National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says it was the late Professor Brij Lal who had counselled him to study Economics because of his good marks in mathematics and not pursue History as a subject at the University of South Pacific.
While speaking at the condolence gathering for Professor Lal at Jai Narayan College, Prasad says he is glad that he listened to the advice and had he stuck to history, he could not have matched the achievements of Professor Lal who became a Professor in no time and went to be internationally acclaimed as Fiji’s and one of Oceania region’s finest scholar.
Prasad adds Professor Lal’s close association with the Leadership of the NFP was based on his research and deep knowledge of Fiji’s history.
The NFP Leader says Professor Lal was banished from the land of his birth 12 years ago and was given 24 hours to leave the Suva Point home that he had bought and made ready for his retirement.
Prasad further says Professor Lal was persuaded overnight by his closest friends into leaving behind his home with his wife Dr Padma Lal to fly out the following morning to Australia.
He says Professor Lal tried every legal means at his disposal to get the ban lifted after resumption of parliamentary democracy in October 2014 but the then Immigration and Defence Minister described both Professor Lal and his wife Dr Padma Lal as threat to national security.
Prasad says Professor Lal did not give up hope on returning to his land of birth and wished to retire where his heart was.
The NFP Leader adds if this government has any conscience, it will without hesitation allow Dr Padma Lal and children Yogi and Niraj to bring Professor Lal’s ashes to Tabia, Vanua Levu, where he was born in a thatched bure.
