For many years, numerous Fijians have aspired to transform the nation’s governance, traversing the esteemed corridors of Fiji’s Parliament. However, political turmoil, exacerbated by three coups, has traditionally characterized Fiji’s political landscape. Despite these challenges, the nation has been home to some remarkable statesmen over the decades.
One such figure is Harish Sharma, who initially trained as a lawyer before entering the political arena. Mr. Sharma assumed leadership of the National Federation Party (NFP) and took on the role of Opposition Leader. After the 1987 general elections, he served as Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Information.
At 92, Mr. Sharma stands as one of the few remaining politicians from a bygone era. To share his life experiences, he collaborated with close friends and family, including the late Vijendra Kumar, the first local editor of The Fiji Times, to pen a memoir titled “Road to Parliament: A Glimpse into the Life of Hon. Harish C. Sharma.”
The memoir was launched at Jai Narayan College in Suva, where NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad emphasized that every descendant of the girmitiya has a unique narrative of struggle and achievement. He noted that this extends to all the communities of Fiji, including indigenous iTaukei, Indo-Fijians, Europeans, Rotumans, Melanesians, and the Chinese.
Mr. Sharma himself addressed a common misconception that he was born into privilege. On the contrary, his narrative is representative of many Indo-Fijians, beginning with the arrival of their ancestors from India under the indentured labor system.
In his memoir, Mr. Sharma recounts how both sides of his family were brought to Fiji as laborers on sugarcane plantations. His paternal great-grandparents, Tulsi Ram and Parbati, hailed from Chandpur, Uttar Pradesh. His grandfather, Jamuna Prasad, was born on the Hereford ship while it was in Fiji waters in April 1888.
Although his great-grandparents ultimately returned to India, his grandfather came back to Fiji with his wife and young son, Pratap Chandra Sharma, who later became Mr. Sharma’s father. The family arrived in Fiji in July 1912 and worked as indentured laborers in Sawani, Rewa. By 1918, they were free residents who chose to settle in Sawani.
Following the passing of Mr. Sharma’s grandmother, his grandfather and father became the family’s pillars. Mr. Sharma’s memoir describes the tremendous sacrifices made by his grandfather to raise and educate his four children with limited financial resources.
He notes, “Baba (grandfather) brought up, looked after and educated all his four children at great personal sacrifice and through the meager earnings of priesthood.” He also reflects on the hardships faced by his father and his siblings, stating that they received no formal education but became well-versed in Hindu teachings and literature thanks to their grandfather’s guidance.
On his maternal side, Mr. Sharma’s grandparents, Gayadin Maharaj and Gangajali Maharaj, were from Basti, India. They had five children, including Mr. Sharma’s mother, Balraji. Mr. Sharma was born in May 1932, shortly after his parents’ marriage. Tragically, his mother passed away when he was just a year old, leaving him without any memory or photograph of her.
Following her death, family members decided it would be best for Mr. Sharma to be raised by his maternal grandparents, since there were no adult women in his father’s household to care for him. He describes this experience as a heartfelt adoption, receiving love and care from a different family setting than his biological siblings.
About six months after his mother’s passing, his father remarried Phul Mati, who embraced him as her own and raised him alongside her biological children. Mr. Sharma conveys that despite not having formal education, his maternal grandparents provided him with a loving upbringing, allowing him to thrive happily as any child would.
Next week, the exploration will continue into Mr. Sharma’s schooling and political journey.