A TIME FOR FIJI INDIANS IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA TO BE COUNTED AS "FIJI INDIANS"

THAKUR RANJIT SINGH

This article was first written for NZ Census. But since Australians are also going through one, I wish to share the enlightenment for FIJI Indians in NZ as well as AUSTRALIA. 

Please note the difference between NATIONALITY, AND ETHNICITY (Race). We may be Fijians by Nationality, but are FIJI INDIANS as a race or ethnic category. The census issue is about ETHNICITY, OR RACE.

Fiji Indians are not new to New Zealand and Australia – so many came as contracted labourers and stayed back. But larger numbers continued coming and we had large influx after 1987 coup and this migration continued. My estimate is that there are over 100,000 Fiji Indians in NZ and not sure about the numbers in Australia.

But nobody can be sure, as they have never been counted or identified separately as FIJI INDIANS either in NZ or AUSTRALIA. They have been  mistakenly treated as “Indians , Asians or South Asians”, which they are in a wider context.

However, they are a distinct Pacific (Pacifica) people who need to be identified as such.

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION in NZ are fighting for their true identity as Pacifica people and we urge all Fiji Indians to be counted-and counted properly as who they are – FIJI INDIANS. We also request Fiji Indians in Australia to do the same-be counted as FIJI INDIANS….Please read on why……..

Fijians of Indian descent in New Zealand and Australia comprise a huge number, but nobody knows how many, as we have never been recorded separately. We have either been counted as Indians, or have eclipsed in ‘Asian” or "South Asian" category. No efforts have been made to identify us separately. Some claim that if recorded properly in NZ, we may even surpass Tongans and Niuean, and come only second to Samoans as the largest number of people of the Pacific in New Zealand.

Australia also comprise a huge number but the have never been recorded separately as FIJI INDIANS.

The next generation after Girmit: The second-generation of descendants of Fiji Girmitiyas who were honoured during Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day in Auckland in May, 2014. Our request to Fiji Indians filling out future census forms in NZ and Australia is to reflect our race as those who descended from them- FIJI INDIANS.

At the moment there is no consistent term that refers to Fijians of Indian descent-some call us Indo-Fijians, some Fiji-Indians and others Fijian Indians. Whatever the most accepted terminology, our first issue is to be identified separately in New Zealand and Australian Census, where we comprise more than most other Pacific Islanders. 

That is why in 2018 NZ Census, Fiji Indians were urged to record their ethnicity as “Other” and record it as “Fiji Indian”, so that we are correctly recorded as who we are. At the moment, we are a lost race. We have to first identify as “Fiji Indians” and then decide on the appropriate terminology for us.

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ is having discussion with NZ Government is to give us our identity and amend forms to show a box as FIJI INDIANS. Australians need to do the same as FIJI INDIANS exceed many other ethnicities.

Pacific Islanders with lower numbers get special recognition and government assistance programmes, while Fiji Indians surpassing island numbers get lost in Indian and Asian identities, and miss out on those benefits. 

Bansi Chauhan, a Girmitiya from Karauli, Rajasthan, India,who arrived in Fiji in 1915, served his Girmit in Ba, Fiji and settled there. Like him, other 60,500 came and majority settled back in Fiji and produced a new culture and breed of people: FIJI INDIANS. The author of this article, Thakur Ranjit Singh is Bansi's grandson, a third generation FIJI INDIAN.

The irony is that Indians in New Zealand and Australia do not regard us as Indians while Fijians (ITaukei) do not accept us as Fijians. Special benefits available for Fijians in New Zealand do not reach Fiji Indians because they are not identified as Fijians. So, Fiji Indians with a distinct culture and language became lost and drifted without any recognition, opportunities or benefits that were earmarked for us as Fijians. Special programmes reserved for Fijians ignored us. 

Fiji Indians are a distinct breed of people - they are not Indians - ask any Anglo Saxon (European). Our history in the Pacific started in the eighteenth century.

Over 14 decades ago, the first Indians from mostly Northern India were shipped to Fiji as Indentured Labourers. Between the next 37 years, from 1879 to 1916, some 60,500 Girmitiyas, or indentured labourers were brought to Fiji by 87 ship voyages. Of these, some 25,000 were successful to move back to India after indenture, while the remainder stayed back. Why? Were they frustrated from moving back, to slave for Colonial Sugar Refining (CSR) Company’s sugar plantation? Were they seen as cheap labour for the British? 

Really. But that is another story for another day, to be answered by former Ba Town Clerk, Rajendra Prasad’s next blockbuster book to remove many myths about Girmit history and a failed leadership in Fiji. His next book,” Enslaved in Paradise”, a sequel to his successful historical tear-jerker Fiji Girmit history, “Tears in Paradise,” answers this mystery as to why many Indians who finished their indenture did not return.

Leonidas was the first ship to arrive in Fiji on 14 May, 1879 with the first batch of Girmitiyas-indentured labourers. There were a total of 87 voyages that brought some 60,500 indentured labourers to Fiji. Some 25,000 returned after their indenture, and the rest settled in Fiji and the Fiji Indians descended from them.

