Federal Senator Paul Scarr congratulates our own “International Media Mogul”, Jitendra Deo
The Queensland Senator is no stranger to the Multicultural Communities as he graciously frequents respective diaspora community events.
Our Senator friend is an unmistakable father and elderly figure across our multicultural Queensland and beyond and has over the years garnered a lot of respect from community leaders.
A very timely suggestion he made during the Girmit Celebration Speech in the Girmit and Deo Family Foundations event of May 18th, 2024 that “our students in High School should learn more of our Pacific History” noting the over 60 thousand indentured laborers from far away India brought sparingly to Fiji, in the Pacific from 1879 to 1916 .
Senator Scarr passionately and rightly reminisced that “I wonder how proud your ancestors must be to see everything you have achieved. To see everything their descendants have achieved is absolutely spectacular, it is just incredible.”
Many Pacific Community leaders and even us here at your Brisbane Indian Times like to believe that Senator Scarr is our Pacific Man and Multicultural advocate within the echelons of power in Canberra. Even before he entered the Australia Upper House of Parliament and appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Multicultural Engagement, our friend Senator Paul Scarr has numerous professional and personal firsthand experiences within the Pacific and multicultural communities.
Unlike many sitting Australian Parliamentarian who only visit the Pacific for a few days holiday, Senator Scarr, however for a period lived and worked in the Pacific as a Senior Associate of a major Law Firm with offices in Australia and PNG.
In edifying our beloved budding “International Media Mogul” Jitendra was not just a pleasantry comment of a speaker of the event but Senator Scarr echoing the spirit of his purpose and intent of one of the reason he wanted to be a people’s representative in the Australian Senate when he passionately declared in his maiden speech in Senate on September 10th 2019 that “ One of the driving reasons I sought election to this place was to make it easier, not harder, for Australians to pursue opportunity and create wealth through their own initiative, their own enterprise and their own spirit”
Senator Scarr is, indeed, an endeared friend of us migrants who on few occasions feels our rights are at time intentionally or inadvertently trample upon. To his credit in the same maiden speech, he added shamelessly that “I will always be a fierce defender of the right of the individual to express their views, to hear other people’s opinions and to be sovereign over their own beliefs, thoughts and conscience.”
In concluding one of the best maiden speeches ever delivered by a new member of Parliament the all-inclusive words of wisdom and hope of a true widely respected community elder and father figure to diaspora communities in the multicultural Australia that graciously asserts that “We are all Australians now.”
The Deo family of Brisbane, Queensland, proprietors of the JD Media Corporation, are grateful we Queenslanders can be represented in the Australian Federal Senate by our dear friend, Senator Paul Scarr.
Please read below Senator Scarr full speech at the Girmit Celebration 2024:
Good evening, everyone.
What a wonderful delight to be here with you.
Can I acknowledge the traditional owners and pay my respect to past, present and emerging, and Jitendra to your family and everyone involved in the organisation of this event.
Congratulations, Congratulations to Jitendra and family.
Thank you very much.
I just want to share three reflections with you today.
The first, the over sixty thousand who came from India to Fiji between 1879 and 1916, I wonder how proud your ancestors must be to see everything you have achieved. To see everything their descendants have achieved is absolutely spectacular, it is just incredible.
It has not just been as we heard, have just been the contribution of Fiji, but all the other countries where the diaspora has moved to, including Australia, to have made a wonderful contribution.
I should also say, I acknowledge James as the MP for Stretton and Jon who was here as Mayor of Logan. Cr Frazier and my good friend Pinky Singh, candidate for Mansfield.
I am lucky I do not have to be precocial, I am a Senator for the whole of Queensland, the whole of Queensland, does not matter if you are in Logan, Stretton, in Mansfield or wherever you are, I am your representative. Which makes things easier.
So, congratulations to everyone who received an award earlier today.
The second thought I want to share with you is I think our students in High School should learn more of our Pacific History, right?
There is not enough history of the Pacific taught to children in high school, and I think we should learn more of our Pacific History because it is absolutely fascinating, and this is one of the chapters in the History of Pacific. So, I want to share that thought with you.
Lastly, in relation to our “International Media Mogul”, Jitendra, Congratulations! Multicultural media is just so important in terms of keeping people together, keeping the Diaspora together, informed, pursing issue of key importance to relevant diasporas and I am sure Jitendra, you and your family will just do wonderful job in terms of impetus in sowing this.
Xavier Hernandez needs no formal introduction as he is a regular attendee, volunteer, supporter of the Indian community, Multicultural and broader community. He a tireless volunteer for the community and when his not volunteering for the community he loves to raise funds for important causes.
From an early age Xavier has seen the importance of giving back.
The Fiji Girmit Foundation Australia and her sponsors eternally treasures the Girmit phenomenon. Hence, with all honourable intent and purposes have gone above the rhetoric severally mimicked in intermitted post and periodic blog in social media, now decided to up the ante in not only celebrating anniversaries of Girmit era but duly recognising exceptional professional and civic achievements of nominated Girmit descendants.
On May 18th, 2024, was the second time these awards were deservingly presented to Girmit descendants from Fiji, now residents of Queensland.
This is the Chairman, Jitendra Deo’s Speech and in observance of Indigenous Australian protocol and rightly so recognised his fellow dignitaries and community leaders.
Raj Kumari worked in the CWM hospital for 25 years. She spent 5 years in general nursing and another 20 as the sister in charge of the Eye Department, famously being known as Sister Raj in Fiji. To achieve her ambition to be a nurse and help people, she had to leave her home in Nausori and go to the Western side of Fiji to study. During her years studying, she was part of the girls guide. She went to the villages of Fiji and assisted in looking after the elderly. She showered them and cleaned their wounds, with the limited resources they had. As a nurse she helped people not only those on mainland Fiji but also those on the outer islands.
