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PARATHA TREAT or Biman Prasad's FRIENDSHIP: Minutes of Meeting reveal VC Rajesh Chandra giving Dr Dilawar Grewal ultimatum: 'You must cut all contact with Dr Gurmeet Singh and Prasad to save your Contract'

22/4/2016

21 Comments

 
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"With regards to his relationship with Dr Gurmeet Singh, VPA [Dilawar Grewal] mentioned that his family had a family relationship with Gurmeet and his family. He further mentioned that when on a weekend he felt like eating Parathas, he would call Gurmeet and go over to his house for breakfast. Hence, it was inappropriate for VC&P [Rajesh Chandra] to ask him to cease his relationship with Gurmeet and his family. To which the VC&P responded that to keep his trust VPA would have to stop being friends with Gurmeet because he was perceived to be a “conduit” to Dr Biman Prasad. VPA responded that he did not have a problem not talking to Dr Prasad but cannot not talk to Dr Gurmeet Singh as he was a friend. VC&P then stated that the choice was VPAs but if he wanted to keep his trust, then his (VPAs)relationship with Dr Biman Prasad would make this very difficult. VPA responded that he fully understood VC&P’s concern about his relationship with Dr Biman Prasad and would discontinue talking to him."

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PictureDr Grewal
On 24 February 2014 the USP's executive committee appointed Dr Dilawar Grewal as Vice-President, Administration. The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, in announcing the appointment, said that the University had rationalized its Senior Management Team (SMT) by upgrading a Pro Vice-Chancellor position to Vice-President (Administration) to provide stronger leadership, monitoring and evaluation of IT, Planning and Quality and Human Resources.

The position would oversee the areas of Policy & Planning, Quality, Institutional Research & Data, Human Resources, ITS, Japan-Pacific ICT Centre & Regional ICT Outreach, Libraries and USP Commercial. After his appointment Grewal said he was very excited at this opportunity as these were progressive times of change at USP and the region. “I am honoured to be invited to become a part of and to contribute towards this change. Within and beyond USP, I feel a personal affinity to the peoples of the Pacific and ardently believe that I can make positive contributions to their lives and enrich those of my family and mine through interactions.”

Probation Review Meeting - Crunch Time with focus on Fijileaks

On 24 May 2015, Grewal appeared before Chandra for the review of his contract. The meeting was held in the Cahnellery Boardroom at 3pm. Agnes Kotoisuva, the then Manager Human Resources Operations and Administrative Services, wrote down the minutes. The minutes of the meeting obtained by Fijileaks reveal Chandra began by reminding Grewal about SMT Confidentiality and cohesiveness: "VC&P [Chandra] stated that one of the most important principles of SMT was confidentiality and cohesiveness. He said there should be no leakage whether intentionally or unintentionally outside of SMT on matters already discussed and agreed to in meetings. VC&P mentioned that in the 2013 VOICE Survey, SMT had come out looking bad and he did not want to see a repeat of this."

In response, Grewal stated that taking into account these issues he was willing to sign off on a confidentiality agreement. Chandra informed Grewal that he had received a letter of complaint against him [Chandra] which had also appeared on Fijileaks and he suspected there was a leak in SMT. Grewal responded that he had not seen the letter and asked Chandra for a copy but he declined.

Dr Giulio Masasso Paunga, Vice-President—Regional Campuses and Properties and Facilities

Chandra stated that the letter had raised the issue of two senior SMT members threatening to leave, one of them of Tongan origin. The implication was that there was unhappiness and lack of cohesion with SMT. According to Kotoisuva's minute: "VC&P said he had asked Dr Paunga as he was the only SMT of Tongan origin but he denied ever making such a statement." Chandra further stated that the letter of complaint had been copied to Dr Biman Prasad, other MPs, Ministers and even Bainimarama.

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Dr Gurmeet Singh's links to Biman Prasad - Friendship Questioned

In this regard, Chandra expressed his concern about Grewal's relationship with Dr Gurmeet Singh,  the Associate Professor, Coordinator Post Graduate Program, School of Management and Public Administration and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Affairs, Faculty of Business and Economics at USP.

Chandra claimed that Singh "was known to be a close friend of Dr Biman Prasad and as such placing him (VPA) in a difficult situation GIVEN Dr Biman’s position as the leader of the NFP and a member of Parliament."

Grewal unequivocally stated that he had nothing to do with the letter or any “facts” that may have been passed onto others, including Prasad. Grewal, according to the minute: "He (VPA, Grewal) stated that he does not discuss confidential or SMT matters with either Dr Biman Prasad or Dr Gurmeet Singh."

The Paratha Warning: Bite and Walk Away from NFP leader Biman Prasad

With regards to his relationship with Singh, Grewal mentioned that his family had a family relationship with the Singh family. He further mentioned that when on a weekend he felt like eating Parathas, he would call Singh and go over to his house for breakfast. "Hence, it was inappropriate for VC&P to ask him to cease his relationship with Gurmeet and his family."

