• The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Jone Usamate
• Honourable Members
• The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Your Excellency Gitesh Sharma
• The President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji, Shri Jay Dayal
• The Dean of the College of Engineering, Science and Technology, Fiji National University, Dr. Kandasami Angamuthu
• Distinguished guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction:

Good morning, ni sa bula vinaka, salaam alaikum, namaste.

I am honoured to join you this morning to open the Second Fiji National Hindu Conference.

I only arrived in Suva late last night after a week-long visit to the secondary schools in Lomaiviti and Lau to continue awareness on HIV and Aids. The awareness programme is part of Fiji’s response to the aids epidemic. The ultimate goal is to help save the lives of our young people and to also eliminate all forms of stigma and discrimination against persons affected by HIV/aids.

Yoga leads to a healthier, happier and longer life-span:

I accepted the invitation to be part of the Hindu Conference because, like the HIV/Aids awareness programme, I can envisage the practice of yoga leading to a healthier, happier and longer life-span for Fijians.

I am pleased that this conference aims to demystify the practice of yoga as a purely Hindu dharma, or an activity restricted only to those who practice Hinduism. Whilst it may be correct to think that yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, it is a misconception to associate it only with Hinduism.

Yoga or meditation has been known to be practiced in many countries around the world for thousands of years. It is known by different names, but it is considered an ancient and time-tested ritual that helps in the overall health and well-being of the practitioners.

Yoga is a universal art practiced by millions of people the world over for health and relaxation. Its benefits include having a focused mind and a healthier, stronger and more vibrant and versatile body.

Essentially, this is achieved through specifically regulated breathing techniques; the calm recollection and the channeling of one’s mind and thought-process towards a certain purpose; and among other things, the adoption of bodily postures that help exercise the muscles and improve the health of the internal organs.



UN Declaration of International Yoga Day:

The United Nations recognizes the benefits of yoga and has dedicated a day for the world to celebrate it. It declared that international yoga day shall be celebrated on 21st June. This declaration was done only on 11 December 2014, so i thank the Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji for its quick response in organizing this year’s conference to coincide with the first international yoga day. Fiji could very well be among the first countries to observe the United Nations’ Declaration.

Benefits of yoga to the health and wellbeing of Fijians:

The practice of yoga is particularly important for Fiji because, like many Pacific Island Countries, Fiji has a very high prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The world health organization reported in 2014 that NCDS are the leading killer diseases in the Pacific accounting for over 75 percent of deaths, with a correspondingly high number of pre-mature deaths.

On 15 April this year, I officiated at the 11th Pacific Health Ministers’ Meeting at the Shangri-La resort on Yanuca Island. I encouraged the policy-makers on health to seriously consider improving the health and wellbeing of pacific islanders. I told them that what used to be rare occurrences 20 or so years ago – like high NCD related deaths, amputations and the like, are now sadly everyday occurrences.

In all these, i suggested that the challenge must be taken on vigorously by governments in the region as well as by civil society organizations and the private sector. We must work in unison and coordinate our efforts with development partners to help address the numerous health-related issues in the Pacific.

We now have every reason to believe that yoga could be a plausible solution. It is a proven method to improve health and wellness. And, it is also very economical as people can practice yoga in the comfort of their own homes without the need for complex or expensive training equipment. All they need is a clean towel or mat to practice on and a willing mind and heart.

But before that simply start – as most people in Fiji and in the South Pacific should – by getting off their backsides, putting gym shoes on and daily going for a short walk in the fresh air to shake the cobwebs out as well as to shake the excess fat off and clear the mind. Remember a short walk – for health purposes – goes a long way.

Yoga and Ayurveda or traditional medicine:

I am advised that yoga can have an even greater impact on one’s health if it is practiced in conjunction with Ayurveda or the use of traditional or herbal medicine.

Ayurveda or traditional medicine is not at all new to Fiji or the Pacific. Our ancestors have been using herbal medicine since time immemorial. And they have had much healthier and enduring lives than our current generation.

I can see a lot of commonalities between Ayurveda and the use of traditional or herbal medicine by Fijians and Pacific Islanders. It is encouraging, therefore, to note that this Conference aims to share knowledge and experience in this area.

I also notice and I appreciate the focus on youth participation in the conference. Much like the HIV/Aids awareness programme which involves the young people in the most vulnerable age group, I take personal satisfaction to see youths taking part in activities that will lead to a healthy, enjoyable, safe and secure future.




Religion and religious freedom as foundations to a stable society:

Even though the conference is tagged as the Fiji National Hindu Conference, I am told that the focus of this conference, similar to the previous one, is not specifically religious in nature. I am reliably informed that the conferences are for charitable purposes, and are largely meant to create awareness and to encourage the participation of a wide cross section of society in important and often life-enhancing and life-saving events.

Notwithstanding this, as Fiji’s Head of State, I wish to continue emphasizing the provision in our Constitution that allows individuals the freedom to practice a religion of his or her choice, whilst at the same time contributing positively to the overall good of the nation.

Our Constitution not only promotes religious freedom, but it importantly decries all forms of discrimination on the basis of one’s religion. In this context, religion and religious freedom are very important foundations to a stable nation.

Support for the practice of yoga

I wish to conclude by thanking the Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji for dedicating this year’s conference to an activity that could very well be part of the answer to a healthier, happier and longer life for all Fijians. It is for these reasons that I fully support the practice of yoga.

May all the participants in this year’s Conference find greater meaning and satisfaction in your deliberations.

Thank you, vinaka vakalevu, sukria, bahoot dhanyavaad.


END.