Prof. Biman Prasad pointed to Fiji’s strong economic recovery, with 4% growth in 2024, $5.8 billion in investments, and rising investor confidence.

The national recognition celebrates Dr Singh’s leadership, research excellence, and steadfast commitment to ensuring a safer food supply across Australia.

The seven Fijian participants are also exploring historical landmarks and experiencing India’s cultural diversity firsthand through organised state visits and cultural tours.

From muted Diwalis to WhatsApp calls across time zones, Shilpa Taneja Wason’s evocative poetry captures the quiet ache of migration and memory.

“In any functioning liberal democracy — be it Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Canada — this would be unthinkable.”

“All of us belong to the greatest country on Earth, and all of us can take pride in a national story written by the courage of our people.”

“So much disgusting, despicable racism in majority of comments here.”

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged diaspora members to document the inspiring stories of their predecessors, such as the Girmitiya community, who had journeyed to distant lands, turning challenges into opportunities.

Dr Jaishankar’s visit to the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi last year highlighted the importance of promoting the language and culture of the Indian diaspora in Fiji.

Four candidates, Sandi Mitra, Mallika Raj, Pradeep Sornaraj, and Amardeep Singh, stood out for their fresh approaches to politics, prioritising social change, inclusivity, and community engagement.