As Fiji celebrates its 55th Independence Day, it must look forwards not backwards, academic says

An eminent Fijian academic says the nation must focus on the future as it celebrates the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain.

The tenth of October in 1970 was a defining moment in Fiji's history and marked the end of the country's status as a crown colony.

The then-Prince Charles was in Suva for the grand ceremony at Albert Park, alongside the nation's first Prime Minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

Today, King Charles sent a letter to Fiji's president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, on the eve of this year's celebrations.

"The close ties and friendship between our two countries and people are an enduring gift which we must continue to invest in and cherish," he wrote.

"Fiji is a trusted advocate and a respected global voice amongst island states as our global family seeks to navigate the challenge of combatting climate change and reducing nature loss. It is my profound hope that, together, we can address this most defining and pressing issue of our time."

The King said he hoped to return to Fiji in the future.

The coalition government has released archival footage of Fiji's Independence Day on its Facebook page.

That day Ratu Mara, the man known as the "Father of Fiji", accepted the instruments of independence from Prince Charles and told the packed crowd that Fiji's links with the Crown were treasured.

He stood, clapped his cupped hands four times as a sign of respect and began a moving speech.

"Today is a proud day for us all, today day we assume the control of our own destiny and take on full adult responsibilities, after a long period of tutelage."

He told the crowd that Fiji's multi-culturalism was its strength.

"We are a community of races, with different cultures, customs and languages. But the things that unite us far outnumber those in which we differ," he said.

Ratu Mara said he was confident Fiji, as a small country, could show the world an great example of harmony and progress.

Fiji's flag was hoisted for the very first time at 10am, to cheers and applause from the crowd.

Five and a half decades later, Fijians joined together on Friday at Albert Park to celebrate the historic day.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the day was one of peace, unity and progress for all.

"We do not celebrate independence as a single moment in history, we celebrate it every day, in the choices we make, the values we live by and the future we build together. Fiji Day is a reminder of who we are."

He said the nation was grounded in faith, tradition and modern ambition and described Fiji this way;

"A Pacific beacon of peace, democracy and progress. Let us stand together not as iTaukei or indo-Fijians, not as urban or rural dwellers, not divided by faith but as one people under one flag with one vision."

Friday's festivities kicked off with a march from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park , where civil servants represented their ministries, dressed in blue.

There was a 21-gun salute by the military, a parade inspection and a presidential salute.

Distinguished professor Steven Ratuva of Canterbury University says while the anniversary is symbolic, for many it is just another day.

Looking back, he describes Ratu Mara as an idealistic politician, typical of the era.

"He's just one of those idealists, particularly in the 1970s there was a lot of idealism, in the time of the cold war and the new independent states. It's very much part of political speeches anyway, political speeches which are not idealistic are boring."

Ratu Mara instilled optimism into the people about Fiji's future.

"With newly-independent states you have to give optimism to the people and speeches are made for the purpose. And if the future turns out to be different ,nobody could predict that, but at that particular point in time the speech has to be seen in that context."

However Fiji went on to witness four coups in twenty years, two in 1987, one in 2000 and the last in 2006.

Convicted former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was head of Fiji's military when he staged the fourth coup.

He deposed the late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and became Prime Minister in 2007.

However, Bainimarama returned Fiji to democracy with a general election in 2014.

Mr Ratuva said Fiji must focus on the road ahead, going forward.

"You can't turn history around, you just have to move ahead and see what's the pathway forward in terms of what is required moving ahead."

Fiji's largest indo-Fijian Hindu organisation says it is focussing on the future with optimism and pride.

Dhirendra Nand, the president of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha , says he is humbled by the progress Fiji has made since independence.

His religion teaches that the whole world is one family, he said.

"We truly live this principle, people of different races, religion and background share this beautiful land as one family, respecting each others beliefs and cultures. I think this is the strength of Fiji and the foundation on which our progress stands."

He said all branches of the faith were celebrating Fiji Day in different ways.

"Some are organising sports events to mark this day, some are visiting prisons and hospitals to meet the unfortunate to share the word of peace, love and prosperity."

The organisation is positive about the future, he said.

"We are leaving the past behind, I think we are making good progress as far as our future is concerned. Our organisation is working together with the government of the day to see that we achieve what we call Fiji the way the world should be.

"We need to care for each and we need to respect the law, we need to protect our environment. And let us all get together, all the sons and daughters of Fiji, rededicate ourselves to these values so the next 55 years will be even brighter than the last," he added.

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was the Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992.

He later served as President from 1993 to 2000, before he died in 2004, aged 84.