brad brace contemporary culture scrapbook

March 26, 2008

Sikhs Thrive In Fiji

Filed under: fiji,General,global islands — admin @ 5:01 am

Fiji has a dedicated and thriving Sikh community. From 1900- 1930 Sikhs from Punjab came to the Fiji Islands and became involved in farming, especially the sugarcane industry. The Punjabis have established themselves irreversibly, firmly and successfully in Fiji. The colorful and distinctive culture of the Punjabis have indeed contributed to the variety and attractiveness of Fiji.

There are five Gurdwaras in different parts of Fiji. They also have one Kindergarten, three Primary schools and one Khalsa College. There are about 800 members in the Sikh community in Lakoutta and about 1,500 in Fiji.

People of Indian descent have settled in Fiji for over 130 years and now constitute over 350,000 people. Most Punjabis arrived in Fiji during early 1900’s.

In Fiji however, the earliest Indians were brought over to the Fiji islands in by the British. They were brought to the Fiji Islands by the British Raj in India under 5 year term, but when they arrived in Fiji they were forced to work do menial labour for the Europeans.

March 20, 2008

Copra Biofuel Project

Filed under: fiji,General,global islands,resource — admin @ 6:43 am

Coconut oil is a local resource that is abundantly available in Fiji and especially in the rural coastal communities. While it has for years it has traditonally priovided food and shelter, its is now being used to generate electricity. This is through a specially designed generator that utilizes coconut oil as its primary fuel source 90% – 95% of the total running time of the generator.

Two such communities that are greatly benefiting from the coconut biofuel programs are Lomaloma, Naqara and Sawana villages in Vanua Balavu and Welagi village in Taveuni. The projects were setup through DOE – Secretariat of the Pacific Community(SPC) cooperation and technology provided by CIRAD Fance through French Government funding.

The Ministry of Agriculture (Taveuni Coconut Centre) and Public Works Department(Electrical) were vital partners in this project implementation and not to mention the four villages that are now part of the project.
Yearly inspections are carried out on the project sites for repairs and training of technicians to run the generators.

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