Sitting quietly in the serene atmosphere of the Fiji Museum, Pardeep Chand reminisces about a life characterized by unexpected turns, ambition, loss, and a deep-seated gratitude. Now 69, Chand grew up in a bustling household in Korociriciri, Nausori, among six brothers and four sisters, where sharing was a way of life but love and joy flourished within the family.
His educational journey began at Korociriciri Primary School, eventually moving to Jai Narayan College, formerly known as Indian High School. As a young boy, while dreaming of becoming a lawyer, his aspirations shifted with time, leading him to seek a scholarship at the University of Melbourne to study business. “When I received the scholarship, it was a happy day in my life. I always told my mother my second option was to become a businessman if law was too hard for me,” he reflects.
During his time in Australia, Chand worked diligently, spending hours balancing classes and a job at a car dealership. Yet, the allure of financial independence ultimately led him to leave university after two years to accept a full-time position with CJ Patel. This decision, he shares, was one he approached with mixed emotions, acknowledging, “When we are young, we think money will last forever, but some things we do too quickly can change everything.”
Returning to Fiji after five years abroad, he began anew: marrying, raising three children, and working as a bus driver for KR Latchan. This chapter of his life was filled with fulfillment and happiness, particularly following his conversion to Christianity, which gave him the strength and perspective to appreciate life’s blessings. “That was when I truly started to understand what it means to receive blessings,” he noted.
However, tragedy struck when he lost his first wife. After remarrying, he faced the heartbreak of losing his second spouse as well. “Losing someone you care about once is painful, but losing two is something more heartbreaking,” he expressed, illustrating the emotional toll of such losses.
Chand’s faith in friends took a further hit when a supposed business partnership resulted in the wrongful transfer of his property, leaving him homeless. After enduring the heartbreaking experience of living with relatives and eventually finding temporary shelter at a bus stop, his fortunes began to change when he met a former government minister who facilitated his placement in a nursing home.
Now living at the Valelevu nursing home for the fourth year, Chand finds contentment in his current situation. “Life did not go as I planned, but I am still thankful,” he says, reflecting on the little joys he cherishes – the laughter of fellow residents, their camaraderie, and the peace that acceptance has brought him.
Chand’s remarkable resilience mirrors the stories of others like Ram Mahesh and Uday Singh, who embody the human spirit’s power to overcome adversity. Mahesh, despite personal loss, successfully built a life as a market vendor, while Singh, despite health challenges following a leg amputation, has remained dedicated to his work with fervor.
These narratives emphasize that while life may not unfold as originally envisioned, embracing each day with gratitude, love, and connection fosters hope and renewal in the face of life’s unpredictable challenges. Chand’s journey serves as a testament to keeping a spirit of resilience and positivity, inspiring others to find joy amid adversity.
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