Rakesh Pandey editor for the Pravasi Sansar an international Hindi magazine, believes Fiji is in a unique position as the indigenous people have developed a special relationship with the grimit descendants.
Speaking to this newspaper at the girmit conference hosted at the University of the South Pacific, he said it’s always a joy to visit Fiji and see the indigenous people blend in so well with the Indo-Fijian community.
“I enjoy having conversations with the iTaukei people in Hindi,” he said.
“It’s impressive, even though the language has changed a bit, but the foundation is the same.”
He added that the move by the Fijian Government to dedicate a public holiday to commemorate grimitiya is impressive.
“It is very rare for a country to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution and history of a migrant community like Fiji is doing.”
He added that Indians in India are always fascinated to hear that outside their homeland is another country such as Fiji that recognises Hindi as a language and the widespread practice of Hinduism.
“The language is recognised in the Constitution and there are so many mandali around here and they read the Ramayan and Gita just like they do in India.
“These are all examples of the close bond India and Fiji share.”
He said the girmit conference and celebration is the icing on the cake of what is already a very special bond and relationship between Fiji and India.
