Suva – For two decades, members of the Fiji Sevashram Sangha have shown the strength of your faith through service to your fellow Fijians. Your countless acts of compassion have had an impact too wide to capture in words. But to put it simply: Your commitment to service is exactly how great societies, and great nations, are built. Your work makes us all proud to call ourselves Fijians.

These were the words of Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama during the launch of the commemorative stamp for the Fiji Sevashram Sangha marking 20 years of service to the Fijian people.

Prime Minister Bainimarama added “In the spirit of Swami Pranavananda’s teachings, this organization’s legacy is not constrained by the chain of slumber. You have defined yourselves through your actions; by taking Fiji forward through education, the arts, and philanthropy. Your principles are universal. You have supported Fijians, not based on who they are, but rather on the difficulty of the circumstances that they face. Because regardless of our faith and regardless of the way we worship, Fijians know what is right, we know what is wrong, and we know we must do what we can to aid those who need our help.”

The Head of Government also took time out to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Sevashram Sangha in assisting those vulnerable communities especially those who were recently affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Ana. He stated “regardless of our faith and regardless of the way we worship, Fijians know what is right, we know what is wrong, and we know we must do what we can to aid those who need our help.”

The Prime Minister also stated that as members of the organization, their charitable work is invaluable and their combined effort to confront this global crisis with the urgency it demands is commendable.

“Throughout history, we have seen quite clearly – and at times, quite painfully – the absolute imperative of unity among all Fijians. We have suffered the folly of division along ethnic, religious, and provincial lines. And that experience has shown us the immeasurable value of the common and equal citizenship all Fijians share today. It has taught us that we must move forward as one nation, one people, together, leaving no one behind. And the work of your organization has served as a pillar of solidarity in support of the united Fiji we know today,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Sevashram Sangha, Mr. Shri Virsukh Lal commended the Head of Government for his visionary leadership and sincerely thanked him for his continuous support towards the oragnisation.

The Sevashram Sangha also commemorated the 125th Birthday of their celebrated founder – Swami Pranavananda Maharaj.