TODAY, the Indo-Fijian community makes up over a third of Fiji’s population, however, it is their values, work ethic and cultural resilience that stand out, says Indian High Commissioner Suneet Mehta.
While officiating during the opening of the Fiji International Conference on Indenture in Nadi on Wednesday, Mr Mehta said descendants of the girmitiya were now teachers, doctors, artists, civil servants, judges, entrepreneurs and parliamentarians shaping a modern multicultural Fiji.
“They have preserved their roots and grown new branches while enriching the Fijian cultural mosaic with Bhojpuri songs, Tamil prayers, North Indian bhajans and South Indian classical dance,” he said.
“They are not just beneficiaries of modern Fiji; they are shapers of it. This conference is being held at a very important time, when Fiji is glowing with festivity.”
Mr Mehta also announced the high commission’s ‘Know Your Roots’ initiative, scheduled for today.
“This special group will provide descendants of girmitiya with details such as their ancestors’ names, dates for districts of origin, with on-spot assistance to locate and obtain electronic copies of the indentured passes.
“It helps transform memory into documented history, enabling families to reclaim these genealogies, assert their dignity, and forge a tangible connection to their ancestral past.”
Mr Mehta said India remained deeply committed to supporting the Indo-Fijian community and Fiji as a time-tested, trusted partner.
Mr Mehta said the Indian Council of Cultural Relations scholarships (ICCR) had also enabled Fijian students to become diaspora youth, to study in India while strengthening cultural ties, and gain exposure to India’s knowledge ecosystems.
