M. S. Buksh
Encyclopedia
Mirza Salim Buksh was one of the first Fiji Indians to gain formal education in Fiji
. He was chosen as one of the representatives of the India
n community on a number of occasions. He helped form and supported a number of social, and religious organisations. He also served one term as a nominated member in the Legislative Council
.
helped the Raju Commission that made inquiries into the conditions of the India
n community in Fiji. In 1924, he was one of the founding members of the Indian Reform League
, the first social and sporting organisation formed for Fiji Indians. He was also a founding member of the Fiji Muslim League
in 1926.
of Fiji
in 1947, as an Indian nominated member by the Governor. He is remembered for an incident which caused a rift between A. D. Patel and Vishnu Deo
. In 1948, when the Governor asked the five Indian members of the Legislative Council to elect one from amongst themselves to be a member of the Executive Council, A.D. Patel and Vishnu Deo both put forward their names. (The member elected into the Executive Council would have been recognised as the leader of the Indian community.) Ami Chandra
supported Vishnu Deo, whereas James Madhavan
, supported A.D. Patel. Buksh regarded both Patel and Deo as capable and could not make up his mind as to who to support. Fully aware that Buksh did not regard himself as worthy of the position, A.D. Patel nominated him. Flattered with this support, Buksh returned the favour and threw his support behind Patel. Buksh said afterwords, “I garlanded him with the garland he offered me.”
a.k.a Lulu Buksh, who was reported to be the oldest candidate running for elections in 2001.He left a daughter named Maikunnissa behind in India when he came to Fiji in the early 1900s.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. He was chosen as one of the representatives of the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n community on a number of occasions. He helped form and supported a number of social, and religious organisations. He also served one term as a nominated member in the Legislative Council
Legislative Council (Fiji)
The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970.-The first Legislative Council:...
.
Early life
He was one of the early group of Fiji Indians to acquire sufficient formal education to be employed in Government service. In 1922, Buksh, together with Odin Ramrakha and Vishnu DeoVishnu Deo
Pandit Vishnu Deo OBE was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Fiji Indians. From 1929, when he was first elected to the Legislative Council, until his retirement in 1959, he remained the most powerful Fiji Indian political leader in Fiji...
helped the Raju Commission that made inquiries into the conditions of the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n community in Fiji. In 1924, he was one of the founding members of the Indian Reform League
Indian Reform League (Fiji)
The Indian Reform League was formed in Fiji in 1924, following the refusal of the Suva Y.M.C.A. to admit Indians. Its founder was A.W. McMillan of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A and educated Indians and Government clerks and interpreters such as M. S. Buksh, S. S. Chowla, John F. Grant, Ilahi Ramzan, and...
, the first social and sporting organisation formed for Fiji Indians. He was also a founding member of the Fiji Muslim League
Fiji Muslim League
The Fiji Muslim League is a Muslim religious and social organisation based in Suva, Fiji. Nearly 7% of Fiji's total population, including 16% of the Indian community, is Muslim...
in 1926.
Involvement in politics
Buksh was a nominated member of the Legislative CouncilLegislative Council (Fiji)
The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970.-The first Legislative Council:...
of Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
in 1947, as an Indian nominated member by the Governor. He is remembered for an incident which caused a rift between A. D. Patel and Vishnu Deo
Vishnu Deo
Pandit Vishnu Deo OBE was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Fiji Indians. From 1929, when he was first elected to the Legislative Council, until his retirement in 1959, he remained the most powerful Fiji Indian political leader in Fiji...
. In 1948, when the Governor asked the five Indian members of the Legislative Council to elect one from amongst themselves to be a member of the Executive Council, A.D. Patel and Vishnu Deo both put forward their names. (The member elected into the Executive Council would have been recognised as the leader of the Indian community.) Ami Chandra
Ami Chandra
Pandit Ami Chandra Vidyalankar came to Fiji, from India in 1927 at the behest of the Arya Samaj, which wanted to improve the education standard of Fiji Indian students and promote Arya Samaj in Fiji. He led a busy life in Fiji, being an educationist, Arya Samaj preacher, labour leader, football...
supported Vishnu Deo, whereas James Madhavan
James Madhavan
James Madhavan was one of the longest serving politicians in Fiji. He initially was a primary school teacher but when the Maha Sangh was formed in Labasa was one of its earliest members. Unlike, Viti Levu where it was mainly supported by South Indians, the Maha Sangh in Labasa had support from a...
, supported A.D. Patel. Buksh regarded both Patel and Deo as capable and could not make up his mind as to who to support. Fully aware that Buksh did not regard himself as worthy of the position, A.D. Patel nominated him. Flattered with this support, Buksh returned the favour and threw his support behind Patel. Buksh said afterwords, “I garlanded him with the garland he offered me.”
Family life
He married Sarah Florence Whippy and had 7 children. One of whom is Mirza Namrud BukshMirza Namrud Buksh
Mirza Namrud Buksh, commonly known in Fiji as Lulu Buksh was a popular Fijian radio and television personality, auctioneer and maverick politician. He was born to Mirza Salim Buksh and Sarah Florence Whippy in January 1925. He started off his career as a Customs Officer and later retired and...
a.k.a Lulu Buksh, who was reported to be the oldest candidate running for elections in 2001.He left a daughter named Maikunnissa behind in India when he came to Fiji in the early 1900s.