Nonagenarian Tulsi Ram has seen many changes in time and has many memories, some he cherishes dearly.
We caught up with 95-year-old senior citizen who holds many fond memories of Fiji during the colonial days.
“At the time there were only two local shops in Nadi that stitched clothes during my young days. The roads were mostly empty and unsealed back in the days.”
Mr Ram said a lot of changes took place over the years and it was almost like living in a new age.
“There is about 90 per cent difference of the Fiji during my teenage years and now it is almost like a new country.”
He said people now were better educated with better opportunities in life which was something they could only dream of in the colonial era.
“I managed to study until Class 5. My father lost his vision when I was a young boy and he told me to stay at home and work on the farm.
“I wonder what I could have become if I had continued with my studies.”
Mr Ram said he vividly remembered the days when the construction of the Nadi International Airport took place and that he used to walk to the site every day
from Sabeto.
“I must have been only 16 years old when the construction of the airstrip was taking place and we used to receive 30 cents as our daily pay.”
He said he was a jack of all trades, but was a farmer throughout his active life.
“I’ve been farming for about 80 years. We used to grow paddy, sugar cane, vegetables and many more crops.”
Mr Ram followed in the footsteps of his parents and is a strict vegetarian.
“My parents were vegetarians and I have also maintained the same eating habits.”
He urged youngsters to build on their own road to success rather than relying on anyone.
“Young people should be focused in everything they do and place things in order to lead a successful life.”
Mr Ram lives with his son, daughter-in-law and a grandson in Votualevu, Nadi.
