Everybody should learn the three languages that are commonly spoken in Fiji - Ashok Bal Govind

“Everybody should learn the three languages that are commonly spoken in Fiji.”

The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the 102nd anniversary of the arrival of ship Sutlej, Ashok Bal Govind stated this at Albert Park today.

Today marks the 102nd year since the arrival of Sutlej which brought the last set of indentured laborers from India while Fiji was still part of the British Colony.

Govind says Fijians of Indian descent are now living luxury lives in comparison to what the indentured laborers had experienced.

He adds that the connection and bonds between all ethnicities in Fiji is strong which is praiseworthy.

Also present at the celebration was the Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Vishvas Sapkal who also sang same praises about the connections.

Sapkal says that he recently paid his respect to the indentured labourers from India that had lost their lives after the Syria Ship sank.

Sapkal says he and a group of people presented a ‘Sevusevu’ to the people of Naselai.

The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji also remembered the hundreds of Fijian Soldiers who lost their lives in the first and the second World War.

60,545 girmitiyas came to Fiji as indentured labourers aboard 87 ships between 1879 to 1960.

The celebration today, which was held at the Albert Park Pavilion was attended by many Fijians.