INTRODUCTION
JOURNEY OF GANGAMMA
I feel proud and am privileged indeed to be asked to write the introduction for Aunt Gangamma Naidu (Maasi). When translated into simple English, Gangamma means holding of the Great Holy Ganges River that flows and gleams merrily from the peak of the Everest through the plains of Northern India ending into the Bay of Bengal of the Indian Ocean. Thus, Gangamma is that loving lady who resembles that great river that makes her journey from the base of Nakauvadra Range, a village called Wailevu in Fiji, through the Kings Road into Kaba Street in Tamavua Heights in Suva then crossing the vast Pacific Ocean to peacefully land in beautiful Bellbowrie in Brisbane, Australia. What a joyous journey!
Gangamma has been a devoted daughter, a successful student, a faithful friend, a wonderful wife, a memorable mother, a gracious grandmother, a clever colleague, an effective employee and a perfect present partner of a person she chose to spend rest of her life. She has made a joyful journey of her life that she so meticulously narrated for the readers. I have known her from the days whilst I was a student at the Fiji School of Medicine and feel delighted to introduce her jovial and pleasant journey to the readers.
Gangamma became the aunt of almost all the students because she had the heart of gold and was always willing to assist us to make our student life a lot more enjoyable. Without doubt she is a unique individual because she knows and understands what her kind of generosity means for the people she serves. People who associated with her always admired her art and science of patience and kindness.
She gets respect of people around her because she respects them and she is very compassionate. She has shown us to stop, look and listen before using our words and taking any action. This has been an idea that helped us meet success in our profession and we thank her very much for her contributions at work, home and the community.
Gangamma N Prasad, as she is now known, has very carefully culled her various life stories and called it Journey of My Life, which makes a pleasant and interesting reading from the beginning to the end. The episodes narrated in her journey would certainly fit into history of a variety of important events and would be treasured by people who had come in contact with her during this eventful journey.
Finally, I congratulate her for her courage and effort to produce this historical presentation that would make an excellent reading for everyone. I have much pleasure in presenting this publication by a lady that has served the community and the people with great pleasure, dedication and tender loving care.
Jai Shree Krishna.
Dr Dip Chand, A/Prof, MBBS, DMDR, DHCP, DAnat, DCH, FRACGP, FARGP AFRACMA, FACCRM, FAIM, aFCHSM,
MAICD.MAAPM, Brisbane, Australia.
