Message From The Festival President

Dr Ashwin Lal

We are the same team organizing the Festival of Friendly North from 2005. We have had two very successful festivals under the presidency of Mr. Ashok Karan.
This year some positions have been reshuffled and the committee has given me the privilege to be the President. I am deeply honored and will be looking forward to an exciting and successful festival.
Last year we completed the Rest House for expecting mothers, which is fully operational now. This year we completed the 16 bed extension of the Old Peoples Home. This project has been handed over to Ministry of Health on the 22nd of August, 2007.
We are in the process of starting the construction of gymnasium at Adi Laisa Park opposite Salusalu Street Junction. Building plans are ready and work will start within a few weeks. I would like to thank Labasa Town Council for giving us the land.
Proceeds from this year’s festival will also be spent on the completion of the gymnasium and the beautification of Labasa Town. Heavy emphasis is to be done on cleaning our town.
This year we have had so many obstacles that stood our way but I give thanks to my hard working committee members for their enthusiasm and positive thinking. We all know that this annual festival has to be organized and it is our commitment to our community.
It is unfortunate that because of striking teachers, the Government has rescheduled the school holidays as its contingency plan. The festival is now clashing with the term 3 studies and it is regretted that it will create some disturbances to our students who will want to take part and enjoy.
I would like to thank Vodafone Fiji Ltd for sponsoring this year’s festival. Your donation of $15,000.00 means so much for the people of North.
When organizing a festival such as this, the most difficult hurdle is getting sponsors for the contestants. It is not easy to convince Government Departments and Business houses for sponsorship because in the North we do not have an abundance of business firms.
Sometimes it is very frustrating when some large businesses, whose parent companies are in Viti Levu, refuse to contribute. The sad thing is that they make their money here and do not want to give something back to the community.
On behalf of my committee, I would like to pass on my sincere appreciation to Vodafone, our major sponsor, sponsors for the contestants this year, namely, Fiji Teachers Union, Labasa Town Council, Labasa Chamber of Commerce, F.S.C, Northern Health and the new comers, Fiji Cancer Society and the Naodamu Community. My appreciation goes to the co-sponsors, the cash donors, the prize donors, the contestants, participating schools, entertainment groups, Labasa Town Council, The Military Forces, The Police Force and all other organizations who have contributed this year.
Finally I hope we will have a healthy fundraising and wish everyone will have a lot of fun.

Dr. Ashwin Kumar Lal
‘Help Us Revive the North’