Submissions to the Constitution Commission continue to pour in from many parts of the country and from a diverse range of people.
What's encouraging is seeing the young people of Fiji at the forefront, presenting their views on how they want their country governed in the future.
The senior citizens of Fiji from all walks of life need to take serious note of their views and begin looking at implementing not only their ideas but their vision for a new Fiji. It is fitting that the older generation empower the youth of Fiji to step up to the plate.
For those of us who've lived through the painful ugliness of a divided and detached Fiji must make way for the vision of future generations who see a vibrant nation built on the bedrock of integrity, inclusivity and harmony.
A wise man once said, "Most of the world's problems are due to racism. Too much prominence is given to racial aspects of man and not enough to his qualities as an individual."
Harmony comes when no-one feels harangued by the insidious and inciteful comments of those who seem to have compromised their deep Christian values for fundamentalism rather than love that is supposed to underpin the Christian faith.
When I read the submissions of the SDL Party, I was deeply saddened that they continue to promote policies of segregation rather than enjoying the fruits of living together in a vibrant, cohesive society. For the Christians among the SDL Movement, may I respectfully recommend the wisdom of the ages in Leviticus 19 verses 33 and 34:
"When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as yourself for you were aliens in Egypt. I Am the Lord your God."
This scripture came as an answer to prayer because I was deeply troubled over many years by the events and expressions of divisiveness that has plagued Fiji and her people.
There is an opportunity to right the wrongs and to reconcile past differences that have become the source of many ills. This is the Christian way forward.
There is an 'enemy' who is hell-bent on destroying the birth of a new and united Fiji. The enemy also comes as light, deceiving even the elect. If God is Love, and I have no reason to doubt this truth, then He is also a God of Unity.
The opposite is also true of the enemy who only brings discord, division and destruction.
This scripture speaks volumes about how to create harmony by including those that are from other countries and communities. We are all 'aliens' or immigrants from different countries.
The only thing that separates us is the time frame of people coming to the islands of Fiji.
Many of us are of mixed origin - like the Lauans who have a strong Tongan heritage or those with a Solomon Islander heritage. Others hail from Rotuma, Samoa, Rabi and many other countries. And we haven't even scratched the surface of those that are of diverse Chinese, European and Indian backgrounds.
I fully endorse the action to re-affirm the ownership of Native Lands to the original owners - the ITaukei. This has been preserved in the past and must continue along with their language, culture and traditions.
I'm all for the ITaukei language being taught in schools, also for the cultural traditions of our indigenous community to be included in the school curriculum. This will help provide a roadmap for understanding sensitive indigenous protocols that can become the bonding bridge between communities.
Every community has traditional protocols in place that need to be, not only respected but, followed to the letter so as to build a bridge of friendship and trust. Some leaders of old, especially in the Fijians of Indian community have been derelict in their duty to either understand the complexities of indigenous Itaukei protocol or have, sadly, ignored it altogether.
This has brought them into sharp conflict on many different fronts with the Fijians of Indian community becoming scapegoats because of the ignorance of their leaders.
My first experience and education in the area of indigenous protocol came in the 50s when the late Vunivalu of Bau, His Excellency Ratu Sir George Cakobau, graciously invited our family to be guests at his Chiefly Island.
There were certain guidelines in place that we had to observe and follow even before we set foot on the island.
A sevusevu to this great Statesman was conducted on our behalf by one of his people. It was a solemn yet powerfully engaging experience and left a lasting impression on a naïve six-year-old even though I didn't fully comprehend why things were done the way they were at the time.
I may need to be corrected by those with a greater handle on the correct protocol, but I understand it's called, I Luva ni kitu - or gifts that need to be presented by strangers to the Chief when they come to reside or set foot in a strange or foreign land.
The i sevu, I understand, is "to make an offering of the first fruit to a Chief" which also has Biblical roots.
Being a fourth generation descendant of an original indentured labourer who landed on Fijian soil late in the 1800s to work the sugarcane fields, our family was deeply honoured to be given this unique and privileged opportunity of visiting the chiefly island of Bau. Our dad always taught us to honour and respect these protocols he believed was quintessential in building long-standing relationships with our indigenous people.
As I've matured in my understanding, I have come to respect these traditions which is why my hope for future generations is - please learn about each others cultures and traditions.
They will hold you in good stead in building lasting friendships and relationships. Better still would be to introduce a study of cultural traditions and protocols in the Itaukei education system so that everyone becomes conversant to fully appreciate their significance in the context of life and living the Itaukei way.
Perhaps it may be prudent to make provision in the new Constitution, for the first term of either four or five years after the 2014 elections, that there needs to be a government of national unity to take the country forward.
It will provide an opportunity for the newly elected officials in understanding the mechanics of working together to truly serve the nation and people of Fiji rather than pushing their own barrow.
This is true servant-hood for a politician, if that's your calling, to be a positive role model to the current generation - so when it's your turn to pass the baton, it will be done with a mantle of trust and honour so that you can rest assured knowing that you have run your race with dignity towards your heavenly prize.
nColin Deoki is a Fijian living in Australia. He is a frequent Letter Writer to The Fiji Times. These views are his and not of this newspaper.