YP Reddy and Vinod Patel were models of dedication and the virtue of hard work and effort – Rabuka

Yanktesh Permal Reddy and Vinod Patel were models of dedication and the virtue of hard work and effort.

This was highlighted by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka while paying tribute to two of Fiji’s iconic leaders for their loyalty, commitment and contribution to the country where he described the two men as highly courageous, visionary and principled.

Yanktesh Permal Reddy was a prominent figure in tourism and was the head of the Reddy Group and Tanoa Group of Hotels, died peacefully at his Auckland home on Thursday 4th January and was farewelled by family and friends in Auckland today. Vinod Patel who was the Chairman of Vinod Patel Group of Companies, passed away at Aspen Hospital, Lautoka, on Friday night.

Patel had been on life support for a few days after falling at his home in Ba early this week.

Rabuka says he was fortunate to have been closely associated with Reddy and Patel during his term as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1999.

He continued his association with them when he spent more than a decade out of politics. The Prime Minister says both these gentlemen became renowned not only for their corporate achievements, but as philanthropists and community luminaries.

He says they showed care, compassion and empathy for others.

He also aluded their immeasurable business accomplishments, providing employment in their respective companies for thousands of Fijians.

Rabuka says he became well acquainted with Patel during his first service as Prime Minister when he was a Parliamentary representative of the National Federation Party.

He says it was a momentous period that culminated in the enactment of the widely-applauded 1997 Constitution. The Prime Minister says he headed a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee studying constitutional recommendations of the Reeves Commission, and Patel was a member of the JPSC.

He says their Parliamentary mission was to search for new ways of political cooperation, and to address and resolve some of the complexities, the fears and divisions of our multi-ethnic society.

Rabuka says he observed that Patel was wise and intelligent who was often restrained in his speeches and during discussions in the Parliament Tanoa Tea Break Groups, but what he said was always of value. He says they shared what he describes as ‘compassionate’ patriotism as they both cared very much about Fiji and knew things had to change if the country was to progress.

The Prime Minister says as a long-time customer of his famous hardware business, he mostly paid his 30-day accounts on time.

He says there was, however, an embarrassing situation when the previous government stopped his pension.

Rabuka says it meant he had difficulty meeting his Vinod Patel debts on time, not to worry though as the company agreed to give grace periods in his payments.

The Prime Minister says he is sure Reddy and Patel will be surrounded by grace and compassion as they make their way to the afterlife.