GIRMIT DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - FIJI GOVERNMENT REQUESTED TO GIVE HOMAGE TO GIRMITIYAS THROUGH A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Auckland Girmit Day hosts Fiji Minister, marks

Syria Tragedy and requests Girmit recognition

Thakur Ranjit Singh

As the Master of Ceremonies called the event to order, people in the overflowing Skipton Hall, Mangere, Auckland solemnly stood up in attention. And in the pin drop silence, three National Anthems - India, Fiji and New Zealand, boomed out and floated, bumping the walls and ceiling and glided out.

Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, as the Chief Guest at Girmit Remembrance Day, delivering Keynote address. On stage from left are: Trustees of the Foundation- Author of "Tears in Paradise", Rajendra Prasad, with Sardar Harnam Singh Golian.

The occasion was Girmit Remembrance Day, organised by Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand on 17 May, 2015. The actual Girmit Anniversary when the first Indians arrived in Fiji falls on 14 May.

This year’s event was clouded and eclipsed by the untimely death of the Foundation President, Pundit Devakar Prasad, who was planning the event on the theme of Syria tragedy. However, the committee felt that organising it the way it was planned was the best tribute to this great leader. Hence this event was held with substantial tribute to Punditji in two respects: firstly a citation on a scroll from the foundation was presented to the family. Among others, it noted his mentoring leadership, his community spirit and thanked his family for sharing him with the community.

Tribute to an Unsung Hero, through presentation of a scroll of citation, to the family of Pundit Devakar Prasad- from left, Mrs Prem Wati Prasad, and daughters, Anupama Mala and Neelima Chand. Neelima was also the Quiz Master for Girmit Quiz named after her father.

And secondly, A Girmit Quiz, named Pundit Devakar Prasad Memorial Girmit Quiz was Mastered by his daughter, Neelima Chand, with Author Rajendra Prasad as the expert advisor. The quiz teams were appropriately named after sugar mills in Fiji: Lautoka, Ba/Penang, Labasa and Rewa. And questions related to girmit, ranging from ships of girmit, (Leonidas, Syria) the language and idioms of Girmit, (lewa, dherki, murwari, jhulni), the personality of Girmit (Hannah Dudley, C. F Andrews (Deenbandhoo), Totaram Sanadhya, Manilal Doctor, Mahatma Gandhi) and general knowledge questions, plus rapid-fire question and audience quiz question.

This event was organised on the footprints of National Quiz that Devakar Prasad originated in Fiji. The purpose was to spread the knowledge of Girmit, in a fun way, while paying tribute the Maestro Quiz Master. The first event turned out to be very popular, with interesting audience quiz questions where winners were rewarded with token gifts. In the final results, Labasa Mill team, the Babasiga Lions, came out the winners to claim the inaugural quiz trophy. Congratulations, Labasa Mill team.

Pundit Devakar Prasad  Memorial Girmit Quiz, Aap Kitna Jante Hai, Na Kilakila Mada-  Labasa and Ba teams (in black) on the left, with Quiz Master Neelima Chand and special adviser, Rajendra Prasad in the middle. The Babasiga Lions, Labasa Mill won the inaugural  Girmit Quiz.

The other highlight was the presence of Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, as the Chief Guest and the Keynote speaker. He was accompanied by a delegation of three from Fiji on the invitation of the Foundation. 

It therefore was an opportune time for the Syria tragedy to be rekindled into limelight. The purpose was to have a representative of Fiji government in an event where their liberal policy of race –relations were applauded in light of humanity, cooperation and goodwill that was witnessed some 13 decades ago on a dark fateful night at a remote unfriendly raging Naselai Reef. 

That was the theme of Girmit Day 2015 that Acting President, Master Shiu Charan conveyed. He commended Nasilai villagers who on this fateful night of 11 May, 1884 risked their own lives and courageously provided valuable and timely assistance in saving 438 lives. Without their daring intervention, loss would have been even greater.

The Chief Guest, Minister Kubuabola was in the friendly zone, with  a familiar host. The head of Fiji Girmit Foundation, Master Shiu Charan,(left) and the Minister happen to be former Parliamentary colleagues from Fiji. They had a fruitful networking session.

Master Shiu paid tribute to the gallantery of Nasilai Villagers:

Unfortunately, Fijian history hasn’t resonated with such acts of ITaukei compassion and sacrifice. But we have witnessed that both the Fijians and Indo Fijians stand by for each other in times of need and disaster. Indeed, there is enormous reservoir of love, affection and goodwill between the two races that needs to be revealed, promoted and cherished.

He paid gratitude to Bainimarama Government for enhancing a new approach in Fijian politics, promoting racial integration, equality and goodwill. The Acting President further requested Minister Kubuabola to seek permission, according to ITaukei protocol, from the Chiefs and elders of Naselai Village for Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand to present a plaque to them in recognition of their compassion and kindness and as a thanksgiving gesture. When permission is granted, delegation from the Foundation in Auckland would make that pilgrimage to Naselai Village and that fateful reef.

