For Jai Ram Reddy, principles and ethics came first before short-sighted political gain.
National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad shared this while delivering a eulogy at the former NFP and Opposition Leader’s funeral in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday.
“History reminds us that Mr Reddy paid the price, as others who opposed him successfully placed political expediency before principles and fairness,” he said.
Prof Prasad said Mr Reddy believed in sacrificing for the common good of all Fijian people and for the peace, progress and advancement of the nation.
“Indeed, he made huge financial sacrifices to pursue a sense of true nationhood.
“At one point in time, he was in charge of the biggest and most prominent law firm in the country.
“But he gave it up because he didn’t believe in paying lukewarm attention or mere lip service to what he had set out to do politically – to restore equality, dignity and justice for all our people.
“And let us not forget the true mark of leadership.
“At the darkest time, at the lowest ebb after 1987, Mr Reddy did not leave. He did not quit.
“He stood his ground and fought. He fought for equality, he fought for justice and fairness, he fought for democracy.
“And together with (then prime minister) Mr (Sitiveni) Rabuka, they succeeded in achieving a milestone.
“Mr Reddy fought using his unique, outstanding gifts — his wisdom and intellect, his vision, his power to reason and his power to persuade.”
Prof Prasad said Mr Reddy had an enduring spirit of forgiveness and understood that if Fiji was to have a brighter future, it could not stay tethered to an unhappy past.
“This is the enduring mark of this great man.
“This is the legacy Mr Reddy has left us.
“And this why he will never be forgotten.”
Mr Reddy passed away on August 29 in New Zealand.
He was 85.
