Notwithstanding the criticism expressed in some quarters from time to time over the current regime of Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, the approach to future is one of hope and not despair.
Such was the mood at the launch of a book on Jai Ram Reddy, one of the most influential and successful personalities in contemporary Fiji.
Sir Paul Reeves, former Governor General of New Zealand and currently Commonwealth Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Fiji said that he disagreed with the direction of the present administration in Fiji.
“But sometime soon, fundamental and far reaching decisions will have to be made about Fiji’s Constitution, the whole issue of freedoms and responsibilities and about the way in which the country conducts its affairs,” he said.
Sir Paul was speaking at the launch ceremony of In the Eye of the Storm, a book written by Dr Brij Lal, Professor or Pacific and Asian History at the Canberra based Australian National University on October 30.
About 200 people, including 30 overseas visitors were present at the event held at Lynfield Boys College in Auckland.
Prominent Fiji businessman Vinod Patel and Y P Reddy each purchased 90 copies of the book and donated the money respectively to the Friends of Fiji Health Foundation, New Zealand and the Fiji Crippled Children’s Society based in Lautoka, Fiji.
The picture appearing here shows Sir Paul in conversation with Mr Reddy taken for Indian Newslink by Columnist Thakur Ranjit Singh. His report on the Book appears on Page 26.
