 |  Dr Mridula Prasad passed away on 19 September 2017 |
*If we truly wish to honour the late Dr Mridula Prasad for her remarkable courage and advocacy for women's health and HIV/AIDS, a small public marker - such as a blue commemorative plaque - on the house she once called home would speak far more than any Facebook post.
*From Sashi Kiran's 2023 statutory declaration, we note that the Coalition's NFP Minister Kiran is now the owner of her friend, the late Dr Mridula Prasad's former residence at 7 Baskhi St, Samabula, Suva.
*Placing the plaque on this prominent residence would not only honour her memory and lifelong contributions, but would also ensure that all who pass by the property, currently worth $580,000, are reminded of the late Doctor's enduring legacy and advocacy for women's health in Fiji.
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From Warning to Tribute: Blue Plaque Honouring Late Dr Mridula Prasad Could Be Placed Above Burglar Sign at Her Samabula Home
*A fitting tribute to the late Dr Mridula Prasad could be the installation of a blue commemorative plaque above the existing blue sign that currently serves as a burglar deterrent on the gate of 7 Bakshi Street, Samabula, Suva.
*Placing the plaque in this prominent position would not only honour her memory and lifelong contributions but also ensure that all who pass by the property are reminded of her enduring legacy. It would transform a practical security feature into a meaningful landmark, celebrating Dr Mridula Prasad’s life and achievements in a location closely connected to her story.
*A blue plaque is a commemorative sign, usually a round, blue enamel or ceramic disk, installed on a building to mark its historical significance by celebrating a notable person who lived or worked there, or an important event that took place there.
*Placing the plaque in this prominent position would not only honour her memory and lifelong contributions but also ensure that all who pass by the property are reminded of her enduring legacy. It would transform a practical security feature into a meaningful landmark, celebrating Dr Mridula Prasad’s life and achievements in a location closely connected to her story.
*A blue plaque is a commemorative sign, usually a round, blue enamel or ceramic disk, installed on a building to mark its historical significance by celebrating a notable person who lived or worked there, or an important event that took place there.
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It's always inspiring when the wealthy take time out of their busy property managing, asset declaring schedules to offer life lessons to the poor. Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation Sashi Kiran called on Fiji's welfare receipients to take charge of their futures, encouraging them to "earn their own income" and "graduate from dependence" by - wait for it - selling vegetables at the market.
It's an uplifting message, really. And who better to deliver it than someone who has successfully "graduated", from being the founder and director of the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development Services (FRIENDS) to becoming an NFP parliamentarian, by accumulating three prime properties worth $1.74 million, including a 2009 X-Trail worth more than what some of her target audience earns in two years or more? She also generated additional supplementary income by renting out two of her properties (one in Suva and one in Lautoka) for $12,000 and $14,400 per annum, respectively. As CEO of FRIENDS she was on $95,000 annual salary.
It's an uplifting message, really. And who better to deliver it than someone who has successfully "graduated", from being the founder and director of the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development Services (FRIENDS) to becoming an NFP parliamentarian, by accumulating three prime properties worth $1.74 million, including a 2009 X-Trail worth more than what some of her target audience earns in two years or more? She also generated additional supplementary income by renting out two of her properties (one in Suva and one in Lautoka) for $12,000 and $14,400 per annum, respectively. As CEO of FRIENDS she was on $95,000 annual salary.
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Yes, the Honourable 'Poverty Alleviation' Minister knows exactly what it takes to get ahead. And her formula is simple:
- Buy $580,000 worth of property in Samabula, Suva.
- Add a state lease on Ratu Mara Road for $400,000.
- Throw in a Simla, Lautoka, freehold title worth $765,000.
- Diversify your holdings with a little over 3,000 units in Fijian Holdings Ltd (FHL) Fund Management, valued at $2,936.62.
- Collect a combined annual income of nearly $200,000 plus from government salaries, and rentals.
*At the Time of Filing Her 2023 Statutory Declaration, Sashi Kiran Was Assistant Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Earning a Salary of $90,000. She was sworn-in on 24 December 2022.
