Latest news with #Girmitiyas
India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
MoS Pabitra Margherita calls on Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Labasa [Fiji], May 13 (ANI): Union Minister of State of External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, called on the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, after having participated in the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji as the Guest of Honour. The two leaders held discussions on the deepening of ties and cooperation across key sectors. In a post on X, the MoS said, 'Honoured to call on H.E. @slrabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji, in Labasa following the Girmit Day celebrations. Had meaningful discussions on deepening India-Fiji bilateral cooperation across key sectors.' Through a series of posts on X, he shared several engagements he was a part of during his visit to Fiji. In his address as the Guest of Honour for the 146th Girmit Day celebrations, MoS Margherita paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas-- whose resilience, sacrifice, and spirit laid the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive Fiji. 'Honoured to join the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji as Guest of Honour, alongside Chief Guest H.E. @slrabuka, Hon. @FijianPM. In my address, I paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas -- whose resilience, sacrifice, and spirit laid the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive Fiji.' Along with PM Sitiveni Rabuka, he also presented awards to the descendants of Girmityas. MoS Margherita thanked the Government of Fiji for recognising their contributions by declaring Girmit Day a National Holiday On Monday, he virtually participated in the inauguration of the Yoga Centre in Seaqaqa. The centre is representative of the strong historical and cultural ties of India and Fiji and will promote holistic health and wellness. He had also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora. MoS Margherita was on a visit to New Zealand and Fiji from May 8-12, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an earlier statement. India's links with Fiji commenced in 1879 when Indian labourers were brought here under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, around 60,553 Indians were brought to Fiji. Beginning with the early 20th century, Indian traders and others also started arriving in Fiji. In 1920, the indenture system was abolished. Before Fiji's independence in 1970, India had a Commissioner since 1948, who was later upgraded to High Commissioner after independence. (ANI)
India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
MoS Pabitra Margherita attends Girmit Day celebrations of Fiji as Guest of Honour
Suva [Fiji], May 13 (ANI): Union Minister Pabitra Margherita was the guest of honour at the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji. Through a series of posts on X, the Union Minister of State of External Affairs and Textiles on Monday shared several engagements he was part of during his visit to Fiji. In his address during the 146th Girmit Day celebrations, Margherita paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas -- whose resilience, sacrifice, and spirit laid the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive Fiji. 'Honoured to join the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji as Guest of Honour, alongside Chief Guest H.E. @slrabuka, Hon. @FijianPM. In my address, I paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas -- whose resilience, sacrifice, and spirit laid the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive Fiji.' In his engagements, he joined the Prime Minsiter of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka in presenting awards to the descendants of Girmityas. MoS Margherita thanked the Government of Fiji for recognising their contributions by declaring Girmit Day a National Holiday 'It was a privilege to join H.E. @slrabuka, Hon. @FijianPM in presenting awards to the proud descendants of Girmitiyas. My heartfelt thanks to the @FijiGovernment for recognising their invaluable contributions by declaring Girmit Day a National Holiday. Also pleased to know that the captivating performances by the ICCR-sponsored cultural troupe contributed to the celebrations. ' On Monday he virtually participated in the inaugration of the Yoga Centre in Seaqaqa. The centre is representative of the strong historical cultural ties of India and Fiji and will promote holistic health and wellness. The MoS wrote on X, 'It was also a pleasure to virtually inaugurate the Yoga Centre in Seaqaqa along with Hon. Agni Deo Singh, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations of Fiji. The centre reflects our strong historical cultural ties and will promote holistic health and wellness.' He had also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora. In his post on X, MoS Margherita said, 'Interacted with the vibrant Indian Diaspora and Friends of India in Nadi. The Indian diaspora continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the India-Fiji partnership.' MoS Margherita was on a visit to New Zealand and Fiji from May 8-12. India's links with Fiji commenced in 1879 when Indian labourers were brought here under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, around 60,553 Indians were brought to Fiji. Beginning with the early 20th century, Indian traders and others also started arriving in Fiji. In 1920, the indenture system was abolished. Before Fiji's independence in 1970, India had a Commissioner since 1948, who was later upgraded to High Commissioner after independence. (ANI)
