FORMER Civil Service permanent secretary and Fiji’s Ambassador designate to Japan Parmesh Chand was laid to rest at his home in Nukuloa, Ba, yesterday.
Mr Chand was farewelled by family members, relatives, community leaders and a government delegation led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Mr Rabuka said Mr Chand was a proud carrier of the noble banner blue until his final days.
“He was about to become a member of the Foreign Affairs family and as such he will be missed by all of us who knew and had the opportunity of working closely with him,” said Mr Rabuka.
“PS Chand began his term in the Fiji civil service in 2003 when he served as chief executive officer for the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
“He entered the service at a time when the Government was under the late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and had his sights on corporatisation and privatisation.
“From December, 2006, he served as a permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and also held the position of permanent secretary of the Civil Service.”
Mr Rabuka said Mr Chand re-entered the civil service as PS for Public Enterprises and Civil Service following the general elections in 2022.
“During his time as permanent secretary for Civil Service between 2022 and 2025, PS Chand was instrumental in leading several public service reforms and initiatives.
“These included the establishment of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service and the reestablishment of the Higher Salaries Commission, and policies aimed at improving civil service retention.”
Mr Rabuka said Mr Chand had touched so many lives who would stand as an enduring legacy of his leadership.
“Given his experience after having served as permanent secretary for two previous governments, PS Chand understood the civil service very well and it was an appointment that he took on with an open mind and an open spirit.
“His desire to serve Fiji on the diplomatic front was to have fulfilled his longstanding goal to ensure Fiji’s footprint is visible in the Asian continent.
“PS Chand faithfully carried out his duties to the fullest extent of his abilities.”
Mr Chand passed away on July 25. He is survived by wife, Renu, and three children.
