Christchurch embraces Fiji Girmit spirit with launch of new chapter – صحيفة الصوت

The Fiji Girmit family in New Zealand continues to grow with a new chapter being established in the South Island this weekend.

The Christchurch chapter of the national body – the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand – will host an inaugural launch function on Saturday, July 30, in Templeton.

Girmit is the term used to refer to the Indian indentured labourers who were brought to Fiji by the British to work in the sugar cane plantations.

The new chapter will be headed by Christchurch resident Bas Deo, who is looking forward to hosting the cultural commemoration event annually to honour Fiji’s Girmitiyas.

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“I am very excited and look forward to the launching of the Christchurch chapter so that we can continue this event on a much larger scale on an annual basis,” Deo said.

“The Girmityas were our heroes and remembering them and making this as an important memorial event should be part of every Fiji family,” Deo said.

“This is very important event for us and our future generations so that we always remember our origin and hard work of our ancestors no matter where we are today.”

Deo said he was grateful to the national body for its support in making the event possible. “I look forward to meeting the executives of national body and working together for future events.”

Krish Naidu, Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand national president, said he was delighted by the initiative taken by a keen group of Girmitiya descendants in Christchurch.

“It’s pleasing to see the movement and momentum of Girmit commemorations continue across New Zealand.

“I’m excited that we are launching Girmit chapter in South Island this week, and it’s fitting that Christchurch, as the biggest city and with a growing Fiji Indian population, will host it.”

Naidu said it was vital for the community to be aware of the trials and tribulations of their forefathers.

“It’s important for us to create awareness about our heritage and identity in a city which is highly multicultural and is increasingly considered a destination of choice for new migrants from Fiji.

“Our ability to achieve our objectives relies on the co-operation and collaboration of community partners around New Zealand.”

Naidu said the establishment of the Christchurch chapter provided further opportunity to understand the voice and perspectives of the people, which could help enable better wellbeing support and strengthen collective identity and aspirations.

Over the past couple of months, Naidu and his team have supported many community groups who were keen to honour the legacy of the Girmitiyas with functions of their own, with the latest in Hastings in June.

Saturday’s event will be held at Templeton Hall, 64 Kirk Rd, from 6pm-10pm. The night will be celebrated with cultural items, speeches, stories of Girmit, awards to seniors, and honouring the lives of Girmitiyas.

Entry is free. Refreshments, dinner and kava will be provided.

* More than 60,000 indentured labourers were brought to Fiji from India starting 1879 to work in the sugar cane plantations, enduring extreme hardship in a foreign land. While some returned to India, many chose to stay back and call Fiji their home, working and contributing to the Fiji economy and overall growth. The term “Girmit” is coined from the word “agreement” – the binding document between the workers and the British. They are collectively referred to as “Girmitiyas”.