THE girmitiyas in Fiji have maintained their music, culture, and tradition, and in some cases even enriched it by going beyond that, says Second Secretary Commercial and Consular of the Indian High Commission Pradeep Menon.
Mr Menon said this while addressing attendees of the Girmit Remembrance Day celebration in Lautoka yesterday.
“It is on this day, May 17, when the first ship carrying Indians landed in Fiji, on the ship Leonidas, which had taken a voyage of several months across the two oceans,” he said.
“They had come with a firm hope of returning to their home country, but instead, fate would decree that they would make a life here in Fiji and they not only enriched the soil, but they made a name for themselves in the South Pacific region.”
Mr Menon said this milestone achievement was worth celebrating.
“Their beginnings, like all things, were very tough, but they, being from India and having the Indian blood, they persevered and one by one they overcame all their hardships.
“The main commendable thing is, even after such a long distance from India, they maintained much of their culture, religious traditions, and continued to steadfastly observe their customs.”
