For many years, numerous Fijians have aimed to transform their nation while walking through the country’s revered Parliament. However, Fiji’s political landscape has been marred by conflict, most notably due to three coups. Despite this tumultuous history, the nation has produced many remarkable leaders.
One such individual is Harish Sharma, a lawyer turned politician. He eventually became the leader of the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Opposition leader. After the 1987 general elections, he held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and also served as the Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Information.
At 92 years old, Mr. Sharma is among the last surviving politicians from a bygone era. To share his life story, he has written a memoir with contributions from close friends and family, which includes the late Vijendra Kumar, the first local editor of The Fiji Times. The memoir is entitled “Road to Parliament: A Glimpse into the Life of Hon. Harish C. Sharma” and chronicles his distinguished career.
During the memoir’s launch at Jai Narayan College in Suva, NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad emphasized that every descendant of the girmitiya holds a unique story, reflecting their struggles and achievements, regardless of their size. This narrative extends to Mr. Sharma, who highlighted that many mistakenly believe he was born into privilege.
In reality, Mr. Sharma’s story mirrors those of many Indo-Fijians, beginning with the arrival of their ancestors from India as indentured laborers. He recounts how both sides of his family were brought to Fiji to work on sugar cane plantations. His paternal ancestors hailed from Chandpur, Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, and his grandfather was born onboard a ship in Fiji’s waters in 1888.
After returning to India, his grandfather relocated to Fiji in 1912, where he and his family worked as indentured laborers in Sawani, Rewa. By 1918, they obtained residency status and established their home in Sawani. Following the death of Mr. Sharma’s grandmother, his grandfather and father raised the family.
Mr. Sharma’s memoir describes his grandfather as a devoted caretaker who educated his children despite financial struggles in priesthood. He noted that his father and uncles did not receive a formal education but became well-versed in Hindu religion and culture thanks to their grandfather’s teachings.
On his maternal side, Mr. Sharma’s grandparents were from Basti, India, and had five children, including his mother, Balraji (Bachhi). Born in May 1932, Mr. Sharma lost his mother when he was just a year old.
He poignantly shared that he has no photograph of his mother and has carried the heartbreak of not knowing her throughout his life. Following her death, family discussions led to his upbringing being entrusted to his maternal grandparents since there was no adult female in his father’s home. Thus, he was raised by them and experienced a loving home environment.
Six months after his mother’s passing, his father remarried Phul Mati, who provided him with the same love and care as his biological siblings. Mr. Sharma reflects that despite the absence of formal education, the nurturing provided by his family left him “happy and comfortable as any child.”
Next week, readers can look forward to learning about Mr. Sharma’s educational journey and political career.