COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF FIJI HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARDS OF FIJI

COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF FIJI, HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARDS OF FIJI

PRESIDENT OF INDIA IN FIJI; HOLDS BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI

FIJI CONFERS ITS HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD - COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF FIJI ON PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU

ADDRESSES FIJIAN PARLIAMENT; SAID INDIA WILL CONTINUE TO STAND SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER WITH FIJI AND OTHER OCEAN STATES FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

ADDRESSES INDIAN COMMUNITY IN FIJI; SAID WE SEE OUR OVERSEAS INDIAN COMMUNITY ACROSS THE WORLD AS IMPORTANT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE JOURNEY OF BUILDING THE INDIA OF OUR DREAMS

COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF FIJI

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu reached Suva, Fiji on August 6, 2024 from Nadi where she landed  on the first leg of her State Visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste.

 She was received by the Prime Minister of Fiji,Siti veni Rabuka  at the airport and accorded ceremonial welcome. 

This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Fiji. President Murmu is accompanied on this visit by Minister of State Shri George Kurian, and Lok Sabha MPs Shri Saumitra Khan and Shri Jugal Kishore. 

A traditional welcome ceremony was organised for President Murmu in the presence of the Prime Minister of Fiji. Subsequently, the President visited the State House where she was warmly received by President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere of Fiji. 

The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the India-Fiji relationship. 

The President said that India remains committed to strengthening our relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), among which Fiji is an important partner. 

At the State House, the President of Fiji conferred the highest civilian award of Fiji - Companion of the Order of Fiji - upon President Droupadi Murmu. 

President Murmu also witnessed the progress of the 'Solarisation of Heads of State Residences' project, an Indian initiative which was inaugurated in February 2023. 

In the next engagement, the President addressed the Parliament of Fiji. The President said that despite the vast difference in our size, both India and Fiji have much in common, including our vibrant democracies. 

She assured the Fijian parliamentarians that as a close friend and partner with rich experience of fostering democracy at the grassroots level, India stands ready to partner Fiji at all times. 

President Murmu added that today, Fiji is recognized around the world for its growing contribution to our common efforts, focused on two major global challenges - climate change and addressing human conflicts. 

Whether it is shaping the global dialogue on climate change or voicing the concerns of the ocean-states, Fiji has been contributing immensely to the global good. India greatly values and applauds the increasingly prominent role played by Fiji around the world. 

The President said that the rest of the world has much to learn from Fiji, including the gentle Fijian way of life, the deep-rooted respect for traditions and customs and an open and multicultural environment. 

She was happy to note that India-Fiji cooperation in various sectors continues to grow from strength to strength. 

The President said that as a powerful voice of the Global South, India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Fiji and other ocean states for climate justice. 

In the subsequent engagement, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji called on President Droupadi Murmu.

 The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to build upon the historic ties and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. 

The President said that India is committed to deepening its development partnership with Fiji, with a focus on building climate resilience and development of clean and renewable energy. 

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also presided over a ceremony for handing over of documents for allocation of project sites for (i) High Commission of India Chancery and Indian Cultural Centre Complex, Suva and (ii) 100-bed Super Speciality Hospital, Suva. 

The President also addressed an enthusiastic gathering of the Indian diaspora community. 

She said that the determination and resilience of the 'Girmitiya' indentured laborers who came to Fiji 145 years ago, and flourished in their new motherland against all odds, is a source of great inspiration to the world. 

The President said that we see our overseas Indian community across the world as important partners and stakeholders in the journey of building the India of our dreams. 

The President also visited the National War Memorial in Suva to honour the memory of martyred soldiers.

 She also visited Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, where she paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. 

In the last official engagement of the day, President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere of Fiji hosted a Reception in honour of President Murmu at State House, bringing together eminent Fijians from all walks of life.

 In her remarks on the occasion, the President thanked President Katonivere, Prime Minister Rabuka and the Government and people of Fiji for the warm welcome extended to her. 

Key points

President Droupadi Murmu has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji, the highest civilian honour from Fiji recognising the strong India-Fiji ties. This recognition comes during her historic visit to the island nation, marking the first time an Indian President has travelled to Fiji.

• The President of India acknowledged the contributions of the Indian diaspora, particularly the Girmitiya laborers, and emphasized the importance of overseas Indian communities.
• The word 'girmitiya' is derived from 'girmit', meaning 'agreement'. Indian indentured labourers transported to places like Fiji and Mauritius were known as 'girmitiyas'.

• Though girmitiyas were not technically slaves, they were subjected to "blackbirding" (deceiving or tricking people to work as slaves or poorly paid labourers).
• Fiji, a country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It surrounds the Koro Sea north of Auckland, New Zealand. It comprises over 300 islands, with only about 100 inhabited.
• It is known as the "soft coral capital of the world," Fiji boasts over 4,000 square kilometres of vibrant coral reefs.
• Sugarcane was a major economic driver for Fiji for many years.
• Fiji is a parliamentary democracy, its population is a mix of Indigenous Fijians, Indians, Europeans, and other ethnicities. Fiji is home to the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple.

South Pacific Ocean

The South Pacific Ocean is a vast body of saltwater located in the Southern Hemisphere, south of the equator. It encompasses a significant portion of the Pacific Ocean and is characterized by numerous islands, including New Zealand, as well as unique geological features like the East Pacific Rise. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Location and Boundaries: 

• The South Pacific Ocean lies south of the Equator, extending southward towards Antarctica.
• It's bordered by Southeast Asia and Australia to the west, South America to the east, and the Antarctic region to the south.
• It includes the Tasman Sea and the Coral Sea, as well as numerous islands.

Key Features:

• New Zealand:

The three main islands of New Zealand are a prominent feature of the South Pacific. 

• East Pacific Rise:

This is a mid-ocean ridge where new oceanic crust is formed. It contributes to the formation of volcanic island chains like those in French Polynesia. 

• Subduction Zones:

The Australian plate subducts beneath the Pacific plate in certain areas, leading to volcanic activity and the formation of islands like Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. 

• South Pacific Gyre:

This is a large rotating ocean current system characterized by relatively low biological productivity and an accumulation of floating debris (the South Pacific garbage patch). 

Geological Activity: 

• The South Pacific is characterized by active geological processes, including volcanism and tectonic plate movement.
• The East Pacific Rise is a major source of new crust, and its westward movement over hotspots has created many volcanic islands.
• Subduction zones, where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, also contribute to volcanic and seismic activity in the region.

Importance:

• The South Pacific plays a crucial role in the global climate system. 
• It contains diverse marine ecosystems and island environments. 
• The region is home to various countries and territories, including Australia, New Zealand, and many island nations in Oceania. 

 

Coral Reef

A coral reef is a diverse underwater ecosystem characterized by coral polyps, which are tiny marine animals that build reefs by secreting a hard, calcium carbonate skeleton. These skeletons accumulate over time, forming the structure of the reef, which provides habitat for a wide array of other marine life. Coral reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea" due to their high biodiversity. 

Source- Internet