Reflecting on Vijendra Kumar’s enduring legacy, I turned to his 2016 publication, “A Fiji Diary, Reminiscences and Reflections of a Newsman.” His narratives stand out for their clarity and simplicity, mirroring his intellectual prowess and historical awareness.
I vividly recall Vijendra’s emphasis on concise storytelling. It was mid-1978, in the editor’s office of The Fiji Times on Gordon Street. I was a recent UK university graduate, while he had helmed the paper since 1975.
“Have you heard of the inverted pyramid?” he asked. Startled, I admitted I hadn’t. He explained, using his hands to illustrate: the crucial details—when, where, what, why, and how—must come first. Subsequent sentences should build the story, with the least critical information at the end. This method ensured that editors could trim the story from the bottom without losing essential elements, catering to readers’ time constraints.
My seven-year tenure at The Fiji Times began then, leading to newspaper management roles and eventual sub-editing at the Canberra Times. I owe much to Vijendra for these foundational lessons.
Others from those early days likely share my sentiments. Under Vijendra’s guidance, we thrived. His support garnered our loyalty.
Reading his 2016 reflections, it’s evident Vijendra still bore the weight of Fiji’s post-colonial struggles and the turbulent coup years. He admired Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, often siding with him during industrial disputes. Yet, he also feared Mara’s wrath, recounting occasions when the PM’s shouts were so intense he had to hold the phone at arm’s length.
In 1987, Vijendra witnessed the Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, being jeered at Suva Town Hall. He tackled accusations about Ratu Mara’s inaction during the coups, asserting that the powerful wave of Fijian nationalism would have crushed any opposition.
Understandably, Vijendra embraced Frank Bainimarama’s reforms for equality in Fiji, likening him to Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings. However, one wonders if he fully grasped the regime’s extremities.
Summarizing his 21 years at The Fiji Times from 1969 to 1991, Vijendra described them as thrilling. He noted that the 1987 military coups exerted immense pressure on the media, resulting in routine harassment and intimidation of journalists. The altered environment, marked by five years of frustration, ultimately drove him to leave.
In his reflective moments, Vijendra expressed gratitude for his life but often lamented the loss of loved ones. “The purpose of life is to remember,” he said, suggesting that collective memories preserve knowledge crucial for humanity’s pursuit of perfection. His memories, he mused, were just a drop in the vast ocean of knowledge.
Yet, Vijendra’s influence endures. The ripples he created continue to expand across that ocean. We will remember him.
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