PRIME MINISTER HON. SITIVENI RABUKA'S 2025 DIWALI MESSAGE

My fellow Fijians,

Today, as we gather to celebrate the Festival of Lights — Diwali — I extend warm greetings to our Hindu brothers and sisters, and indeed to every Fijian who embraces this sacred occasion of light, love, and togetherness.

Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya – a journey of righteousness, endurance and the triumph of light over darkness.

The people of Ayodhya lit rows of lamps to welcome him home — a symbol of truth overcoming deception, of hope triumphing over despair, of unity over division.

In Fiji today, this story carries deep meaning. As we celebrated Fiji Day just days ago, we reaffirmed our shared purpose — to build a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation. Diwali now calls us to continue that journey by nurturing the light within us — the light of truth, compassion, and justice.

Our nation like many others, face challenges that tests our resolve: the rise in the drug crisis, the spread of HIV infections, and the lingering divisions that sometimes keep our communities apart. But even a flicker of light can break through darkness. Each of us holds the power to illuminate a path forward.

The principles of the Ocean of Peace — peace, unity, forgiveness, and inclusive progress — find true expression in the meaning of Diwali. This is not just a festival of lights, but a call to action: to bring healing where there is pain, dialogue where there is stubbornness, and unity where there is division.

It is our collective duty to each other – as parents, as teachers, as elders and as youths – that each of us has a significant part to play in bringing the light of hope, truth and unity into every corner of our society.

The Festival of Lights is a time of self-reflection. We must look within and confront the darkness of selfishness, resentment and indifference. We must open our hearts to understanding, humility, and kindness.
My fellow Fijians – our diverse and vibrant communities are the very fabric of our nation and the source of our greatest strength, making us a rich and resilient family. This is at the core of our strategic personality.

We cannot move forward in prosperity if any member of our community is left behind be it due to poverty, addiction or prejudice. To those individuals and families who have experienced injustices because of our past political upheavals and who still carry the pain of those divisions – your stories matter. The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission now exists to hear you.

And as we embark on the work of the Constitutional Review Commission, I urge all citizens to take part in our review for the 2013 Constitution. Your voice, your hopes, and your vision for our future are vital. Let this process be guided by light — not by fear or blame, but by courage and shared conviction.

So tonight, as the lamps of Diwali flicker across our islands, let each flame remind us of our responsibility – to be bearers of light in our homes, in our communities and in the journey, we’re now taking as a nation.

Let us ensure that good prevails over evil.

Let us be the light that binds our islands with love, unity and justice.

And let us walk boldly towards a future where all Fijians thrive – together, in the full light of dignity, equality and faith that Fiji’s brightest days are still ahead.

Happy Diwali to you all. May the festival bring light into your lives and may God bless our beloved Fiji.

Vinaka Vaka Levu, Dhaanvayaad and Thank You.