As the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam Fiji prepares for its centennial anniversary in April next year, India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, has praised the organisation for its pivotal role in shaping the country’s cultural and educational landscape.
FOUNDED and established by Sadhu Kuppuswamy in 1926 to promote the language, faith, and culture of South Indians in Fiji, Mr Mehta says the Sangam’s creation is in harmony with the timeless words of Mahatma Gandhi: “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
The diplomat said he has had the privilege of attending many Sangam events, each occasion reaffirming his “admiration for this remarkable organisation”.
The high commissioner’s comments underscore the significance of the organisation’s ambitious ‘Road to 100 Years’ campaign, a chain of events dedicated to “Love, Light and Faith,” honouring the past, energising the present, and inspiring the future.
A key highlight of the campaign was the Sangam World Cup 2025, held in Lautoka from October 30 to November 2.
The Indian diplomat was the chief guest at the jersey presentation for the Nadi Sangam snooker team prior to the start of the tournament, reinforcing the strong bond between sports and community engagement.
”Over the decades, TISI Sangam’s contributions have gone far beyond cultural preservation,” Mr Mehta said.
He noted that Sangam Fiji’s network of schools, the nursing college, and community institutions have served as pillars of learning, compassion, and identity — nurturing young minds and strengthening Fiji’s rich multicultural fabric.
A central part of the centennial mission is the restoration of the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi and the Sri Raja Maha Mariamman Temple on Howell Rd in Suva.
To ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship, Sangam Fiji has engaged master artisans from Tamil Nadu, India for the work.
Further deepening this cultural link, the head priests and some assistant priests at both the Nadi and Suva temples are themselves from Tamil Nadu, ensuring that the sacred rites and traditions are maintained with authenticity.
The restoration work at the Nadi temple is nearing completion, with the skilled craftsmen scheduled to move to Suva once final touches are complete.
This major undertaking stands as a sacred symbol of Sangam’s enduring legacy.
To further engage youths in the centennial spirit, the organisation is running academic and creative competitions.
These include essay writing, poster design, and digital art contests, all aimed at encouraging students to reflect on the organisation’s history, values, and future.
Furthermore, a Charity Queens contest is planned, featuring contestants from Sangam’s five high schools, ensuring the schools are integrated into the ‘Road to 100 Years’ milestone.
The magnificent Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi has become a potent symbol of the cultural link.
As the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, it has welcomed historic visits by high-ranking Indian Government officials.
These visits include:
-The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu (August last year);
-India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar (February 2023);
-The Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Sh Pabitra Margherita (May this year); and
-The chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of India, Justice V Ramasubramanian and his wife (November 10).
These visits, Mr Mehta said, underscore the deep value the Government of India places on the Indo-Fijian community.
“The relationship between India and Fiji is more than diplomatic. It is cultural and deeply personal,” he noted.
Reflecting this bond, the High Commission of India, in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Education and TISI Sangam Fiji, launched Tamil language classes in November 2024 at Penang Sangam High School in Rakiraki and Labasa Sangam Primary School.
This initiative, employing two Tamil language teachers from India, aims to revive a language that had nearly faded after more than 80 years.
This initiative earned high praise from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally commended the Indo-Fijian community on his radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, for its dedication to preserving Tamil culture.
Mr Mehta also highlighted Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s historic visit to India, which deepened partnership across multiple sectors under the banner of Veilomani-Dosti.
Cultural outcomes include India’s commitment to depute a Hindi-Sanskrit teacher to the University of Fiji, and a program to train Fijian pundits, with those from Sangam Fiji participating and visiting India for the International Gita Mahotsav.
Mr Mehta expressed his deep appreciation to TISI Sangam Fiji national president Parveen Kumar Bala and CEO Jai Narayan for their leadership in advancing the proud tradition of service, unity, and cultural preservation.
The grand centennial anniversary celebration will coincide with the annual Sangam Convention and is expected to draw thousands of members from Fiji and abroad to Nadi during the Easter weekend in April 2026.
AVINESH GOPAL is TISI Sangam Fiji’s communications and publicity officer.
