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It’s been just over a month since the elections took place in Fiji and there is a certain anxious curiousity in the air, felt also by the diaspora.

The pain and trauma that was ignited in 1987 is still felt by many today, and it's hard not to see the irony of sorts - Fiji's new PM is the same man responsible for the 1987 coups. One of the immediate effects of 1987 was a mass migration of Indo Fijians to countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA.

The dust has not settled on the residue of the trauma caused by his actions but there seemingly is no other choice than to give him a chance.

Many hope that this chapter will be written differently than the previous chapters.

It feels like the apt time to retrospect and reflect. More people are openly talking about their experiences, and there is indeed residue to sift through: residue of the coups, residue of the past 16 years and the pertaining question of what it means to be Fijian.

The questions relating to cultural identity have remained persistent & relevant. The answers have been aptly researched and explored by many but the question of ‘what makes me Fijian?’, is one that I think can be only answered by the individual. In the day and age of saturated information, maybe it's time to collectively introspect and think about why for so many, this question is still hard to answer.

Today we’re joined by Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand: photographer, writer and top model of Fiji. She gives us an intimate insight into what it was like as an Indo Fijian woman in post coup Fiji while also being on the same front page as Mr Rabuka. Among other things, we discuss our connections to Fiji, societal norms, and whether or not there is a motherland for descendants of Indian indentured laborers.

About Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand

https://www.duskdevi.com/about_duskdevi

About the Global Indian Series:

My name is Rajan Nazran Chief Explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO) and liberal minds, because let’s face it, we are everywhere!

For over 15 years I have travelled across the globe deep diving into 60+ countries whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable 50 shades of brown community.

Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen – I have been there, looking for the ideas that re-shape a nation.

My purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the human experience of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, join in as we bring people and communities together.

Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together.  Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express through to the CNBC network.

How to get involved:

Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopaedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.globalindianseries.com

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Episode: 149

Presenters – Aaisha Khan & Rajan Nazran

Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth

Guest: Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand

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