As we commemorate Girmit Day this weekend, 109-year-old Gangamma has shared the struggles she and her ancestors went through and how far they have come.
Gangamma who is from Nadi says some early girmitiyas fled from India to Fiji for freedom but when they came here, they realised how tough it was going to be. She says she had two brothers and two sisters with whom she used to work on the farms. Gangamma says she has no illness such as high blood pressure or diabetes however she feels weak most of the time due to her age. The 109-year-old clearly remembers that after a hard day of work, she would return home to do household chores, cook for the family and look after any guest that came. She says nowadays, many people lack hospitality skills towards their guests. Gangamma further says during weekends they used to do household chores and then work on farms and also used to plant peanuts and give it for free.
Meanwhile, the theme for the 145th Girmit Day celebration is "Journey of Girmit Descendants in Building a New Fiji".
The celebrations will take place from tomorrow to Monday at the Lautoka Girmit Multicultural Centre and Subrail Park in Labasa tomorrow.
Monday will be a public holiday for Girmit Day.
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