Thousands of people today witnessed the burial of the late na Momo na Tui Ba, Ratu Sairusi Nagagavoka at the chiefly burial grounds at Sorokoba.
The Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was also present at the funeral church service together with dignitaries, chiefs from the 14 provinces, politicians and farmers.
The third eulogy was presented by the leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry who said the people are not here to mourn, but to celebrate the life of an exemplary person - a leader, High Chief, a man who inspired and led not through fear and force, but through his ultimate humility, his humanity, and the quiet strength of his personality.
Chaudhry said he is honoured and truly humbled, to be invited to share his thoughts on the life of this man who was held in such high esteem by not only the people of Ba but all those who came in contact with the late Tui Ba, Ratu Sairusi Nagagavoka.
Although a chief of paramount rank, Ratu Sairusi stood not on ceremony - he was a sincere, humble, generous person who mixed easily with people from all walks of life - a true peoples’ man in close touch with everyone in his Vanua, of whatever race.
Chaudhry said his own close contact with the late Tui Ba dates back two decades to the start of his active advent into politics in 1987, 1999, 2000.
According to Chaudhry, Ratu Sairusi himself grew up among Indians and spoke fluent Hindi and their conversations were always in Hindi, not in English.
Chaudhry said he regarded him as a son, affectionately calling him ‘Beta’ in Hindi and for him Ratu Sairusi was a father-figure.
He added that Ba will indeed miss him and will long be remembered as Tui Ba - the Father of the Vanua of Ba, the symbol of its unity and racial harmony.
Story by: Tokasa Rainima
