BY Shiu Charan, Past President of the Fiji Teachers’ Union and my high school and college mate and colleague.
Reading through the manuscript of the author Dr. Ram Lakhan Prasad, a collection of his thoughts, in his book “The Other Side”, I began to reflect and reminisce about our student days together, spending those fruitful and interesting years at Natabua Secondary School and a few valuable years at Nasinu Teachers’ Training College in Fiji. RL as we called him, conducted himself well and interacted with us as a great student and a helpful colleague.
We graduated as Primary School Teachers at the end of 1959 and were posted to teach in Labasa, Fiji from the beginning of 1960. During our close association of many years, it never occurred to me that RL would go through a big transformation and become such a prolific writer. Also he developed into a commentator of note, in various aspects of education and other issues of general interest for the consumption of the wider public.
First and foremost, RL’s intention has been to share his views on meaningful living as we grow old. He motivates the reader to make personal changes necessary, beginning with some serious contemplation and then followed by discipline and other appropriate actions.
I can recollect that from his early teaching days, RL’s inquisitive mind began exploring how the thought processes brought about changes in our life. Moreover, he indicates that changes in our temperament results from experiments carried out and their results in our journey of self-discovery. In the words of Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher this means, “Knowing your self is true wisdom”. Throughout this experimentation process in one’s life, the author admits that maturity takes place in stages often trying various options and finally reaching a logical answer. However, the author makes an important point that it is not necessary that all those going through this process, arrive at the same conclusion because as individuals, we all differ and so do our preferences.
There is no denying that change is a fact of life and it brings about growth in all important aspects of our mental, physical and aesthetic development. According to the author, this book is his last presentation of his thoughts and ideas, and he hopes it will appeal to all types of readers. Furthermore, he hopes the purpose of the book will be fully served, as reading it will result in positive changes, generating noble thoughts and bringing some comfort and satisfaction, in lives.
I complement Dr Ram Lakhan Prasad (RL) for his thoughtful presentation and may he receive the recognition he deserves in a form of wide readership.
Shiu Charan, Auckland, NZ.
Life of the Author: Ram Lakhan Prasad.
A chubby baby boy was born during the war
His birth made the family jump with joy
A lot of peace came home despite the war
December 27th 1939 was his day of joy.
He was raised in an extended family
Living on the farm gave him skills
By roaming the village he acted calmly
Sabeto and Natabua were his schooling mills.
When Ram Lakhan Prasad was young
He wondered everywhere he could
All that he approved was softly sung songs
And most of what he saw and got was good.
When he was growing up he was bold
By living a life that was beyond here,
He made the truth and beauty unfold
To the people who had gathered there.
He liked all that he had loved and seen
He practiced what he preached everyday
He promised to make his life all clean
He would persevere and won’t go astray.
Almighty God at his side would surely be
With good scriptures he will stand tall
There should never any blasphemy be
His home was to be blessed as prayer mall.
In his heart flicks the brightest light
His services and giving are all fair
He loves his internal might that is right
Glory of God provides him the glare.
The Lord would then answer his prayers
His mind is peaceful without any shame
He seems to know the faces of players
He knows them all by their name.
Lord Ram would befriend him then
Because his name is Ram too
He knows him as the best of men
That ever lived with the good crew.
Teaching was his forte and mission
Family life made him love all he had
To serve his people was his vision
Creative writing skill he also had.
He loved his family more than his life
His children were his mighty treasure
There’s nothing odd we saw in his life
He lived and let others live with measure.
All those who knew him well
His soul was free of all the sin
He holds the key to heaven as well
He will welcome those without sin.
This is the last and solemn jest
Of that weary man who wants to hide
He speaks his mind with words as best
Having spoken his words he will ride.
Then he will spread his weary wings
Then tread towards the sky for sure
He will have no doubtful things
To tell anyone who acted as pure.
When he is gone he should not be forgotten
His life was full of fun and he lived well
When he is gone he hopes it is not forgotten
His sins were none his books to be read well.
Many such men have come and have gone
Many would come and would go still
There would be none like this special one
This is the song he would sing with skill.
His true pillars of learning were old people
Grandparents and parents were good as gold
His early family life was one of its kind,
No one should turn an eye to him that is blind.
We should not only live and love our life; it should be celebrated and rejoiced as many of us do with pride.
Labasa Living during 1960 to 1963