To which Chandra responded that to keep his trust Grewal would have to stop being friends with Singh because he was perceived to be a “conduit” to NFP leader Prasad .

Grewal responded that he did not have a problem not talking to Prasad but cannot not talk to Singh as he was a friend. Chandra then stated that the choice was Grewal's but if he wanted to keep his trust, then his (Grewal's) relationship with Prasad would make this very difficult. Grewal responded that he fully understood Chandra's concern about his relationship with Prasad and would discontinue talking to him.

Chandra stated that he was not going to approve or disapprove Grewal's relationships with individuals but he (Grewal) needed to choose his friends and associates with this in mind. Chandra further stated that he (Grewal) would find out that in the Pacific, "if one asked for too many things, one would become the centre of attraction and right now MQ52 had become a ‘lightening rod’."

Mahendra Reddy smells "Paratha" ultimatum - calls Grewal

E-mail exchanges between various parties (Fijileaks is holding them back) reveal that on 23 June 2015 Reddy called Grewal and expressed his surprise that Chandra was imposing conditions and threatening to terminate his (Grewal's contract). Reddy assured Grewal that he was going to speak to Chandra - for it was unacceptable that Grewal "can't eat Parathas at Singh's house" - that was not in Grewal's employment contract.

Chandra's demand smacked of BLACKMAIL.

Fijileaks: We will reveal more e-mails later. As we stated earlier, Rajesh Chandra is yet to respond to our questions. In the follow up meeting held on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 4.30pm, while confirming the minutes, Chandra disputed a sentence and got replaced with as follows: ‘VC&P stated that he was not going to approve or disapprove VPA’s relationships with individuals but he(VPA) needed to choose his friends and associates with the responsibilities of SMT and the need to keep the VC&P confidences in mind.'

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21 Comments
Cut friend
22/4/2016 11:29:02 pm

Rajesh Chandra is telling dilawar to 'cut-friend' with biman and gurmeet. And be my (rajesh's) friend only. Otherwise rajesh will cut-friend with dilawar, to use a quintessential Fiji expression. Reminds me of my primary school days and the auguments we used to have about whose friend to be and whose friend not to be. How childish. And this man is the President and Vice-chancellor of USP? God save USP!

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Chiku
22/4/2016 11:33:42 pm

I thought a university was a place of intellectual enterprise. Apparently not at USP where petty politics, petty academics, petty personal rivalries have reduced this region centre of academic excellence to a disgraceful farce.

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Paratha ki Kahani
22/4/2016 11:44:26 pm

USP will now be forever associated with the 'Paratha chronicles', hahaha!

Congratulations rajeshwa for reducing a once-fine institution to rubble in terms of respectability. Damn fine leader you turned out to be.

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Dekho
23/4/2016 12:03:00 am

Rajesh Chandra was NEVER a leader. He was ALWAYS a tweet.
Only now some have come to recognise his true character.

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Roti
23/4/2016 01:57:26 am

I hope rajeshwa choked on his roti this morning when he read this.

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Jai Ho!
23/4/2016 02:50:38 am

Mr Paratha Rajesh Chandra is a dunce to begin with. It's more than likely he was advised by another dunce in this incident - Jai Karan, who was elevated to the position of director marketing and development without USP ever advertising the post. Besides carrying Rajesh Chandra's bags on their frequent overseas trips, Jai Karan is his number one advisor. They socialize together and are in constant ph contact. No one took Jai seriously at the last place he worked but at USP he was elevated to number 2 spot with his nepotistic appointment directly by Rajesh Chandra. Since then be has been advising Rajesh, with disastrous consequences, as we have seen in the latest example. You can bet your arse jai told Rajesh to have that talk with dilawar. Rajesh asks Jai for his opinion on everything. He will not act without checking with his masi polo first.

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Mockery of position link
23/4/2016 10:14:19 am

Is all this true. How on earth can a person holding such high position be so low in human values. Wonder how is he as a father and husband. Heard he loves possessing properties. Heard also that his properties conveniently gets renovated when some renovations happen at USP. Also heard that his chamcha in maintenance, Sachida is great in writing double receipts and mostly when renovations happen at one of VCs new property. VC loves his face in the mirror, loves sound of his voice, and the title he has. Definitely he doesn't possess the quality that goes with such position. Why else would he still feel intimidated by someone who long left USP. Is it true the VC also used illegal tactics to ensure Biman doesn't get the position he was most appointable for. Is it true that vc hasn't stopped harassing Biman's wife, made both their life hell while Biman was the Dean and Professor at USP. Only a weak person would behave like this.

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jml
23/4/2016 10:19:17 am

An imbecile as head of USP! How low can it go.