Rup Narain, hailing from humble beginnings, dedicated himself to advancing rural communities. Serving as an advisory councilor from 1972 to 1998 in Fiji, he tackled community issues and advocated for vital infrastructure like a bridge for village access. Recognized for his service, he received the BEM medal from the Queen in 1991 and a medal from the Fiji Government for his educational and social leadership. As a Head Master, he uplifted various schools, including rural ones. He volunteered on multiple boards, including the hospital and drainage boards, demonstrating compassion and dedication without seeking personal gain, leaving a lasting impact on the communities he served.
Kushla Sahai’s teaching journey began in Fiji in 1965, where she infused culture and language education through festivals and cultural events. Beyond teaching, she engaged in community activities, mentoring girls as a Girls Guides leader and managing a netball team in Raki Raki District. Upon moving to Brisbane, she became a teacher aide at Logan Reserve State School, introducing Indian culture and fundraising. Over a decade, she taught Hindi at Rochedale High School, while serving as Ekta Women’s Group president for 15 years. Despite challenges as a migrant, she seamlessly integrated Indian language into the Australian environment, juggling a full-time job, raising three children, and fulfilling family duties.
Sadhu Prasad, born in Korotari Labasa in 1937, began his career as a licensed teacher in 1954 before joining the family business in 1955. He established Nabouwalu Supermarket in Vanua Levu in 1960. A key figure in soccer, he served in various capacities in the Labasa Soccer Association from 1960 to 1984, earning the title “Father of Soccer” in the north. He contributed significantly to Fiji Football Association, organising the Girmit tournament in 1979. In Labasa Jaycee’s organisation, he served as president for 15 years and initiated various community projects. Migrating to Brisbane in 2000, he remained active in community organisation’s, earning recognition for his voluntary service, including a Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2007. He is also a life member of the Fiji Senior Citizens Association.
Krishna Datt Mishra is a retired Superintendent of Police. He migrated to Melbourne in early 1990’s. He worked for AMP as an insurance representative where he gained immense success and respect within our communities.
Rajendra Prasad, a dedicated school manager, enhanced learning environments at Korovuto Primary and High school in Fiji. His efforts in infrastructure development improved transportation, easing access to schools, hospitals, and towns. Establishing a postal agency in Nacovi facilitated communication for local residents. In Brisbane, he pioneered the Indian Senior Citizen Association and supported the Ekta Women’s Group. As president, he prioritised social, emotional, and mental health support for Indian seniors, fostering connections through local bowls clubs. Amid challenges including legal intricacies and health issues, he navigated language barriers, demonstrating resilience in his commitment to community service and welfare.
Karan Singh, a Fiji School of Medicine graduate, served as Chief Pharmacist at Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) in Suva from 1981. Prior to this, he worked at various hospitals in Fiji. Upon migrating to Australia in 1988, he contributed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, and later Queensland Health in Brisbane until retirement. Notably, during Fiji’s 1st coup, he provided essential medical support, being on call day and night, marked with a Red Cross sign. Despite family concerns, he prioritised patient care, symbolised by his blue-armband and ambulance journeys, demonstrating dedication to public health and humanitarian service.
Ahmad Hussain, along with his brothers, established Tebara Meat Company in Fiji before migrating to Australia in 1986. He played a significant role in the establishment and leadership of mosques in both countries. Serving as a police officer in Fiji for five years, he later became the first president of Darra Islamic Society Mosque in Brisbane, a position he held for a decade. During his tenure, he acquired a new site for the mosque in Oxley. Beyond presidency, he remained actively engaged in fostering community spirit, promoting dialogue among religious groups, and nurturing a welcoming environment at the mosque, epitomizing his dedication to spiritual and social welfare.
Sangeet boasts 51 years of medical service, including 30 at PA Hospital, 20 in Fiji, and 1 in New Zealand. Amidst the pandemic at 68, he continued working, demonstrating exceptional dedication beyond retirement age. Passionate about his Girmit ancestry, he organised numerous Girmit events and the first Girmit soccer in QLD, revitalising the Fiji Indian community post-coup. He co-founded the Brisbane BA Sports and Social Club, served as vice president, and helped establish the QLD Fiji Football Association. Sangeet’s cultural contributions extend to Hindu and Sanatan associations, charity work, pastoral care, and advocacy for cultural leave, making him worthy of national recognition.
Associate Professor Raghwa Sharma, based in Sydney, is a chief Gynaecological Pathologist at Westmead Hospital, specializing in Cytopathology, Sarcoma, and Melanoma diagnostics. With over 15 years of experience, he supervises registrars and has served as acting Director for over 3 years. He’s a vital member of the Research Advisory Committee for ANZGOG and chairs the RCPA Pathology Outreach Educational Committee. Dr. Sharma is instrumental in postgraduate pathology training in South Pacific Island countries and serves as an examiner for FRANZCR. Beyond medicine, he delves into holistic studies, including Vedic, Hindu, and yogic knowledge, advocating for integrative medicine and sharing spiritual insights.
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GOPIO Queensland Inc, the Queensland chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, illuminated the night with an unforgettable Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner at The Westin Brisbane on April 19, 2024, in support of the Iconic India Day Fair. The event was a resounding success, owing to the generous support of sponsors, the presence of esteemed dignitaries, and the captivating performances that enthralled the audience.
