arya samaj

1. The Arya Samaj was established on 7th April, 1875 at Mumbai,India by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati with the
purpose ofmoving the Hindu dharma awayfrom fictitious beliefs and back to the teaching of the Vedas.
The goal of Arya Samaj has always been “krinvantu vishvam aryam” ,that is, to make this world noble.The word Arya
means a noble human being – one who is thoughtful and charitable,who thinks good thoughts and does good actions
– he or she is an Arya.
Swami Dayanandji’s teachings became more and more effective and his followers grew.After the creation of the first
Arya Samaj in Mumbai on April 7 1875, others began to be formed wherever Swamiji went.The society gained
strength in Punjab.In the large as well as small towns and villages ofUttar Pradesh,Bihar and Rajasthan,italso got
a strong foothold.When there were enough Samajs all over the country they were broughtunder central institutions
in the differentprovinces.
Today, the Arya Samaj organisation is alive and sound in all parts of the world.In Australia,among various Samaj
organisations,the Vedic Pratinidhi Sabha and Arya Samaj of Australia Incorporated is doing marvellous work in
promoting the teachings ofSwami Dayanand Saraswati.
PunditJi, Shri Shiv Narayan Hari Prasad was born in Nadi Fiji on 29th November 1928.He was educated at Nadi
Sangam School,Andrews GovernmentNadi,Natabua High School Lautoka,Nasinu Teachers College in Suva and
University of South Pacific. By profession he was a School Teacher and he taught at many schools all around Fiji.He
taught for 36 years, mostofthe years holding postof responsibility.
In 1973 he was promoted to Master Class One which was the highestpromotion one could getin the profession
those days. PunditJi was also a very dedicated social worker.He was a member ofthe Boys Scout Movement in Fiji
where he served for 22 years. He was amongstthe first few to get Wood Badge in Fiji, in recognition of his service to
the Scout Movement.
He was a member ofRed Cross and served as a Welfare Officer at Navua, Fiji during 1964 – 1966. He was very
actively involved with the Hindu Society in Fiji and served as the Vice Presidentfrom 1982 to 1983. He was one of
the Foundation Members ofFiji Council of Social Services.Pundit Ji was very actively involved with the St John
Ambulance Brigade in Fiji. He was a Lay Lecturer and Headquarters StaffOfficer for manyyears. In his capacity as
the Staff Officer Headquarters,PunditJi commanded annual parades consisting ofArmy, Police,Prison Officers and
Nursing divisions for two Governor Generals ofFiji (Ratu Sir George Cakabau and Rau Sir Penaia Ganilau.For his
loyal and dedicated service Pundit Ji was awarded with the Long Service Medal of the Order of St John and in
October 1985 and he was made a Serving Brother of the Order of St John by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
FIELD OF SPORTS: Pundit Ji represented Lautoka,Suva and Nadi in Inter DistrictHockey Tournaments.He was the
official Coach for DAV Boys’ College Team from 1957 to 1962. He was also a Weight Lifting and Boxing enthusiast.I
am told he did fight in the ring during his College days.He was also actively involved with many other sporting groups

2. and remained a Life member ofnumerous sports club in Fiji.
UNION ACTIVITIES: PunditJi served Fiji Teachers Union in various capacities,both at Branch and National levels
for several years. He was co-ordinator for several of Fiji Teachers’ Union seminars including the one organised bythe
World Confederation ofOrganisations ofthe Teaching Profession.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Pundit Ji was a Member of Hindi Primary Group from 1969–1985.The Hindi Readers bythe
Group for years one to six is still being used as text books in Fiji. He also served as Secretary and then Presidentfor
Regional Young Farmers show committee for several years.Fiji Road Safety Council 1976 – 1987:Served in various
capacities before being promoted as Fiji’s Road Safety Promotion Officer. He prepared and presented special
programmes on Road Safety through Fiji Broadcasting Commission to the people ofFiji.
In Australia Pundit Ji continued to be very actively involved in social work and was instrumental towards encouraging
many others to join hands towards providing service to Humanity.LIDCOMBE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY: He served as
AssistantSecretary for 10 years. He received several Awards for his dedicated service in this area. WESTERN
DISTRICTS CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP: Pundit Ji served as Treasurer for 9 years.
LIONS CLUB OF AUBURN/LIDCOMBE: Served as Secretary, Vice Presidentand Presidentofthe Club.He was
recipientof several awards,medals including international Presidents award for his dedication and service to
Humanity.In 1996 made one of the Zone Chairman in the Lions District.
FIJI INDIAN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC. (FISCAA): He served as Chairman of
Education Committee for numerous years and was the Patron of the Association.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE: He was a JP since 1990 in NSW, Australia and provided his service at all times at vari ous
locations on voluntary basis.
ARYA SAMAJ: PunditJi was the Founder and First PresidentofVedic Pratinidhi Sabha and Arya Samaj ofAustralia
Incorporated.
ARYA RATNA: Title of Arya Ratna was conferred for exceptionally valuable contribution to Arya Samaj.He was also
Minister of Religion for Vedic Rites and a Registered Marriage Celebrantwho was registered to conductMarriage
ceremonies anywhere in Australia.
DISCOURSES AND PUBLICATIONS: Pundit Ji was a regular contributor providing discourses for broadcastin Radio
Navtarang. He also provided articles for publication in various magazines in Australia,New Zealand and Fiji.
Despite all these activities,PunditJi still had a lot of time for his family. He worked extremely hard to raise his seven
children and children ofmany parents who had either passed awayor found it difficultto educate them.
PunditJi peacefully passed awayon the 1stSeptember 2009 and at his funeral in the eulogy, his son Rakesh Prasad
said "today all his children a very proud that they were born in a familywith PunditJi as their father and late Lila Wati
Prasad as their mother.We have achieved a lot in our lives with their blessings and guidance and we do not have
words to say how thankful we are to both of you. So it is with great sadness and greatlove ladies & gentlemen that
we say goodbye and Namaste to this amazing man,our Father, who taught us so much,who shared with us his love
and taught us how to love one another and the importance offamily. PunditJi, on behalf of all your children,your
grandchildren,your great grandchildren,all your friends,relatives,your students all around the world and everyone
presenthere,it's time to bid you farewell".
Unto Him,who bestows upon us the life force and strength,and whose laws is abided byall scholars.Unto Him,
under whose shelter flows the sweetnectar of Deathlessness.Unto him,do we offer our oblations in the Yajna

3. respective of His process ofcreation.
Namaste PunditJi and May God Bless your Soul and May you always restin Peace.