Major Girmit celebrations held around the country today

Major Girmit celebrations were held around the country today to mark the 100th Anniversary of the arrival of indentured labourers in Fiji on Sutlej V.

Celebrations were held in Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Ba, Tavua and Levuka.

Speaking at the celebration in Lautoka, Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the legacy of the indentured labourers and their tenacious spirit has served as a source of inspiration to all Fijians today.

Sayed-Khaiyum says that the legacy of indentured labourers can been seen throughout Fiji to this day since this legacy has made Fiji a proud nation that it is today.

He says in towns and cities all across Fiji we can still see the stories and the Girmityas around us and those stories are part of Fiji and unfortunately this part of the story of Fiji has been left out.

Speaking at the Nadi celebration, Health Minister Rosy Akbar highlighted that 42 ships made a total of 87 voyages carrying British Indian indentured labourers to Fiji between 1879 and 1916.

Akbar says they were often lured away from their homes with false promises, they suffered demeaning treatment from their overseers and slaved away under violent and repressive work conditions.

She says the Girmitiyas contributions to this nation began the very day they set foot in Fiji, building roads, clearing land and harvesting sugarcane - the success of Fiji’s colonial economy depended heavily on their sweat, their effort and their talents.

Speaking at the Girmit Centennial Ceremony in Ba, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Veena Bhatnagar says the legacy has made Fiji the proud nation it is today because, despite the immense adversity faced by the Girmitiyas, they forged new lives for themselves in Fiji and ultimately overcame their struggle.

Meanwhile, 81-year-old Shiu Narayan who is one of the direct descendant of the Girmitiyas could not hold back his tears when he thought about their struggles.

The Girmit celebrations will be held in Navua at 7 tonight where Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum will be the chief guest while Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa will officiate the celebration in Savusavu 7 tonight.