As we celebrate the 141st anniversary of the Girmitiyas arrival to Fiji today, a descendant of a Girmitiya is calling on all descendants of indentured labourers to continue making contributions in various field to see Fiji’s progresses to greater heights.
94-year-old Shiu Narayan Hari Prasad of Drasa Avenue, Lautoka who is a retired school teacher and a third-generation descendant says his grandfather, Dilla and grandmother Lokhani had travelled from India and settled in Tokotoko, Navua.
Prasad told Fijivillage that he heard from his father about the hardships and sufferings that his grandparents had to go through but the important thing is that they persevered and this is why the descendants are now successful.
[Dilla and Lokhani]
The 94-year-old retired teacher says one of the most important things that parents should instill in their children is to abide by the rules of the land.
On 14th May, 1879, Fiji saw the arrival of the Leonidas, a ship that had travelled many thousands of kilometres from British India, a more than three-month journey that endured crashing sea waves, disease and even death, to finally anchor in Levuka.
This year also marks 100 years since the abolition of the indenture system.
Some 60,500 Indians were transported to Fiji between 1879 and 1916 when the transportation of indentured Indian labourers was finally stopped.
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