BY HARISH CHANDRA SHARMA (Former National President)

The Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji was registered as a religious body in 1959.

The idea to form a registered body was mooted by Late Mr. Hari Deo Sugreev of Nasinu, Suva.

A number of meetings were held to discuss this matter and greater number of people were involved.

Finally it was decided to call a nationwide meeting and Sanatanis from all over Fiji got together at the Shivalay Temple in Samabula, Suva.

After some discussions it was decided to form the SSDPS of Fiji.

Pundit Shreedhar Maharaj was elected the first national President of the Sabha. Late Shree Dutt Sharma, a solicitor by profession was elected the national secretary. Pt Gurudayal Sharma, Pt Ram Odh Sharma were elected vice president. Late Shankar Singh of Navua was elected the treasurer and Late Bhan Pratap Singh was elected the assistant treasurer.

Pt Shreedhar Maharaj carried on as national president for 8 consecutive years.

During this period to date many people have served as national officials of the Sabha.

The Sabha started with a very humble beginning and had no properties.

Over a period of time the Sabha was able to acquire many Schools and properties in Fiji.

Over the years the Sabha has come to great level having run many schools and commercial properties and temples.

Over a long period of financial difficulties it was during the term of Mr. Hari Deo of Nadi who took the Sabha out of the doldrums as the treasurer in the eighties.

Various branches, Nari Sabha, Youth and Sports , Brahman Purohit Sabha were all affiliated as time went on.
Today the Sabha also sponsors needy students with school fees.

The Main objective of forming the Sabha was to get the Sanatanis together and to promote the Sanatan religion.
Under the leadership of it’s current National President Mr. Surendra Kumar, the Sabha has been able to acquire a commercial property in Narewa, Nadi and has also secured land in Rewa and other places of Nadi.

Our President strongly believes that to take the Sabha into a sound financial footing, commercial development is the right way forward.