SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka says beginning with economics the Girmitiyas have progressed to change the fabric of Fiji’s society, placing Fiji as the most cosmopolitan nation in the Pacific today.
As Fiji marked Girmit Day yesterday, Gavoka says he also salutes the iTaukei, who have lived side by side and shared their resources with the Girmitiyas accepting them as their own.
He says the bond grows stronger each day and further expounded with noble acts such as that of the Paramount Chief of the Burebasaga Confederacy, Marama Bale Roko Tui Dreketi conferring the title of the “Luvedra Na Ratu” upon the descendants of the Girmitiyas.
Gavoka says SODELPA as a multiracial party is proud of the ‘Girmitiyas’ and remains committed to the welfare of their descendants.
He says 142 years ago, Fiji welcomed the first batch of arrivals from the Indian sub-continent under the Agreement.
Gavoka says they overcame the hardships, they persevered and thrived to put in place the modern economic system that has made Fiji what it is today.
