Anasyu Chand, Assistant Head Teacher at Rampur Primary School, Navua District here, says Indians here are hooked to Hindi television shows as well. Kumkum Bhagya, Mere Sai, Vighnaharta Ganesha, Kundali Bhagya...we watch it all,” said Chand, who said teaching spoken Hindi to all students—Indian-origin or Fijian—was compulsory at their school till fourth grade.

She said Ramayan was recited at the school every Tuesday. “We celebrate all festivals—whether Eid, Easter, Diwali, Ram Navmi or Janmashtami in a big way like they do in films. It is very important for us that our new generation knows about India and all things Indian,” said Chand, who draped a sari especially to meet Ileana, adding: “I feel the emotional touch... Jab hamaare desh ka koi aata hai (when someone from our homeland comes).”