Salutations
- The President and Executives of TISI Sangam;
- Sangam leaders and members;
- Government Representatives;
- Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
- Distinguished Guests;
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni sa Bula Vina’a, Namaskaram, Vanakkam, and Namaste to you all.
Introduction
- Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we gather today, ki Navatulevu vua na Momo Na Tui Nadi.
- We honour their leaders – past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge their stewardship within the Vanua and remain grateful for their custodianship over their lands, waters and resources. We remain deeply appreciative of their custodianship, which continues to sustain both community and nation.
Centennial Reflection
- To appreciate the significance of this day, we must look back a century to an evening in May 1926, on the banks of the Nadi River, where a small and humble gathering met beside the original Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple, unaware they were shaping history.
- They were the descedants of the Girmitiyas without material wealth, power, or influence, yet rich in language, faith, and an unbreakable belief in unity. They understood that divided they would remain vulnerable but united they could secure a future for their children, even if they might never live to see it themselves.
- From that gathering emerged the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam, founded on dignity, belonging, education, and unity. Today, standing close to where that vision began, we remain the living testament to their courage, sacrifice, and hope.
HONORING SADHU KUPPUSWAMI
- Among that modest gathering by the river stood Sadhu Kuppuswamy, a man whose life would come to embody the hopes of an entire community. Arriving in Fiji in 1912 and enduring the realities of indenture, he understood hardship deeply and recognised the injustice of a people denied education and voice. When his indenture ended, he chose a life of service, travelling tirelessly to awaken a scattered community to the belief that ignorance was not their destiny.
- He believed that unity and education were the foundations of dignity and progress, knowing that while one strand may break, many bound together create strength. He laboured not for recognition, but for a future he might never see.
- As we commemorate 100 years of the Sangam, we honour not only an institution, but a legacy of leadership grounded in sacrifice, service, and long-term nation building.
Education, Inclusivity, and the Sangam Way
- The Sangam was founded on a simple yet transformative belief: that education is the most enduring means of overcoming hardship. Its founders understood that land may be taken, and wealth may fade, but the power of an educated mind cannot be extinguished.
- Yet what truly set the Sangam apart was the spirit in which this commitment was pursued. Though established to uplift South Indians in Fiji, it was never shaped by exclusion but guided instead by a generous and outward‑looking sense of service.
- From its earliest schools, it welcomed students of all backgrounds, reflecting a model of inclusive development and social cohesion that remains central to Fiji’s national identity.
- This commitment to openness, cultural pride, and shared progress has ensured the Sangam’s continued relevance and its recognition today as a pillar of Fiji’s education system and nation-building journey.
Renewal, Youth and Cultural Continuity
- This year’s centenary theme, Love, Light, and Faith, is not merely an expression of aspiration; it has been a living reality reflected across the breadth of Sangam activities throughout this commemorative year.
- This centenary year has seen a renewed sense of purpose and pride from the “Road to 100 Years” initiative that reached even the most remote communities, to the energy and enthusiasm of the Sangam World Cup. Notably, our young people have shown that heritage is not a relic of the past but a source of strength for the future, embracing it with confidence through sport, culture, creativity, and storytelling.
- The revival of mother tongue education in Sangam schools further reinforces Fiji’s commitment to preserving cultural identity while strengthening our multicultural fabric. This is consistent with Government’s vision of a nation where diversity is not only respected but leveraged as a source of strength for sustainable development.
Educational Legacy and National Impact
- From a single seed planted a century ago has grown an institution of remarkable scale and impact. Today, the Sangam manages 21 primary schools, 5 secondary schools, 18 early childhood centres, and the TISI Sangam College of Nursing in Labasa, serving over 10,000 students nationwide. This growth reflects not only reach, but trust, as these institutions have remained open and inclusive, welcoming students of all backgrounds.
- Through this educational legacy, the Sangam has produced generations of skilled and principled citizens and affirmed a lasting truth: that education is the one form of wealth that cannot be diminished. In doing so, it has transformed a history of hardship into a future defined by opportunity, service, and shared progress for Fiji as a whole.
Service, Compassion and Nation Building
- The Sangam’s contribution has always extended beyond classrooms and institutions. Defined by service rather than buildings, its impact has been felt across generations, especially in moments of national trial, through the commitment of its professionals and its readiness to act where the need is greatest.
- In times of hardship, the Sangam has responded promptly and compassionately, offering support without hesitation or expectation. Through the work of its graduates, volunteers, and leaders, it has consistently shown that the true measure of a community lies in how it cares for its most vulnerable.
- For 100 years, the Sangam has demonstrated that national resilience is built not by institutions alone, but by people who step forward in service. By strengthening communities through action rather than words, it has reminded us that a united Fiji is sustained by everyday acts of care, responsibility, and shared duty.
The Next Century
- This centenary marks not an ending, but a beginning. As we reflect on 100 years of achievement, we do so with confidence that the Sangam’s greatest contributions may still lie ahead. To our young people, the responsibility now placed in your hands is profound. Shaped by the sacrifice and hope of those who came before and entrusted to you with confidence in your ability to carry it forward.
- The 1st century built firm foundations through education, faith, and community; the next must strengthen the bonds that unite us as a nation. To our young people, you inherit not only a proud legacy, but a responsibility—to apply your education, skills, and values toward the collective advancement of our nation.
- Aligned with Government’s vision for sustainable growth, social unity, and opportunity for all, the next century must build on the foundations of education, service, and shared purpose.
Closing Remarks
- As I look across this gathering today, I am filled with gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the pioneers whose resilience and values shaped this institution, and hope inspired by the promise of our young people who will write the next chapters of Fiji’s story. Let the century ahead be one of bridge‑building across generations and communities, so that we move forward together with no one left behind.
- As we celebrate this centenary, let us renew our commitment to the values that first brought a small group together on the banks of the Nadi River 100 years ago: service beyond self, integrity in action, and unity in purpose.
- On behalf of the Coalition Government and the people of Fiji, I extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to the TISI Sangam for a century of outstanding service and contribution to nation building.
- May the years ahead bring continued peace, understanding, and shared prosperity.
God bless the TISI Sangam, and God bless Fiji – Vina’a Va’alevu
