28-year-old Navneel Sen, has expressed his appreciation for his love for 27-year-old Filomena Diyasa in Labasa after performing the traditional ilakovi iTaukei ceremony to formally ask Diyasa's hand in marriage in Naikelikoso, Macuata.
Sen swam across a flooded river for the ceremony in the village during the recent floods in Vanua Levu.
Diyasa says she sees Sen as a loyal, caring and well-mannered man.
She says she was surprised that he approached her in the formal iTaukei way, adding that she had never imagined the moment would unfold in that manner.
The two first met in 2019 during her first year at university.
Speaking to fijivillage News from Vanua Levu, Sen says that performing the ilakovi for the first time gave him a deeper appreciation of iTaukei culture and the values behind the traditional practice.
Sen adds that the experience was meaningful and transformative, and allowed him to show respect while learning the proper iTaukei protocol.
Sen says it is important to approach every practice with respect, understanding and the right intention.
Diyasa says young people today should understand that times have changed and that Fiji is home to people with different beliefs, cultures and life experiences.
She also commented on their photo circulating on facebook, saying some online users made racial remarks.
Diyasa says she is grateful to her parents and family for supporting her and welcoming Sen into the family.