The Minister (in the middle) with Rajendra Prasad and another former parliamentary colleague from Fiji, Sardar Harnam Singh Golian.

A sample plaque and letter of request was given to the Minister in this regards and the Minister responded very positively in his keynote address.

I am pleased that the organisers have chosen this focus, not so much to dwell in the tragedy of that event, but more importantly to highlight the face of hope and compassion that surfaced from it.”, Minister Kubuabola said. He commended Master Shiu Charan for his tribute to the villagers of Naselai, and expressed sorrow at bias of history which failed to highlight such positive stories which were often lost in accounts that gave much credit and praise to the colonial masters while others were only mentioned in passing.

 

The Ministerial Delegation from Fiji and Wellington: Girmit Foundation Trustee Rajendra Prasad (L-R), Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Esala Nayasi, Director Sisalo Otealagi, Special Assistance to Minister, Priyashni Lata, Head of Fiji Mission in Wellington, Mere Tora with Manoj Kumar.

The Minister applauded the plan of the Girmit Foundation to present a plaque to the people of Nasilai, the descendants of those who risked their lives to rescue the survivors of the wreck.

This noble gesture would appropriately recognise a significant historical event and at the same time serves as a reminder of the humanity, compassion and goodwill that prevailed in a most tragic circumstance. It confirms that the goodness within us transcends boundaries, and therein lies our hope,” the Minister said. He added that he was hopeful that the gesture of the Foundation would help contributing promotion of better understanding and goodwill amongst the different communities that make up our multicultural Fiji.

 

The movers and shakers. Executives of Fiji Girmit Foundation who organised the event. Sitting (L-R) Viren Lal, Master Shiu Charan (Acting President), Sardar Harnam Singh Golian, Nek Mohammed and Rajendra Prasad. Standing (L-R) Thakur Ranjit Singh (Secretary), Pradeep Chand, Satya Dutt, Pundit Ram Kumar Sewak, and Krishal Naidu (Treasurer) Missing is Vijendra Prasad who was away overseas.

In reply to the keynote address, the Trustee of Girmit Foundation, author of ‘Tears in Paradise” Rajendra Prasad, thanked the Minister for his kind words and congratulated the Minister and the Bainimarama Fiji First Government of forging a new hope for all the citizens of Fiji, with equality, fairness and social justice for all. He spoke about our stolen Girmit History:

The biggest issue with lack of knowledge on Girmit is because the History is always written from the viewpoint of victor and history of Fiji Indians have been stolen. To correct this anomaly, the Foundation requests Minister for his government to consider including Girmit History in Fiji’s education curriculum. But more importantly, we request the Minister to request Fiji Government to declare 14 May, the anniversary of arrival of first Indians to Fiji, as a Public Holiday. These would not only create better understanding of the historical perspective, but would also be a fitting acknowledgment to those ordinary Girmitiyas who did extraordinary deeds in extraordinary times.

 The Minister promised to take these requests to the government.

 

Of the many melodious and colorful items, a Bidesia being presented to a captive audience.

The afternoon’s programme included Oratory and very enthralling musical programme. The oratory, where students spoke in Hindi, showed the great level that parents endeavoured in ensuring a cultured generation with pride and respect for their culture, history and heritage. 

There were memorable songs, especially two, performed by students of Pooja group, and written by Author of Tears in Paradise, Rajendra Prasad. One was “Aye Fiji desh ke waasi…” which is based on famous Lata’s patriotic song…”Aye mere vatan ke logo….”  And the other was a Bidesia (a lament song).

There were other very able singers who added colour to a commemoration and was a reflection of what heritage our Girmitiya forebears left for us.

 

The crowd spilling out of Skipton Hall.

The other highlight was an excellent collection of Girmit display items with compliments of Satya Dutt. These ranged from very old and not very old items and ‘gadgets” our rural people used during their times in Girmit and post Girmit. 

The unlimited and unending array of refreshments, supplied by Hardip Singh kept the audience fed for virtually all of the afternoon. And the free supply of kava must have given some a bit of “bite” (sensational intoxication) as well.

 

The display items

This was indeed an event which now has gone to an overflowing stage at the  Indo-Fijian icon in Auckland - the Skipton Hall, which was provided free of charge by the Auckland Ramayan Sanstha Trust (ARST) for the last there years, in memory of those who suffered and sacrificed for our brighter future. 

Thanks to all who made this day a success, and we await our pilgrimage to Fiji. We also note with gratitude the decision of Radio Tarana to broadcast the whole event live from Skipton Hall, and Apna Radio and TV and Humm FM for their media coverage. 

Team Tarana which provided live broadcast of the event from Skipton Hall. Shalen Shandil is interviewing National List MP, Kanwaljeet Bakshi

May the blessings of our “pitra” (departed souls) of our forebears be always upon the children of Girmit.

Shat Shat Naman - our salutation to their memory.

Om Satgati - May their souls attain salvation.

[About the author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is one of the Founding Trustees and Secretary of Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand. He runs his blog site, FIJI PUNDIT which exclusively reported on this event.