Former Fiji MP and Senator Irene Jai Narayan died in her Suva home last week.
Her son Pravez said Mrs Narayan, Fiji's first and only female member of the Legislative Council, had been sick for some time. She was 79.
Born in Lucknow, India, in 1932, Mrs Narayan came to Fiji after she married school teacher Jai Narayan and went to on to have a distinguished career in Fiji politics. Mr Narayan went on to become principal of Indian College, which is today known as Jai Narayan College.
In 1966 she was handpicked by the then leader of the National Federation Party, A.D. Patel, to contest the Suva Indian Communal seat in the Legislative Council. She was elected to Fiji's House of Representatives in the 1972, 1977 (March), 1977 (September) and 1982 elections from the Suva Indian Communal Constituency.
Mrs Narayan was laid to rest on Monday.
It was in January 1977 when Mrs Narayan was named Fiji Times Woman of the Year, recalled former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry in a tribute yesterday.
Mr Rabuka, diplomats and dignitaries also paid tribute to the life and times of Mrs Narayan.
Mr Chaudhry said "it may be a fitting tribute, in conclusion, to read from the citation where the paper described her as imperious but gracious, icy yet affectionate, sombre yet humorous, earthy yet intellectual".
He recalled how in 1966, the late leader of opposition handpicked Mrs Narayan as a candidate for the Legislative Council at the Century Theatre.
Mr Chaudhry said in the 1970s and early 1980s, Mrs Narayan emerged as the advocate of the poor and the downtrodden, acquiring the reputation of a grassroots politician ù ever compassionate and accessible to her constituents.
"One of her often remembered campaigns was her advocacy in the late 70s for the rights of private students at USP who were facing discrimination in being forced to pay exorbitant fees to get tertiary education.
"She succeeded in this campaign by getting the authorities to lower the fees to affordable levels," he said.
"Mrs Narayan was, undoubtedly, a woman who had made a significant impact on our evolving political landscape and left her deep unforgettable imprint on it.
"Today, as we mourn her departure from our midst, we remember the sterling and dedicated service she rendered our nation. She was popularly known as Bahenji (respected sister) and stood as a model of inspiration for many a young woman wanting to venture into public life," he said.
