The largest Hindu organisation in the country, the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji last week called on the descendants of girmitiya to continue to work hard and help their families, societies and the country.
Sabha president Sarju Prasad said the sacrifices of the girmitiya should never be forgotten.
“It is the contribution of our girmitiya who have instilled into us that notion of hard work and we continue to do that,” said Mr Prasad.
“It is the sacrifice of our girmitiya which has taken us to the level we are today.
“Fiji is a nation with great natural resources, great culture and traditions but with it comes the diversity in our traditions and religions.
“What is important for us is to bring about unity in this diversity. This is what we have been taught by the girmitiya. “They brought in the rich culture, the religion and education that we have enjoyed over the years.
“Our people have today become doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs with the blessings of our girmitiya.
“Today, the descendants of the girmitiya are holding important positions in Government and in private and business sectors.”
Mr Prasad said the stories of girmit and the sacrifice of the girmitiya and what they have done for Fiji should continue to be told to the younger generation.
