At 108 years, Jamiran Bi is frail and mostly silent, tired from the weight of age and a hard life.
She sat quietly at Subrail Park in Labasa where she was honoured with a plaque and shawl for her family’s connection to the Girmitiyas. The recognition was part of a Girmit remembrance event, to honour the descendants of indentured labourers brought from India more than a century ago. Her daughter, Rojina Bi, said her grandfather had settled in Tabia after arriving from India under the indenture system.
Ms Bi said from the stories she was told, life in the sugar sector was not easy back in the days.
Her grandfather worked long hours in the sun, carrying heavy loads.
“He never gave up, even when things were really tough.”
She thanked Government for recognising her grandfather’s contribution to Fiji’s economy.
