Vivekanand Sharma

Vivekanad Sharma (1938 - 2006) was a Fiji Indian politician and religious worker but is best known for his promotion of the Hindi language in Fiji and abroad.

Early life

Vivekanand Sharma was born in Nadi, Fiji into a cane farming family. He had his primary education at Votualevu Government School and secondary education at Shri Vivekananda High School after which he undertook teacher training. He went to India for further studies and did his Bachelors and then Masters Degrees from the University of Delhi and PhD in Hindi Literature from Sardar Patel University. [ cite news|title = PANDIT DR. VIVEKANAND SHARMA 1938 - 2006|url=http://www.angelfire.com/me2/kulacoco/drsharma.txt ]

Contribution to Hindi literature

Sharma published a large number of books on Hindi and Hindu customs and culture. He was the founder and the President of "Hindi Maha Parishad" of Fiji (an organisation to promote Hindi), founder, Principal and the Manager of Maharishi Sanatan College. He was the Chairman of the Hindi Work Group of Curriculum Development Unit, Ministry of Education, Fiji. He was also the Hindi Programme Coordinator at the University of the South Pacific. [ cite news|title = Hindi language has a bright future: academic|url=http://www.sidsnet.org/pacific/usp/journ/docs/news/wansolnews/2003/2003September/wansol1509031.html ]

Political involvement

Sharma was an associate of A.D. Patel who kindled his interest in politics. He was the founder and President of International Youth Federation of the University of Delhi. He surprised everyone by standing as an Alliance candidate in the 1972 general election. He lost the election but was appointed a Senator by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and later he won the general election and became the Minister of State for Youth and Sports. He held Ratu Mara in high regard and wrote a book on him in Hindi. During the time of the Qarase Government he was a national member for his Indian Council of Fiji.

Religious activities

He was the founder of "Votualevu Tirth Dhaam" (Hindu Pilgrimage Centre). He served as the General Secretary and later as the National President of Shri Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji and as an advisor of Shri Sanatan Dharam Brahman Purohit Sabha of Fiji.

He died in Brisbane, Australia on 9 September 2006. [ cite news|title = Pundit Vivekanand Sharma passes away |url=http://www.fijitv.com.fj/index.cfm?go=tv.resources&cmd=forumview&cbegin=0&uid=fijionenews&cid=8880 ] He was cremated at Vatuwaqa Cemetery in Suva on Wednesday, 13 September 2006. [ cite news|title = Dr. Vivekanand Sharma's Funeral |url=http://www.fijilive.com/gallery/view_picture.php?cat_id=@400@&pix_id=14927 ]

External links

* [http://www.sanatanfiji.com/dr%20vivekanand%20sharma.htm DR. VIVEKANAND SHARMA 1938 - 2006: An authority on Hindi in Fiji]

References