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Liumuri
23/4/2016 10:49:39 am

Dilawar stuck his neck out for Rajesh and made enemies in the service of USP and this is how he gets treated. USP is such a sad place.

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Socho
23/4/2016 12:43:27 pm

It is hard to believe that at the top ranks of the university you can have such low down people. What a shame.The shame belongs to all of us in Fiji and the region because we have allowed these low down people to run this higher education institution 2016 without any real check on what they have been up to.

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Aj
23/4/2016 01:17:35 pm

Dont blame only Dr. Rajesh. The rot is deep, symbol of big rot in Fiji. Dr. Rajesh had to hit Dr. Wadan because Khaiyum wanted this done. Dr. Rajesh had to hit Biman because Khaiyum wanted this done. Dr. Rajesh continues hitting Dr. Biman. Why not, because if he has to survive, he has to hit Dr. Biman and all who associate with him. In this Fiji, you dont have any option because all those who may want Dr. Rajesh to defend academic freedom will not be seen around when Khaiyum hits back at Dr. Rajesh for not following his commands.

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Dekho
23/4/2016 09:52:17 pm

Nuremberg Trial judgement : following orders is no defence when it is apparent that the orders are wrong and immoral. If Rajesh Chandra was merely carrying out Khaiyum's orders then it proves Rajesh Chandra to be a spineless scumbag with no moral compass and no personal integrity. How can such a man be the leader of a university?

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Aj
23/4/2016 11:35:14 pm

I bet Dr. Rajesh doesnt know of Nuremberg trials. Simple fact is that now in Fiji, if one defy's Khaiyuim, one is doomed. Khaiyum will destroy him. Rajesh could have stood firm against the dictates of the meglomanic. But he wont have survived so far. You C, Frankie is a total idiot who will sign off on anything Khaiyum would feed him. So I see it as a simple behaviuor - either stand firm and defy Khaiyum and then prepare to be fired, or agree to Khaiyum and stay in office. Dr. Rajesh choose the latter. So is what seems to have happened. But that is not the end of it. What is to come is frightening. Continuing on this track means either Dr. Rajesh becomes a total and absolute lackey and become party to a number of crimes being committed by Khaiyum and Frank, or be ready to be fired another day and live in stress and fear of the bully-man for the rest of the tenure. There is no escaping this.

Injustice
23/4/2016 01:40:36 pm

Rajeshwa does not show any qualities and competency of a leader. I would recommend him doing a course on leadership in his own USP (University of Stupid People) and request Gurmeet to teach him. His act is very childish arrogant and dictorial just like AG. I think too much sucking of kai by Rajeshwa has resulted in transfer of knowledge to Rajeshwa hence it reflect on him now though his characteristics.

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Rajend Naidu
23/4/2016 10:51:34 pm

Editor,
Dirty Deal
Scott O'Connell tells us in his letter to The Australian 23/04 that
" The Queensland Labor Party has done a dirty deal to rig the next state election. Reminiscent of communist Europe. Labor has rushed through ... Changes to electoral and voting laws... Without consultation...This government has attacked our democracy... The Premier and her Labor MPs are focused on one thing : keeping their jobs and maintaining power. They are morally bankrupt".
I don't know enough about the Australian electoral system to know whether what Scott is saying is true. But I do know there are people, politicians and professionals, who are focused on that one thing : Keeping their jobs and maintaining their hold on power.
And, that such people have no problem in departing from the principled path in pursuit of that agenda.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

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Tui
24/4/2016 01:44:57 am

After ganesh Chand, it is now time for rajesh chandra; Mahen reddy, please remove this guy from USP ASAP

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Sam
24/4/2016 12:21:11 pm

Dear Tui, Why do you want Rajesh Chandra removed? And why do you think Ganesh Chand was fired?

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Imbecile
24/4/2016 02:16:31 pm

What an idiotic question Sam. Surely you not that stupid. Have you not read the article and all the comments, obviously from people on the know. Are
You able to comprehend what is being discussed of not? Doesn't look like it going by your infantile query.

Sam
24/4/2016 07:37:30 pm

Imbecile Tui, why do you want Rajesh Chandra removed? Why do you think Ganesh Chand was fired? Please do your research thoroughly and then respond. I acknowledge that present day 'academics' may have difficulty spelling the word 'research'. But I live in hope.

Pita
24/4/2016 07:27:50 pm

Sam = King Rat, one and the same
HMS Tautauvata

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HR Consultant
25/4/2016 01:48:58 am

Sairusi is struggling as USP Director HR as he was not the top candidate. Grewal should explain to the public of the Pacific why he as Chair of the Appointments Committee did not appoint the top candidate. We can smell a King Rat from miles away in this case.
Jannif should explain to the public why FNU did not appoint the top candidate and now wasting funds re advertising. Too many King Rats in Fiji in leadership positions. All must be kicked out come 2018.

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