It is with profound sadness that I pay my last respect and tribute to a wonderful person, our father, grandfather, great grandfather, a friend and Puntid Ji who touched lives of so many, near and far. Let me thank you for coming to what we hope will not be an occasion to mourn but an opportunity to celebrate life lived long, 80 years and 10 months.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your support over the last few weeks, for your Prayers and good wishes, for your messages of sympathy and condolences, for the floral tributes and for standing by the family at this hour of need. I would like to thank Dr Parmesh Kavoor , Mrs Arun Narayan and the entire team of doctors and nurses at the Westmead Hospital who have shown extraordinary kindness throughout the course of the week which is greatly appreciated.

Prasad family which comprises of Karuna Gautma & family, Arun Prasad & family, Sashi Prasad & family, Rakesh Prasad & family, Sushma Sharma & family, Pt Awindra Prasad & family, Rajni Prasad & family would like to express their personal acknowledgment and gratitude to each and everyone of you.

Our father Pundit S N Hari Prasad Ji was a very special person. I have heard so much praise from family, friends and people around the globe. I was told dad was a lucky man…your mum was such a beautiful women. Both faithful to Lord and now they are back together in Heaven.

Pundit Ji, Shri Shiv Narayan Hari Prasad was born in Nadi Fiji on 29th November 1928. He was educated at  Nadi Sangam School, Andrews Government Nadi,  Natabua High School Lautoka,  Nasinu Teachers College in Suva and  University of South Pacific. By profession he was a School Teacher and he taught at many schools all around Fiji. He taught for 36 years, most of the years holding post of responsibility.

In 1973 he was promoted to Master Class One which was the highest promotion one could get in the profession those days. Our father was also a very dedicated social worker. He was a member of the Boys Scout Movement in Fiji where he served for 22 years. He was amongst the first few to get Wood Badge in Fiji, in recognition of his service to the Scout Movement.

He was a member of Red Cross and served as a Welfare Officer at Navua Fiji during 1964 – 1966. He was very actively involved with the Hindu Society in Fiji and served as the Vice President from 1982 to 1983. He was one of the Foundation Members of Fiji Council of Social Services. Dad was very actively involved with the St John Ambulance Brigade in Fiji.

He was a Lay Lecturer and Headquarters Staff Officer for many years. In his capacity as the Staff Officer Headquarters, father commanded annual parades consisting of Army, Police, Prison Officers and Nursing divisions for two Governor Generals of Fiji (Ratu Sir George Cakabau and Rau Sir Penaia Ganilau.

For his loyal and dedicated service our father was awarded with the Long Service Medal of the Order of St John and in October 1985 and he was made a Serving Brother of the Order of St John by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

FIELD OF SPORTS: Dad represented Lautoka, Suva and Nadi in Inter District Hockey Tournaments. He was the official Coach for DAV Boys’ College Team from 1957 to 1962. He was also a Weight Lifting and Boxing enthusiast. I am told he did fight in the ring during his College days. He was also actively involved with many other sporting groups and remained a Life member of numerous sports club in Fiji.

UNION ACTIVITIES: Dad served Fiji Teachers Union in various capacities, both at Branch and National levels for several years. He was co-ordinator for several of Fiji Teachers’ Union seminars including the one organised by the World Confederation of Organisations of the Teaching Profession.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Dad was a Member of Hindi Primary Group from 1969–1985. The Hindi Readers by the Group for years one to six is still being used as text books in Fiji. He also served as Secretary and then President for Regional Young Farmers show committee for several years.

Fiji Road Safety Council 1976 – 1987: Served in various capacities before being promoted as Fiji’s Road Safety Promotion Officer. He prepared and presented special programmes on Road Safety through Fiji Broadcasting Commission to the people of Fiji.

In Australia Dad continued to be very actively involved in social work and was instrumental towards encouraging many others to join hands towards providing service to Humanity.

LIDCOMBE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY: He served as Assistant Secretary for 10 years. Dad received several Awards for his dedicated service in this area.

WESTERN DISTRICTS CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP He served as Treasurer for 9 years.

LIONS CLUB OF Lidcombe: Dad served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Club. He was recipient of several awards, medals including international Presidents award for his dedication and service to Humanity. In 1996 made one of the Zone Chairman in the Lions District.

Fiji Indian Social and Cultural Association of Australia (FISCA): He served as Chairman of Education Committee for numerous years and was the Patron of the Association.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE: He was a JP since 1990 in Australia and provided his service at all times at various locations on voluntary basis.

ARYA SAMAJ: Dad was the Founder and First President of Vedic Pratinidhi Sabha and Arya Samaj of Australia Incorporated.

ARYA RATNA: Title of Arya Ratna was conferred for exceptionally valuable contribution to Arya Samaj.

He was also Minister of Religion for Vedic Rites and a Marriage Celebrant who was registered to conduct Marriage ceremonies anywhere in Australia.

Discourses and Publications: Dad was a regular contributor providing discourses for broadcast in Radio Navtarang. He also provided articles for publication in various magazines in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Despite all these activities, Pundit Ji still had a lot of time for his family. He worked extremely hard to raise his seven children and children of many parents who had either passed away or found it difficult to educate them.

Today all my brothers and sisters are very proud that we were born in a family with Pundit Ji as our father and late Lila Wati Prasad as our mother. We have achieved a lot in our lives with their blessings and guidance and we do not have words to say how thankful we are to both of you. So it is with great sadness and great love ladies & gentlemen that we say goodbye and Namaste to this amazing man, our Father, who taught us so much, who shared with us his love and taught us how to love one another and the importance of family.

Pundit Ji, on behalf of all your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, all your friends, relatives, your students all around the world and everyone present here, its time to bid you farewell.

Namaste Pundit Ji and May God Bless your Soul and May you always rest in Peace.