Retired civil servant Pradeep Chand, who has officiated numerous marriages throughout his lengthy career, emphasizes that love, understanding, and respect are essential pillars for a successful marriage. Now a pastor at the Hope Church in Lautoka, Mr. Chand shares his insights on the significance of incorporating spirituality into marital life.
“A house is not a home until there is God present; with God, love naturally follows,” he states. Understanding one’s spouse is crucial, he believes, reflecting both modern challenges and timeless values that sustain marital relationships.
With 34 years of service at Fiji’s Public Works Department and later the Department of National Roads, Mr. Chand’s professional journey showcases his dedication and resilience. After starting as a chainman technician in 1986 and navigating through various roles—including being seconded to the Commissioner Western’s office and the Registrar General’s office—he retired having made a meaningful impact in his field. This diverse experience has added depth to his understanding of commitment—both within professional and personal realms.
Married since 1985 to his childhood sweetheart, Mr. Chand is a father of three and recounts the most memorable marriage ceremony he conducted, which involved an elderly couple in their seventies. Their story exemplified enduring love and the desire for family connection, as they married late in life to be closer to their children living abroad. This heartfelt ceremony left a lasting impression on Mr. Chand, highlighting the importance of trust, forgiveness, and mutual respect, which he feels are increasingly absent in contemporary marriages.
Mr. Chand expresses concern about the modern landscape of marriage, lamenting the fading moral values and noting that children’s rights are sometimes pitted against parental authority. He advocates for a reevaluation of familial roles, urging the need for legal frameworks that better support both parents and children.
Reflecting on the decline in marriage rates in Fiji, where young adults are gravitating towards education and career aspirations over traditional commitments, Mr. Chand’s perspective aligns with broader societal shifts, as noted by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua. This shift may signal a positive turn towards establishing relationships founded on deeper understanding and mutual respect rather than societal pressure.
As Fiji navigates these changes, Mr. Chand’s insights provide a hopeful narrative that highlights the possibility of nurturing harmonious relationships through love, understanding, and respect, thereby encouraging future generations to build stable and fulfilling partnerships.
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