GCC World

There is a buzz of activity in Vasanthnagar, an up market locality in Bangalore as I make my way for an interview with Torika Naiyaga, Gardenia International Fijian of the Year, moments after the monsoon rains have made a relentless assault on the city as if mocking its preparedness for such an eventuality. Wading through the late evening shoppers and traffic in the narrow by lanes of the neighborhood, all that is at the back of my mind, is a quick return to the safe confines of my room for a cup of hot steaming cardamom tea.

Unfortunately for my host Torika, there is no room to harbor such thoughts. This is destined to be another long drawn day at work in the service of the international student community. There is preparation to be made for the night long vigil at the nearby Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital where a student awaits a surgical intervention. Back in the house, a batch of enthusiastic newly arrived students from her home country wait eagerly to get further instructions from their mother figure. The international students' graduation day fete is on the cards that require her organizational skills. But she is not complaining. In fact, she is delighted to have been able to shoulder the myriad responsibilities away from home.

“I love it here,” she enthuses. “Life has given me so much and I can only thank my parents and sponsors who made my sojourn possible.”

Hailing from Lautoka, a three hour drive from the capital of the Fijian capital, Torika is the recipient of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship.

According to Torika, not much is known about the tiny islands that make the pacific paradise in the sub continent, something she fails to comprehend. Besides the love for sports such as rugby and golf, the people are fun loving, hospitable

and there is Indian influence everywhere. “Forty one per cent of the slightly over 8 lakhs population that comprise people of Indian origin, many of them descendants of the indentured laborers who were brought to work in the sugar plantations.”
Lautoka, ensconced in the western region of Fiji Islands is known for its sugar plantation and splendid sugar mills, Not surprising, the city till recently was the pillar of the Fijian Islands economy- producing sugar for domestic use and export to neighboring countries in the pacific realm-but has since been pushed to second slot by tourism.

“I think I have been able to handle the pressure associated with academics and leadership positions because of the frenetic years of schooling back in Fiji.”

It was a childhood of active sports life –athletics, volleyball and netball - and helping out at home where her parents are engaged in business. “This has been an extension of the work,” informs Torika, the reigning Bangalore University Shot Put champion with three consecutive Gold Medals to her name.