Two women unknown to each other, both with babies in their arms, stood at Albert Park in Suva on October 10, 1970 to witness the historic event.

Fifty years later, Noor Jahan Begum and Lorine Tevi were given the 50th Anniversary of Independence Commemorative Medal by President, Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote at the State House yesterday.

For Ms Begum, she had made the journey to Albert Park with her six-month-old son and her husband from 10 miles.

“Those days we had to do that. I was still living with my in-laws and they were skeptical that I should take my son,” Ms Begum recalled.

“We walked from the bus stand, reached Grand Pacific Hotel, found a tree and sat there as we waited for the ceremony to start.”

Coming from a family of 12 children, Ms Begum was grateful that her father was able to put her through school. For Ms Tevi, she was one of the pioneers in the setting up of the Methodist Lay Training Centre in Davuilevu.

She was in front of the grandstand with her eight-month-old son, Fei.

He was present at the medal ceremony yesterday. She said she saw the Union Jack go down and Fiji’s flag raised. She said Fiji had progressed as a sovereign nation in the last half century.

Ms Tevi was also recognised by the Vanuatu government where she was awarded a medal during their 40th Independence anniversary in July this year.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj