Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Vishvas Sapkal, said yesterday they were still awaiting the appointment of the new director of the Indian Cultural Centre in Suva.

Currently, the Second Secretary (Hindi) of the Indian High Commission in Fiji, Anil Sharma, is holding the post.

Mr Sapkal said the 54 Fijians who went to India under the ‘Know India Programme’, represented Fiji at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

“Out of 54 participants, 42 participants were youths,” he said.

This was the first time a group from Fiji was represented at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated in India on January 9 every year to mark the contributions of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.

“The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Bombay on January 9, 1915.

“This year the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru from January 7-9,” he said.

Mr Sapkal said more than 25 per cent of the participants were from Fiji.

“The youths had very good interaction with other participants at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas,” he said.

“This will definitely strengthen the bond between India and Fiji.”a

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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