The country is grateful to the Sikh community who have influenced many Fijians in different ways and all Sikhs who were brought to Fiji in the early 1900s are part of this nation.
This has been highlighted by Minister of Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua while speaking during the 100th Anniversary celebration of Fiji's first Gurudwaara in Samabula, Suva.
He also acknowledged the ancestors who were brought to Fiji in the early 1900s and worked hard to get a better life.
Tikoduadua says this is their home and home for their children in the coming future as this is their origin.
The Minister also thanked Sikh women who have helped their husband reach to this achievement.
While acknowledging the Khalsa colleges around the country, Tikoduadua challenged the Sikh community to work together with tolerance, unity and trust to help build Fiji a beautiful nation.
A youth speaker, Gurdish Kaur says the Gurudwaara has drastically changed over the past 100 years which was not easy to carry on.
She says she has experienced the changes since she was a kid and has been attending the kirtan sessions at the Gurudwaara.
Kaur says during this change, youths were given equal opportunities to stand tall and make a name for the Sikh community, both locally and internationally.
She says she is a Kaur and proud to be one and also proud to be part of the religion whereby girls are given their own identity.
She further says the Gurudwaara holds a special place in the the hearts of the youth today and has thanked the Gurus or teachers who have helped them excel in life.
