As Fiji marked its first Fiji Girmit public holiday, perhaps the government needs to conduct a debriefing session on Sitiveni Rabuka’s support for this initiative from New Zealand, and the use (or abuse) of $500,000 budget, if this has not already been done.
This among others should include: a) What was intended to be done? b) What actually was done? What was right? What was wrong and whether money allocated was productively utilised? c) What we need to do better in future?
I suppose a journalist like me does not have to lecture on this as the government has appropriately qualified permanent secretaries and support personnel to do this.
I suggest the movers and shakers, Ethnic Affairs Minister, Charan Jeath Singh, Girmit celebration chairperson Shashi Kiran and the person holding Girmit budget, Prof Biman Prasad, need to revisit and reflect what they could have done better for the lasting memories of the girmitiya, and whether it was done.
Further to my article last week where I detailed the structure and sad neglect of the Girmit Council and the centre, this article is about foresight and vision to revive and rejuvenate this organisation.
With 12.5 acres of land, and over eight acres still unused there is a great deal of potential. We call upon Fiji Indian diaspora and those girmitiya children with skills, resources and pride in their heritage to add value to this government gift.
British Indian Raj and its successor, Congress Indian governments after independence, had virtually disinherited, washed their hands off and forgotten its stolen and ignored children, whose history has also been stolen.
There is now renewed interest of Indian Government in the Pacific and Fiji to counteract Chinese influence. We need to request the Narendra Modi government to redeem India’s past desertion and neglect of Fiji Indians.
After all, over 35,000 girmitiyas who chose or were forced to settle back in Fiji, were Indian citizens. Perhaps when Mr Rabuka next meets Mr Modi, he needs to remind him of the hope and request of Fiji Indians — the descendants of Indian girmitiya.
The Government has appointed a select committee looking at reviving the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC). Highly commended.
I suggest the Rabuka government, to be fair to the neglected Fiji Indians by successive Fijian government, show similar interest in the plight of Fiji Girmit Council and Fiji Indians, and seek some answers for its neglect and dysfunction, and ways to resurrect and revive it.
Some ways I suggest are as follows: Organise, awaken and consolidate Fiji Girmit Council (FGC), Sanatan, Muslim league, Arya Samaj, Sikh Association, Gujarat Samaj, TISI Sangam, Ahmadiyya Muslim, Andhra Sangam, Council of Churches and Kabir Panth.
They all need to be awakened and reminded to fulfil their obligations, pay the membership levy and appoint credible delegates. Those not wishing to join or pay may send non-voting delegates if they wish, and those wishing to opt out should be given the choice to walk out the door of FGC.
I think Government needs to step in if FGC board is incapable of making productive use of its gift to Fiji Indians in memory of girmitiya. It is time something is done effectively.
I would go a step further and suggest an ageing, and overseas resident chairperson of trustees, Y.P Reddy, to be persuaded to retire and pass on the baton to the new generation.
I suggest the time has come for the old trustees to retire in dignity and pass on the responsibilities to relatively younger brigade to add credibility and lost dignity to the organisation.
It is time for a change, and I urge other girmitya children to add chorus to my pleas for changes. I know there are outstanding individuals with excellent track-record to come on board to represent as delegates of their respective organisations.
Others who have added value to their respective communities are to come on board as new active and dedicated trustees, while the old retiring trustees be thanked and recognised for their past services.
FGC needs to reassemble and come up with strategic plans for the current period — next 12 months, mid-term (five years) and long term (10 years). For this you need not employ consultants, we have enough educated among us Fiji Indians, both in Fiji and in the diaspora.
I will request the Prime Minister to perhaps advice his Minister of Multi- Ethnic Affairs to concentrate also on his responsibility to this crucial portfolio for the largest ethnic people.
Perhaps there is a need of appointing something like Fiji Indian Affairs Board for the largest group in his portfolio, to look after our interests, and a caretaker committee to take charge and inculcate positive changes.
A caution is to ensure quality people with the right aptitude and attitude are appointed, and political cronies, hangers- on and political and academic opportunist are avoided.
I suggest the minster be tasked with overseeing the restructure of Fiji Girmit Council, and our legal sons and daughters be requested to provide pro bono services in memory of their forebears to put Fiji Girmit Council on the proper legal footing and path.
Girmit museum
A girmit museum needs to be built and developed which should house all items relating to girmit period, and it be marketed as a tourist attraction as it is on the route of tourism hub.
The girmit museum, could be like “1860 Heritage Centre” of Durban, South Africa, and similar others in the diaspora.
People should be requested to give all old items to be housed in the Girmit Centre Museum for preservation for future generations, when we and our children are gone.
This could also house the girmit library which needs to be upgraded and respectfully and appropriately house the work, among others, of and books given by Prof Brij Lal and Dr Padma Lal.
These are to be given dignity in the Girmit Centre location than a tin shack in a shopping centre.
Other initiatives
Once FGC has been given new life, there are other ambitious plans which could be implemented going further.
These, among others include: a) Converting the centre for income generation with renovations for proper onestop event centre; b) Building accommodation facilities to supplement event centre for overseas and local guests (wedding, conferences etc); c) Establishing Girmit Vatika-botanical gardens with over an acre of green Girmitrelated trees, plants and flowers; and d) Documentary/film location sets including CSR Coolie Lane — living quarters and other models.
Completion of Syria monument
Syria Monument was commenced by Indian High Commission, Suva in Nasilai Village, Rewa, before 2006, and was halted after initial foundation because of political events.
It is recommended that Indian Government now be requested to erect it at the Girmit Centre as it would be very accessible to tourists and all Fiji Indian diaspora visiting Fiji via nearby Nadi airport.
Nasilai villagers have already been rewarded by Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ with over $70,000 development in the village hall, toilet and kitchen facilities.
It would be very fitting to have this monument in Lautoka, which would further enhance the image of the Girmit museum.
I suggest the new energised trustees and executive committee of FGC should discuss the recommendations, among others, and come up with a strategic plan as suggested to make the centre a pride to the memory of girmitiya. I have done enough for the memories of my grandfather Bansi from Karouli, Rajasthan, India.
It is time other girmitiya descendants pay their gratitude, respect and dues to the memories of their girmitiya relatives. Shat shat naman to the girmitiya — a salutation to the memories of the indentured labourers.
• THAKUR RANJIT SINGH is a journalist, a media commentator and a blogger based in Auckland. He is a Founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ which has been behind the request for Fiji Girmit Public Holiday for many years. Views expressed here are that of the author and not necessarily that of this publication