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka praises significant contribution of Girmitiyas in nation's progress
Suva/New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) Fiji became an economic powerhouse in the Pacific due to the hard work of the Indian migrants who arrived during the indentured labour system, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasised. While delivering his message on the 146th Girmit Day at Subrail Park in Labasa, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasised the contribution of the indentured labourers to Fiji's development. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita was present on the occasion. He said Girmit Day is a profound moment in our history, as on 14th May 1879, the first ship carrying indentured labourers from India arrived on our shores. He stated that between 1879 and 1916, about 60,000 men, women, and children were brought under an oppressive system of bonded labour to work under very uncertain and often inhumane conditions on Fiji's sugar plantations. The Prime Minister said that many people would have heard the stories of those times during the three days of the event, and that there are many documentaries available to help us learn more about the Girmityas and their descendants. Rabuka said the Girmitiyas were not passive victims, but proud individuals who resisted oppression, reclaimed their dignity, and were determined to define their own place in a foreign land. They stood firm against injustice and helped shape a new identity for their people and their descendants, the PM said Rabuka emphasised that they defied the British overseers at every opportunity to claim their honour, fought for respect, and set a limit to toleration. He said that today we can all come together to remember — and rejoice in — what they have left for us, and we get the opportunity to honour not only the Girmityas who have passed on, but also the descendants who are with us today, who continue to enrich our nation with their talents, their values, and their deep sense of community. Rabuka added that he is also looking forward to the compilation of a database of the descendants of Girmitiyas. He said the Girmitiyas have added to the richness of Fiji's identity as a multicultural society — one where we are united by our diversity. He said this is what makes Fiji special — where we do not simply tolerate difference, but celebrate it. Meanwhile, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita joined the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji as Guest of Honour. 'Honoured to join the 146th Girmit Day celebrations in Fiji as Guest of Honour, alongside Chief Guest H.E. @slrabuka, Hon. @FijianPM. 'In my address, I paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas — whose resilience, sacrifice, and spirit laid the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive Fiji.' UNI RN
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Fiji academic calls for reparations from Australia and UK for the abuse of Girmitiyas
The Vice Chancellor for the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameem, is calling on the Australian and British governments to consider paying reparations for the exploitation and displacement of Indo-Fijians more than a century ago. Known as the Girmitiyas – the indentured labourers were known to have endured immense hardships - with thousands of families coerced by British authorities to migrate to Fiji between 1879 and 1916 to work as cheap labour on plantations that primarily served Australia's sugar industry. Work conditions were harsh, with long working hours, social restrictions and low wages. 'I think it's time to talk about reparations,' said Ms Shameem. 'An apology is not enough…(reparations) that's the only thing that matters to people because they suffered.' 'The Australian government made a lot of money' Although it was the decision of the British government to initiate the indentured labour system which saw tens of thousands of Indian families migrate to colonies around the world, Ms Shameem says it was the Australian government and sugar industry that benefited the most. 'If it wasn't for the CSR, you wouldn't have Girmitiyas in Fiji…that's the Colonial Sugar Refinery of Australia,' said Ms Shameem. 'They owned the sugar mills in Fiji and made huge profits that were repatriated to Australia…Australia acquired a lot of wealth because of that, 'Restitution and reparation need to go hand and hand with apology ,' she added. 'Girmit Day' celebrated in Fiji Girmit Day was marked today in Fiji with a public holiday to honour the Girmitiyas. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka delivered a speech at a special gathering in which he acknowledged injustices of the indentured labour system. 'Over sixty thousand men, women and children were brought under an oppressive system of bonded labourers, working in very uncertain and often inhuman conditions on plantations in Fiji,' said Prime Minister Rabuka. 'It was a totally different time, people were very badly treated…the Girmitiyas toiled in the fields in very harsh conditions to make this country – a colony than – a better place,' he added. Aside from the sombre commemoration services, Girmit Day is also a time of celebration. Over the weekend, Indo-Fijian cultural displays and performances were held all around the country, celebrating the unique Indo-Fijian identity. "It's a very rich culture," said Ms Shameem. "Language, clothing and food has uniquely of India," she added.
