Here we are, 54 years on as an independent nation!
There are moments in history that we as a nation must place great value on.
So whatever your take is on this date, we say today is a very special day for Fiji!
We mark our independence from Great Britain.
As always, we reflect on this day, back in 1970, when we were given the opportunity to chart a path forward as a new nation.
Today we can reflect on how we have done so far. We can look back at the years that have gone by and ponder on many questions.
Are we in a better position now than when we were back in 1970, or pre-Independence?
The years have unfolded many life-changing events for Fijians.
We’ve had coups, in 1987, in the year 2000 and in 2006.
We had a mutiny at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces base in Nabua, Suva, and we were rocked by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020.
We’ve had natural disasters over the years that hurt us, yet we were resilient.
And who can ever forget that monster Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016? Or years of media suppression?
We are not immune to the problems of the world, and like every nation on the planet, we are afflicted with shortcomings.
In the face of all these events, we should be reminded about three significant events that happened in October, 1970.
At sunset on October 9, the Union Jack was lowered for the last time in a moving ceremony at 5.30pm, at a packed Albert Park in Suva.
The flag was lowered by Regimental Sergeant Major Isoa Vakaciwa and the orderly officer was Captain Isimeli Bainimara.
There was respect and a sense of nostalgia. It was afterall, the end of an era.
The moving ceremony, the sounds of the Last Post, and beating retreat left an indelible impression on the minds of all those in attendance.
This old military tradition once marked the moment when troops ceased fighting, and withdrew from the battlefield to their camps at sunset.
Colours and standards were cased and flags lowered.
This first significant event marked the closure of a chapter for Fiji.
The next day, on October 10, Prince Charles read a message from the Queen and handed over the constitutional instruments that declared our independence.
Then there was the raising of the noble banner blue, our new flag, announcing our independence.
That was a special moment in our history. There were many reasons to smile, cheer, and be proud.
Let’s face it, when you cut out the negatives, Fiji is a lovely country to live in.
We are far removed from the volatile regions of the world where there is bloodshed and death!
We live in a country that long ago accepted multi-racialism!
Despite our differences in ethnicity and religion, and whatever else one cares to consider, we walk the same streets, eat at the same restaurants, visit the same malls and shop at the same supermarkets, and we even ride the same buses and minivans, and watch movies together, and we love our Fijian Drua and national sides, never allowing our differences to come in the way of our peaceful co-existence.
We are neighbours and share the joys of tradition and culture. We celebrate special days because we have grown up appreciating the differences that exist in our beautiful nation!
We hope you will consider the impact of this day back in 1970, and the sacrifices made to take that first bold step on the path to independence.
Despite our flaws, we can still try to be a beacon of hope for others.
So let’s continue to put aside our differences and dedicate ourselves to lifting our nation to great heights.
United, we have the power to build a better Fiji together, for ourselves and for our future generations.
We value the role of the media, and today, we embrace its significance in our history.
Let’s reflect on the freedom we have as Fijians, to express ourselves and not fear retaliation or being arrested and intimidated!
Let’s talk about the freedom to understand and be aware of issues that affect us, and make decisions that are good for us moving forward.
As a news organisation, we have watched our nation develop over more than a century.
So we say, let’s celebrate today and mean what we say when we call ourselves Fijians.
We wish all our readers a happy, safe and memorable Fiji Day wherever you are in the world.