83-year-old Satya Wati. The land belonged to the Fiji Muslim League,
Poverty Advice From the Penthouse
Kiran’s statutory declaration under the Political Parties Act gives us an unfiltered look into a politician’s reality. She preaches the gospel of empowerment:
“The Ministry encourages welfare recipients to create their own opportunities, to start small businesses, and to earn their own income.”
After all, as Cabinet Minister Kiran’s own inspiring journey proves, the secret to escaping hardship is simple: just summon a little entrepreneurial fair, and, of course, casually have a spare $765,000 lying around to snap up a Simla, Lautoka, freehold title. Poverty, clearly, is just a mindset.
Kiran’s statutory declaration under the Political Parties Act gives us an unfiltered look into a politician’s reality. She preaches the gospel of empowerment:
“The Ministry encourages welfare recipients to create their own opportunities, to start small businesses, and to earn their own income.”
After all, as Cabinet Minister Kiran’s own inspiring journey proves, the secret to escaping hardship is simple: just summon a little entrepreneurial fair, and, of course, casually have a spare $765,000 lying around to snap up a Simla, Lautoka, freehold title. Poverty, clearly, is just a mindset.
Satya Wati How do we help the case of 83-year-old Satya Wati, whom the Fiji Muslim League had served notice in November 2024 to leave its Nabua Muslim League settlement in Suva. She had lived there most of her life and "I should have died before seeing this day". As she pondered on how or where she would go, she lamented that 'this is the worst Christmas" for her.
Two years earlier, on 22 December 2022, it was the best Christmas for Kiran and her party, the NFP, as they joined Rabuka's coalition government after wandering in political wilderness since the election defeat in 1999. But go ahead and try telling that to the likes of Satya Wati.
Two years earlier, on 22 December 2022, it was the best Christmas for Kiran and her party, the NFP, as they joined Rabuka's coalition government after wandering in political wilderness since the election defeat in 1999. But go ahead and try telling that to the likes of Satya Wati.
The View From Bakshi Street
And if all else fails, perhaps ask a well-connected lawyer like Richard Naidu for a $4,000 “campaign donation” - that seems to work, too.
Donations for the ‘Self-Made’ from 'Friends of NFP'
Curiously, despite her near-millionaire status, Kiran’s 2023 disclosures also reveal that she accepted political donations to fund her election campaign:
But in the context of her ministerial pep talks on financial independence, one might have expected a self-funded campaign as a living example of her message: why can’t a property-owning, six-figure-earning election candidate do the same?
And if all else fails, perhaps ask a well-connected lawyer like Richard Naidu for a $4,000 “campaign donation” - that seems to work, too.
Donations for the ‘Self-Made’ from 'Friends of NFP'
Curiously, despite her near-millionaire status, Kiran’s 2023 disclosures also reveal that she accepted political donations to fund her election campaign:
- $4,000 from Richard Naidu.
- $1,000 from Daniel Naidu.
- $1,500 from Ramesh Prasad.
But in the context of her ministerial pep talks on financial independence, one might have expected a self-funded campaign as a living example of her message: why can’t a property-owning, six-figure-earning election candidate do the same?
*The total of the declared expenses shown in the declaration is $9,500. *The Naidus and a Prasad donated $6,500. Kiran forked out only $3,000
Cash from Dad, Banners from Son: The Naidu Family Discount Package
*Senior lawyer Richard Naidu came bearing $4,000 in cold, hard cash, while his lawyer son Daniel Naidu chipped in $1,000 for campaign banners. For 2022 election candidate Kiran, it seems the Naidus were a one-stop shop: dad bankrolls, son decorates, and the campaign rolls on.
From Fijileaks Archive, 6 June 2021
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 | Just as many blue plaques have been erected around the world, a similar tribute should be erected at 7 Bakshi Street, Samabula, Suva to commemorate the late Dr Mridula Prasad, a pioneering advocate for women's dignity, equality, and justice in Fiji |
*On 21 June 2008, Dr Mridula Prasad became a new trustee at FRIEND's annual general meeting at Natabua High School hall in Lautoka |  |
Remember her name, remember her contribution:
Dr Mridula Prasad – Rest in Power and Love
27 September 2017: The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) sends its sincere and warm condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr Mridula Prasad who passed away early last week. The health practitioner served on FWRM’s management committee for more than five years prior to the 2000 political crisis and was a long time member of the feminist organisation.
Dr Mridula was a strong advocate for the advancement of women’s health, in particular women’s sexual and reproductive rights at a time when these issues were considered private and often only discussed in the context of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDs. Some of the early work that FWRM initiated on sexual and reproductive rights was under the guidance of Dr Mridula. The United National Population Fund in September 1999 recognised her strong advocacy for women’s sexual and reproductive rights and awarded her with a regional award for Reproductive Health and Rights.
FWRM members have many anecdotes about Dr Mridula.
Raijeli Drodrolagi shared, “a vivid memory that I have of Dr Mridula as a strong advocate for women’s health and rights, is when she convinced some of the FWRM staff and management committee members to trial the female condom. She made it necessary that if we were to speak about contraceptives then weneeded to come from a place of knowledge and experience. This was Dr Mridula – very matter of fact.”
Praveen Sharma noted that “Dr Mridula was the other side of the coin for FWRM – one side was focused on legal and economic rights and she was focused on healing and empowering from within, protecting women against sexual violence, empowering women to take control of their sexuality, making informed decisions. She made us complete.”
Dr Mridula was a member of the FWRM management committee up until the 1999 national elections, the first polls under the progressive 1997 Fiji Constitution. Dr Mridula resigned from the civil service and FWRM’s governance body to stand in the elections. Dr Mridula was one of the few Fijian women at the time that stepped up as a candidate for Fiji’s legislature. After the elections, she went into private practice and continued to contribute her knowledge on women’s health to a wide variety of community groups such as the Fiji AIDS Task Force and FRIENDS.
Dr Mridula was passionate in her beliefs and stood up for vulnerable women and men. She is remembered as a strong, dedicated and tireless campaigner for women’s health and empowerment. She will be missed by FWRM, the women’s and feminist movement of Fiji and we thank Dr Mridula for being part of our journey.
Dr Mridula Prasad – Rest in Power and Love
27 September 2017: The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) sends its sincere and warm condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr Mridula Prasad who passed away early last week. The health practitioner served on FWRM’s management committee for more than five years prior to the 2000 political crisis and was a long time member of the feminist organisation.
Dr Mridula was a strong advocate for the advancement of women’s health, in particular women’s sexual and reproductive rights at a time when these issues were considered private and often only discussed in the context of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDs. Some of the early work that FWRM initiated on sexual and reproductive rights was under the guidance of Dr Mridula. The United National Population Fund in September 1999 recognised her strong advocacy for women’s sexual and reproductive rights and awarded her with a regional award for Reproductive Health and Rights.
FWRM members have many anecdotes about Dr Mridula.
Raijeli Drodrolagi shared, “a vivid memory that I have of Dr Mridula as a strong advocate for women’s health and rights, is when she convinced some of the FWRM staff and management committee members to trial the female condom. She made it necessary that if we were to speak about contraceptives then weneeded to come from a place of knowledge and experience. This was Dr Mridula – very matter of fact.”
Praveen Sharma noted that “Dr Mridula was the other side of the coin for FWRM – one side was focused on legal and economic rights and she was focused on healing and empowering from within, protecting women against sexual violence, empowering women to take control of their sexuality, making informed decisions. She made us complete.”
Dr Mridula was a member of the FWRM management committee up until the 1999 national elections, the first polls under the progressive 1997 Fiji Constitution. Dr Mridula resigned from the civil service and FWRM’s governance body to stand in the elections. Dr Mridula was one of the few Fijian women at the time that stepped up as a candidate for Fiji’s legislature. After the elections, she went into private practice and continued to contribute her knowledge on women’s health to a wide variety of community groups such as the Fiji AIDS Task Force and FRIENDS.
Dr Mridula was passionate in her beliefs and stood up for vulnerable women and men. She is remembered as a strong, dedicated and tireless campaigner for women’s health and empowerment. She will be missed by FWRM, the women’s and feminist movement of Fiji and we thank Dr Mridula for being part of our journey.
Fijileaks: A fitting tribute to the late Dr Mridula Prasad could be the installation of a blue commemorative plaque above the existing blue sign that currently serves as a burglar deterrent on gate of 7 Bakshi Street, Samabula, Suva.
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