Author: admin_fijitimes

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Women’s Conference Jai Swaminarayan! It is a pleasure and privilege to be here today at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Women’s Conference. This gathering is not only deeply spiritual, but also inspiring, as we celebrate the visit of His Holiness, Mahant Swami Maharaj (Maa-hunt Swami Maha-raaj), and the shared values of peace, prosperity and progress. This conference is significant and symbolic, coinciding with International Women’s Day. This year’s themes —“Accelerate Action” and “March Forward”— are an international call for us to continue to drive meaningful change with dedication and determination. It reminds us that progress does not happen…

By Indranil Halder An Evening with the Author : It was a warm and vibrant summer evening in Sydney when I had the pleasure of meeting author Swati Dey at her beautifully adorned residence. As I stepped inside, I was welcomed by the delicate fragrance of fresh blooms from her garden. On the coffee table sat her latest novel, REVENGE, alongside its Bengali counterpart, Protihanan. A large red rose from her garden placed with bell metal jug beside them—a touch of elegance that reflected the author’s refined taste. Swati Dey greeted me with her characteristic warmth, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm as…

Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day International Cricket after top-scoring in Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against India on Tuesday. Smith told teammates after the match he would retire from ODI cricket immediately. He will continue to be available for Tests and T20 Internationals. Smith departs the format as one of Australia’s most accomplished and enduring ODI players. After making his debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Smith went on to play 170 ODIs scoring 5800 runs at 43.28 including 12 centuries and 35 half centuries and took 28 wickets at 34.67.…

The large cohort of first-year Pacific students at the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau is a step in the right direction to increase the number of Pacific academic scholars. Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau and her team welcomed 72 Pacific scholarship recipients to the University with an event at the Fale Pasifika ‘Anau ‘Aiga on 26 February. She shared with the crowd that with 473 Pacific first-year students entering the University (an increase from the previous semester) the awarding of a scholarship was an outstanding result. “This is an outstanding achievement, I personally want to congratulate you… taking a…

In a powerful display of dedication, 1,400 people from across Australia and New Zealand have memorised 315 Sanskrit verses in a bid to preserve and promote the ancient language and its profound wisdom. Manav Patel said, Sanskrit is not only one of the oldest languages in the world but has strongly influenced many modern languages, including English. “Its impact can still be seen in words we use every day, like ‘karma’, ‘yoga’ and ‘guru,” Mr Patel said. “These words and many others, have become a part of the English language and demonstrate how Sanskrit continues to impact modern speech.” Sanskrit…

Local residents aged 55 and over are in for a treat with the City of Parramatta rolling out an exciting line-up of activities for this month’s 2025 NSW Seniors Festival. The annual event will celebrate the valuable contributions of local seniors with an array of free and low-cost activities, from iconic film screenings and world-class theatre to guided tours and fitness programs across our Libraries, Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC), PHIVE, Riverside Theatres, Active Parramatta and Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said it was important to give back to the seniors in…

Dr. Rattan Virk has become the first Sikh woman to secure a federal ticket from the Liberal Party in Australia. As the federal elections could be announced anytime, political parties are actively unveiling their candidates. The Liberal Party of Australia, the main opposition party, recently selected Ratandeep Kaur Virk as their candidate. Federal opposition leaders, including Peter Dutton, gathered in Stanhope, a suburb in western Sydney, to inaugurate their parliamentary office.

The multi-year partnership agreement adds YouTube Publishing   Tips Music Ltd and Sony Music Publishing today announced an expansion of their successful global publishing partnership by adding YouTube (worldwide, excluding India) as a key platform for international publishing exploitation of Tips Music’s vast catalogue. This strategic renewal reinforces both companies’ commitment to amplifying the global presence of Indian music, particularly as Bollywood soundtracks continue to gain momentum in international markets. The deal encompasses administration, synchronization, and expanded promotion of Tips Music’s rich repertoire across global digital platforms. Guy Henderson, President, International said “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with Kumar…

New South Wales Breaker Tahlia Wilson has been named the WNCL Player of the Year following a stellar 2024-25 season. The opener amassed 667 runs at 60.63, with two centuries and two fifties, and is nearly 100 runs clear of the competition’s next highest scorer. Wilson’s brilliant WNCL campaign includes a career-best 142 against the ACT Meteors in the penultimate match of the regular season, which paved the way for a crucial 42-run win by New South Wales. The award completes an individual domestic double for Wilson who was also named the T20 Spring Challenge Player of the Tournament in…