FIRST
SECRETARY OF SANGAM
T.A.J.
PILLAI 
Sangam elected to the office on 26th May, 1926
An Indian by birth he migrated to the Fiji Isles in 1913. He worked as an Accountant there for sometime before being recruited to the Fiji Civil Service. Sri Pillai married one Pappammal and was blessed with children. He then came into contact with a Yogi, Sadhu Kuppuswamy, whom he immediately adopted as his guru. Sadhu Kuppuswamy was steadfast and rigorous in his practice of yoga and highly devoted to Sri Bhagavan Ramana. He had also seen Him in his vision. At the request of Sri Pillai his guru actually stayed with him for some years.
Sri Pillai was highly religious from his early years and particularly devoted to Lord Nataraja (Siva). In his spiritual effort he was helped by his master. In 1923 his wife passed away and in that hour of grief the master advised and insisted that Sri Pillai should go to Sri Bhagavan for peace. In obedience to this command Sri Pillai made the trip to India. Even the very first darshan of Sri Bhagavan thrilled him and made an indelible impression upon him. It was Karthikai Deepam Day and seeing the radiant face of Sri Bhagavan he was filled with extraordinary bliss and peace!
Sri Pillai during his trip to India married again and returned to Fiji. Dhanalakshmi, his second wife, was also highly devoted to Sri Bhagavan and helped in bringing out His life account in Hindi.
Sri
Pillai’s second trip to India, strongly advised by his master, did not come
off before 1934 and this was even more memorable for he now had the
chance to get close to Sri Bhagavan and have his doubts cleared. The words
uttered by Sri Bhagavan when he took leave of Him at the conclusion of his stay
had a great impact on him. Sri Bhagavan said that He was not confined to the
body, it didn't matter whether he (Pillai) lived in Fiji or elsewhere, or even
on another planet; He would be with him always therefore he could live anywhere
in peace.
Consistent with his usual record of service to the Ashram, Sri Pillai took an active interest in the shashtiabdapurti celebrations of our President. He volunteered to distribute 'the relevant literature to devotees in Fiji and contributed his mite towards the success of the function.
FIRST
GENERAL MANAGER OF THEN INDIA SANMARGA IKYA SANGAM
M.N. NAIDU
Late Mr M Narainswamy Naidu popularly known as MN Naidu throughout Fiji and a well known prominent founder member of Sangam was one of the first two Vice-Presidents of Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam of Fiji elected at the first general meeting of Sangam held at Nadi on 261h May, 1926. His philanthropy and liberal donations to Sangam and many other organisations earned him the title of "DHANAVEER" amongst South Indians of Fiji. In formative years of Sangam he worked closely with Sadhu Kuppusamy and other prominent South Indians of the day to build Sangam into one of the most strong and powerful socio-educational organisation of Fiji. The late Honourable A.D. Patel a close friend of Mr. Naidu, was also brought into Sangam.
Mr.
Naidu who was born in Tenkasi in the Triuneleveli district of South India first
came to Fiji in 1907 and was stationed in Labasa. Being one of the few amongst
South Indians who could read and write in Tamil, he soon became the acknowledged
leader of the South Indian Community in Labasa helping the indentured immigrants
to establish contacts and correspond with their relatives in India. To provide
entertainment and help preserve their culture and traditions, he wrote and
directed plays for the benefit of his community. By
1914, Mr. Naidu had moved to Lautoka to establish his own business which rapidly
grew into chain of stores extending from Nadi to Ba. In
early twenties, he had established his Naidu School at Namoli, Lautoka providing
free education to a large number of youngsters, many of whom came from distant
villages and were accommodated his own house at Lautoka. Amongst the members of
the school staff were late Pt. Vishnu Deo (Later Honourable), Pt Hublal Sharm,
Velaidan Pillay and K.P. Joseph. When the Lovu Sangam School was built Mr. Naidu
transferred all his school furniture and fittings to Lovu. He was elected the
first manger of Lovu Sangam School.
In
1926 Mr. Naidu established a free library at Nadi which along with the building
and land was later donated to the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam in memory of
Late Mrs. Sitammal, one of his many adopted children. Today this property houses
Nadi Ashram of Rama Krishna Mission of Fiji.
With
the close contact that Mr. Naidu maintained with the Rama Krishna Mission in
India, he was instrumental in inviting Swamy Avinashananda to visit Fiji to
consolidate the Sangam. This was followed by arrrival of Swamy Rudrananda and
late Mr. N. Ramakrishna B.A.L.T. who took over the management of Sangam and
Sangam schools.
HONOURABLE A.D. PATEL
Born
on 13-3-1905 in a rich family of Gujarat State (India), Mr Ambalal Dhyabhai
Patel, completed his BA. and in 1925 proceeded to England for his Bar-at-Law
course. While in England he happened to come under the influence of Mr Polak, a
close associate of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa Having been influenced earlier
by Swami Vivekananda's message and by Gandhiji's work in South Africa and in
India, Mr AD. Patel came to Fiji in 1928 as a young Barrister. His brilliance as
a Lawyer drew the attention of the public first; then his eloquence and his
great ability to debate with the interest of the people caught the imagination
of the people here It was Rev. Swami Avinashananda who influenced Mr. A.D. Patel
to join Sangam workers, though (obviously) he was not a South Indian he fully
identified himself with the progressive activities of the Sangam and of
the country and tried to render help to the best of his abilities. Since the
Sangam's constitution was (and IS) such that it had no narrow boundaries, Mr
A.D. Patel could involve himself fully in the activities of the Sangam. He led
the Sangam leaders in a deputation to the Governor more than once, and to the
Director of Education several times. The main object was to make the government
recognise and allow the various languages to be taught in the Sangam Schools.
Whenever
the Sangam organization was in financial difficulties especially in the
beginning stages Mr A.D. Patel came forward with generous donations and took up
the responsibilities in partnership along with generous members of the Sangam.
But
for his help the Sangam would not have succeeded in persuading the government to
support the cause of the organization. It may be even news for some of the young
people that Mr A.D. Patel was the first General Manager of the Sangam Schools
looking after the educational activities. He continued to be so, for several
years. And, later he continued to be the Legal Advisor to the Sangam; and in
this capacity he continued till 2nd October, 1969, when he suddenly passed away.
On his demise the whole country, the government and the people, paid their last
homage in one of the largest funeral procession ever seen here. Tributes were
paid in well-deserved glowing terms.