Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad says the acknowledgement of the vanua for the rescue mission at Naivilaca Village in Noco, Rewa on Thursday was emotional and a moving start to the five-day commemoration of Girmit Day.
“It was a moving ceremony where we shed the bravery, love, compassion and humanity shown by our iTaukei brothers and sisters from the village of Naivilaca,” he said during the opening of the Girmit Exhibition yesterday in Suva.
“When the Syria jahaj ran aground at Nasilai reef, when our forefathers were drowning, those villages showed bravery, compassion, love and humanity and rescued many of them.
“Brought them to the village, who looked after them, and kept them in their homes, those who perished were brought and buried there, and that to me is what girmit history teaches us.
“Our forefathers pain and suffering did not have a dent on their humanity, perseverance, hard work and on their vision and mission to be part of the society they realised they were in.”
Prof Prasad said the girmit exhibition reminded them of their history, language, culture and tradition.
“This connects us to our identity as people and brings us together with people of all ethnic groups in this country and in particular we draw strength from what happened at Naivilaca Village and how our people came together and an important part of the girmit celebration.
“Professor Brij Lal is no longer around and we sometimes wonder who is going to write more of our history, particularly our contemporary history.
“But I can say we can see people around like Dr Mohit Prasad and others who can provide us that hope.”
