO, board members or civil servants on merit.
He adds when we appoint people on merit, we will get the job done well and we will also ensure that all Fijians get the best outcome.
The Prime Minister also said that he had admiration and appreciation for the Sanatan community in Fiji saying any young person in Fiji who has attended a Sanatan educational institution or spent time within their community knows full well that their contributions to Fiji have made our nation a better place to call home.
The development plans for the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Rewa Branch include a new temple, multipurpose hall, and Ashram.
It will also be constructing a museum that will tell the stories and the history of the Girmitya in Fiji.
As Fijians we should not discriminate against any of our fellow Fijians on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, race, province or social status.
This was stressed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the fundraiser for the redevelopment of the Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Rewa Branch.
Bainimarama says he believes that every Fijian regardless of our background, our beliefs, our status, where we live deserves an equal role in the progress of our nation and an equal share in the prosperity we bring to our shores.
He says we should all work together so that we appoint the best people irrespective of their background to deliver the best service to our people.
Seek% buffered00:00Current time00:58VolumeBainimarama stressed that this is why the government appoints people to positions whether as Ministers, CEO, board members or civil servants on merit.
He adds when we appoint people on merit, we will get the job done well and we will also ensure that all Fijians get the best outcome.
The Prime Minister also said that he had admiration and appreciation for the Sanatan community in Fiji saying any young person in Fiji who has attended a Sanatan educational institution or spent time within their community knows full well that their contributions to Fiji have made our nation a better place to call home.
The development plans for the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Rewa Branch include a new temple, multipurpose hall, and Ashram.
It will also be constructing a museum that will tell the stories and the history of the Girmitya in Fiji.
