Indian President, Droupadi Murmu says while Fiji has made strides in various sectors, such as the sugar industry, the historical and social hurdles faced by the girmitiyas and their descendants remain a crucial part of Fiji.
While addressing the Fijian Parliament, Murmu says the lives of girmitiyas were filled with difficulties, she is happy to know that their descendants have been accepted by the country and in return, they worked hard to contribute to the development of their new motherland.
While speaking in the Hindi language, she thanked the Fijian Government for building on unity through the Girmit Day celebrations.
Murmu called for the continuous efforts to acknowledge and address the challenges, ensuring that the contributions of the Girmitiyas are recognized and celebrated.
Murmu says her visit underscores the importance of preserving the history and heritage of the girmitiyas, reinforcing the shared history between India and Fiji and fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural bonds that unite them.
She further says she is honoured by the conferment of the Companion of the Order of Fiji this morning by the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
She says this honour is a reflection of the deep ties of friendship between the two countries.
She further says that in her short time here, she can see that the rest of the world has so much to learn from Fiji.
The President says India greatly values and applauds the increasingly prominent roles played by Fiji around the world.
Murmu says Fiji has also made major contributions to global peacekeeping efforts in some of the most dangerous conflicts that arise around the world and they salute Fiji's contribution in making the world a better place to live.
The President also says in the field of sports, while India may have been recently crowned the T20 World Championship in cricket, they have a lot to learn from Fiji in rugby.
She says they are happy that one of Fiji’s legendary players, Waisale Serevi, is India's new national rugby coach and she looks forward to the day when the two teams will play each other.
Murmu also congratulated the Fiji men's rugby team for their wonderful silver medal performance in the Paris Olympics.
She further says that in the last 18 months alone, 15 ministerial-level visits have taken place on both sides.
Murmu also says India will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Fiji and other Ocean States for climate justice and as India emerges strongly on the global stage, they stand ready to partner with Fiji according to our priorities to build a stronger, resilient, and more prosperous nation.
The Indian President says as a powerful voice of the Global South, India will keep pushing the developed countries for both climate finance and climate technology.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says India has become the first country where both the Head of State and Head of Government have carried out a State visit to Fiji and both esteemed dignitaries have addressed the Fiji Parliament.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has been traditionally welcomed in an iTaukei and a Hindu ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel by the Government of Fiji.
The traditional iTaukei welcoming ceremony was performed by the Vanua of Natauvakarua from Kalokolevu Village in Rewa and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs while the Hindu ceremony was conducted by the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha.
A representative from iTaukei Affairs, Ratu Kitione Vesikula acknowledged the presence of the President for leaving her busy schedule to visit Fiji.
Ratu Kitione says they hope Murmu will enjoy her two-day visit to the State.
Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji General Secretary Krishneel Tiwari says this is an important visit to the State as it strengthens relations between the countries.
Tiwari says her visit underscores the strong and enduring ties between Fiji and India and it also highlights the shared commitment to the cultural exchange, mutual respect and coorporation.
Murmu acknowledged the traditional ceremony conducted and she also appreciated the maintaining of our culture because it defines our identity.
While speaking through an interpreter, the President says that maintaining our identity in our society will create unity among multi-races.
She says she was not offered kava, but if she were, she would have definitely drank it.
Murmu says something similar is done in her culture as well.
She also appreciated the fact that she has been included into the Fijian family.
Murmu arrived into Nausori International Airport this morning and was accorded a 100-man Guard of Honour.
She was received and welcomed by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua and Fiji’s High Commissioner to India Jagnnath Sami.
In attendance were the Commander RFMF, Divisional Police Commander Central, Commissioner Central Division, and the High Commissioner of India to Fiji.
She is also expected to hold meetings with President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Rabuka.
Murmu will meet the Indian diaspora at GPH in the afternoon and will then lay a wreath at the National War Memorial site at 4pm.
She will go to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School to pay her respect to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and then be at the State House for a reception at 6pm.
Murmu will be visiting the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi tomorrow morning.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
