Monument unveiled to commemorate the founders of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji

A heritage monument that names the founders of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha has been unveiled at their headquarters in Samabula that ensures that the future generation are aware of the struggles these founders went through during time of Girmit and realise how far they have come.

While speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Premila Kumar has acknowledged the contribution of such visionary leaders who through their foresight led the preservation of their heritage and religion for the generations to come.

She says despite challenges and a future filled with uncertainty, the forefathers of the Arya Samaj in Fiji chose to invest their time and energy in continuing with their heritage as well as in the education of their children.

Kumar says she has noticed that in Fiji, the stories of our indenture history are not passed on to our children and she sees this as a slow demise of our history.

The Education Minister says she will be working towards ensuring that the current and future generations do not missout on this piece of history.

She says this can be achieved through heritage education which is essential so that one’s heritage is not lost or forgotten.

Kumar says on Christmas Day, in 1904, a small group of people that included Babu Mangal Singh, Gaji Pratap Singh, Nanku Sonar, Bihari Lal, Shiu Datt Sharma, Basdeo Rai, Inayat Hussein, Indra Narayan and Tikaram Verma met in Samabula to establish the Arya Samaj of Fiji and preserve their heritage.

The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji owns and manages 15 kindergartens, 16 primary schools, 6 secondary schools and a tertiary institution - The University of Fiji.