The commemoration of the 147th anniversary of the girmityas is far more than a ceremonial gathering. It is a profound act of remembrance honouring resilience, sacrifice, identity, and survival across generations. For Indo-Fijians and the wider Fijian diaspora, the Girmit story remains deeply woven into collective memory, shaping communities across Fiji, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
ON Thursday, May 14 2026, members of the British-Fijian community gathered in London to honour the enduring legacy of the indentured labourers who first arrived in Fiji in 1879 under the Girmit system. Hosted by the Fiji High Commission to the United Kingdom at the Holiday Inn London — Kensington High St, the event brought together descendants of girmityas, scholars, diplomats, community leaders, and young professionals in a shared commitment to preserving and passing on this history.
A significant feature of this year’s commemoration was the leadership and contribution of the Fiji Society and its chair Ajay Chhabra, whose continued efforts have played an important role in strengthening Fiji–United Kingdom relations through cultural engagement, historical preservation, and diaspora leadership. Through initiatives that connect communities, celebrate heritage, and promote dialogue across generations, the Fiji Society has become a key platform for sustaining Indo-Fijian and broader Fijian identity in Britain.
Mr Chhabra’s internationally-recognised Girmit 360° Immersive Experience, winner of a 2021 Lovie Award, has further transformed how Girmit history is understood and shared. By combining storytelling, technology, and lived experience, the project offers younger generations an opportunity to engage with history in deeply personal and meaningful ways.
“The Girmit story is not only a chapter of Fiji’s history; it is a living legacy carried by families across the world. Our responsibility is to ensure these stories remain visible, accessible, and meaningful for future generations.” — Ajay Chhabra, chair, Fiji Society
The word “Girmit” itself emerged from the mispronunciation of the English word “agreement”, though there was little fairness in the reality that followed. Thousands of Indians were transported across the kala pani under colonial indenture to labour on sugar plantations in Fiji. Separated from their homelands and subjected to harsh conditions, the girmityas nevertheless forged communities rooted in perseverance, spirituality, language, and culture. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for modern Indo-Fijian society.
For many British Fijians, these histories resonate on a deeply personal level. The first Indo-Fijians who settled in the United Kingdom during the 1950s and 1960s arrived with limited resources but extraordinary determination. They worked tirelessly to build new lives while preserving their traditions, values, and cultural identity in an unfamiliar environment.
Among those honoured during the event was Mr Binod Charitra, who arrived in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. His journey reflects the bridge between the struggles of the girmityas and the aspirations of later generations. His family history is documented in Perspectives of British Colonial Rule in the Fiji Islands: The Biography of Ram Charitra, a local civil servant, offering an important insight into Indo-Fijian experiences under colonial rule and migration.
The event also highlighted the importance of oral history and intergenerational storytelling in preserving community identity.
“If we do not share our histories with our children and grandchildren, we risk losing not only our memories but also our understanding of who we are and how far we have come.” — Uttara Singh, first-generation British-Fijian elder
The presence of current Chevening Scholars from Fiji added a contemporary dimension to the commemoration, reflecting a Fiji that continues to invest in leadership, education, diplomacy, and global engagement. Their participation symbolised the ongoing evolution of the Fijian story, one that honours the sacrifices of the past while looking confidently toward the future.
The distinguished guests attending the event also reflected the growing recognition of the Indo-Fijian experience within the United Kingdom and the enduring strength of Fiji–UK relations. Chief guests included the UK’s first Fijian Heritage Member of Parliament — Sureena Brackenridge, chair of the APPG for Fiji, and John Virgoe — Commonwealth Envoy for the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office for the UK Government.
“The story of the girmityas is one of courage, endurance, and contribution. It deserves recognition not only within Fiji’s history, but as an important part of the wider Commonwealth story.” — Sureena Brackenridge, chair of the APPG for Fiji
The bond between Fiji and the United Kingdom runs deep, deeper than diplomacy, deeper than trade. It runs through the hearts of every family and individual in this room.” — High Commissioner of Fiji to the United Kingdom
At its heart, the 147th Girmit anniversary was a call to remembrance, unity, and continuity. It invited younger generations of British Fijians to understand the journeys that made their opportunities possible, while reaffirming that history lives not only in archives and textbooks, but in family stories, language, faith, food, values, and collective memory. As descendants gathered beneath one roof in London, the spirit of the girmityas endured — not solely as a story of hardship, but as a testament to courage, resilience, and triumph across generations.
AVANEESH RAMAN is the content curator of blog The A Connection – https:://theaconnection.blogspot.com/. The views expressed in this article are his and is not necessarily shared by this newspaper. For more, log onto www.fijitimes.com.fj
