Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Professor Biman Prasad, has praised the Arya Samaj movement for its unwavering commitment to education, social justice, and the preservation of cultural identity, calling its 150-year legacy “a beacon of progress, moral values, and unity.”
Speaking at the 2025 Arya Convention at DAV Girls College in Suva, Professor Prasad acknowledged the profound contributions of Arya Samaj to Fiji’s education sector and its role in shaping the country’s social and political landscape.
“You may be small in number, but your reach, your impact, your influence has been great,” he said, applauding the Arya Samaj’s visionary role in establishing schools and even a university that have uplifted generations of Fijians.
Professor Prasad also reflected on the movement’s historic roots dating back to 1875 in India and its establishment in Fiji in 1918, noting that the values championed by its founder, Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, remain deeply relevant today—particularly in advancing women’s rights, freedom of religion, and equal access to education.
Hon. Prasad reaffirmed the government’s support for the Arya Samaj’s educational initiatives, including additional funding for the University of Fiji and a proposed Centre for Hindi Studies. He also emphasised the government’s broader commitment to restoring vernacular language education, strengthening health infrastructure, and tackling critical issues like drug abuse and youth empowerment.
He concluded with a message of unity, encouraging greater collaboration between civil society, faith-based groups, and the government to “improve the quality of life for all people.”
“This celebration is not just about looking back; it’s about shaping the future with the same courage, clarity, and commitment our forebears showed,” he said.
The convention, themed “150 Years of Arya Samaj’s Contribution Towards Social Reform, Vedic Education, and Unity,” brought together hundreds of members and dignitaries from across the country to honour the movement’s enduring legacy in Fiji.