HE abandoned journalism studies to pursue law because he felt he could make a better contribution to his country of birth - Fiji.
Sir Moti Tikaram not only earned himself a distinguished career as lawyer, a magistrate, a judge and Ombudsman, but also as a keen sportsman and volunteer.
In the past 70 years, Sir Moti has been a patron of the Fiji Tennis Association, Fiji Table Tennis Association, Fiji Football Referees Association, Fiji Library Association, Suva Cricket Association; he is a trustee of the Fiji Rugby Union.
He recalled being introduced to rugby as a Class Five student at Marist Brothers by his teacher, Semesa Sikivou.
"This was what prompted me to keep an interest in rugby," he said.
"When the Fiji team went to New Zealand in 1951, (Joe) Levula was one of them. I organised a reception for the team - even the (New Zealand) leader of the opposition was present."
Sir Moti backed moves to change the Fiji Indian Football Association to the Fiji Football Association.
He said "football was a game of brains rather than brawn".
"It was a multiracial team before that but because of the name Indian it was tagged as an Indian organisation. At that time it mostly was played by Indians. Now many Fijians are selected."
Sir Moti became the first stipendiary magistrate in 1959 and also the first president of the Fiji Court of Appeal.
He also became known as the world's longest serving national Ombudsman when he retired in 1987 and is one of the two surviving knighthoods in Fiji.
Sir Moti, 84, looks back at his life with contentment and a firm belief that life is not too serious after all.
"I can say the desire not to be jealous of other people's success plays a big part in being a successful person and also being able to laugh at jokes," he quipped.
Sir Moti was made a Knight Commander of the British Empire by the Queen in 1980. He was also the first person to be appointed Ombudsman in Fiji, a position he held for 16 years.
The highlight of his early career path as a lawyer was when he defended Tongan Member of Parliament, Pulevea Afuamago, who was charged for sedition.
"He was a church minister and an MP. I go to the extent of saying the present day Tonga democracy movement was started by this guy.
"And his problem, as far as the Tongan Government goes at that time, was that he used to send petitions to the UN on democracy - the Police Commissioner withheld all the petitions and charged him.
"I won that case after advice given by a chef who was taken from the Grand Pacific Hotel to Tonga by Queen Salote.
"He whispered into my ear before I started summing up. He said 'If you want to win this case, Sir, speak to the Tongan heart don't try to speak to their minds'.
"So I threw away my summing up and listened to his advice and I did move the Tongan jury. That was 1956."
Mr Moti retired as the president of the Fiji Court of Appeal on March 17, 2000.
He retired as a judge of the Supreme Court on March 17, 2002.
