SUVA, FIJI, January 15, 2011: Premila Devi Prasad, 50, has been practicing her role as a priestess for nearly 20 years now. But it was only recently that she has found satisfaction in her work because of acceptance by the community.<\/p>\n
Prasad was registered as a priestess in 1992 by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Vanua Levu and has solemnized about 20 marriages and performed more than 25 cremations. This profession was taken by Prasad as a challenge to herself and partially to make her late father Ram Khelawan, proud. ‘My father was a pundit and he always encouraged me to conduct religious rituals,’ Prasad said. ‘Heeding his word I took up the profession to show that women and men are equal, which is preached in the Vedas.’<\/p>\n
Ms. Prasad has conducted religious rituals in Taveuni, Savusavu, Sava and Rakiraki. ‘I am very thankful to Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Vanua Levu for giving me the opportunity and to the people for accepting me,’ Prasad said. ‘I’m very satisfied with my work and hope to give back to my community by providing my services.’ Prasad is employed by the Save the Children Labasa as the education advisor and is happily married with two daughters in Bulileka.<\/p>\n