Leonidas was the first ship to hit Fiji with Indentured Labourers. As India was a British Colony that time, the British and Australians found India a fertile ground for cheap labour for cane plantations in Fiji. India washed its hands on the suffering and plight of people in Fiji, and paid only token attention of cries from Fiji. Even when Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Fiji in 1980s, she reminded Fiji Indians, that they were no longer Indians, but belonged to Fiji. But we never seemed to have belonged anywhere.

Through vision of Girmitiyas, we stood tall. This is because they vowed never again to allow a situation where their children would suffer like them. Hence, they concentrated on education and future well-being of their children. Educational opportunities and sacrifices they made for their future generations are enumerated in many historical writings.

The new breed of Indians in Fiji shed the vices that still are a curse in India, like caste, dowry or female foeticide (killing female foetus), among others. They made a fresh start. And so began a distinct culture, and religious traits. As they stayed on cane farms spread sparsely, they formed Mandalis or religious groups, and thus began distinct religion, local singing and cultural songs, which were rooted in India but changed and adopted with local flavour. 

Indo-Fijians , Fiji Indians, or Fijian Indians - whatever you call us, we are Pacific people rooted in Fiji. They descended from Indian Indentured labourers-but are rooted in the Pacific and New Zealand and Australia has to recognise their descendants as such- FIJI INDIANS.

A distinct Fiji Hindi language also transformed with a mixture of Hindi and other languages and local dialects of Girmitiyas. Fiji Hindi initially started as Lingua franca, a bridging language, but later took root as a language of Fiji Indians. This is spoken by all the descendants of Girmitiyas. 

Hence time is ripe for Fiji Indians to be counted in New Zealand and Australia –as a distinct race of people. One may hazard a question to two prominent people identified as Fiji Indians in NZ, as to what they will fill as race: Former MP, Rajen Prasad and former Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand? 

Whatever they fill, all the other Fijians of Indian descent in New Zealand and Australia are requested to be counted and have pride in their Girmit legacy and heritage -and counted properly as who they really are – FIJI INDIANS.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a third generation Fiji Girmitiya descendant, now settled in Auckland. He runs blog, FIJI PUNDIT and is a media commentator. He has filled his race/ethnicity in the census as "Fiji Indian" and urges others like him from Fiji to do likewise, to be counted properly as FIJI INDIAN]

Walking the Talk: Practising What we Preach

Thakur Ranjit Singh

God loves those who love their fellow beings. Hinduism preaches that the most meritorious, virtuous, righteous and saintly deed one can do is “parr hitt”- service to other fellow beings in particular and humanity in general.

Taking this on board, Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust has ventured on a visionary project, a walkathon that is termed, Ram - A –Thon, to help worthy national organisations providing services to communities of New Zealand.  Funds raised last year went to the Starship Hospital in Auckland, while this year’s efforts raised funds for Saint John Ambulance.

This article maps out the event and is intended as a salute to those who literally walked their talk to practice the religious motto of service to humanity.

Indeed, you serve God by loving and serving fellow-beings and humanity. And Shri Ram Mandir devotees literally walked their talk in serving fellow being by raising fund for Saint Johns through a walkathon -Ram- A-Thon on 4^th February, 2018.

You may not believe in miracles of God, but the gift of nice fine weather on 4^th February, 2018 was nothing short of a miracle. Despite forecast of stormy weather, the day dawned into a beautiful morning. We all assembled at Ram Mandir in Henderson and were transported by Ritchies bus to the starting point, the Winter Gardens at Auckland Domain.

Let the walk begin for a worthy cause. The enthusiastic and energetic walkers commencing the walk at Winter Gardens, Auckland Domain on 4th February, 2018

The Co-Op Taxis had sponsored this point and its executive, Jacob Patel, handed over their donation. Earlier, there was welcome address by the Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, Pravin Kumar, and appreciation from Saint John Representative, Dennis Dufty. With morning tea, sandwiches and refreshments, we were fuelled for the first stage of 5.3 km walk from Domain to Western Springs. Unbeknown to many, we had amongst us an 84 year old who started the march.

The Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, Pravin Kumar, giving the welcome small-talk at Auckland Domain (Winter Gardens), before the walk. It was his vision to practise what is preached by Hinduism - serving and loving mankind is one of greatest devotions to God.

This 20km walk served many objectives. We were raising money for a worthy cause-for Saint John. We were getting much needed exercise by walking. This event also brought family, friends and the community together.

One specialty of the walk was health and safety angle. Volunteer Doctors Ajay and Kulvant Singh kept close eyes on the walkers throughout the walk. And Sanit John vehicles accompanied the walkers all the way through. Anybody feeling tired had a choice to terminate the walk and board the accompanying vehicle. And those feeling unwell had more than adequate medical attention.

Pit Stop at Western Springs which was one of the main stops, where Sport Waitakere held activities for Seniors and Families. Pictured here, from left is Ram-A-Thon Executive Committee member, Madhavan Raman, Siona Fernandez, Indian Sports and Wellness Coordinator, Sport Waitakere, and Distinguished Guest, Labour List MP, Priyanca Radhakrishnan.

But the real beauty of this walk was the 20km of contrasting, breath-taking views of Auckland. The first stage, comprising 5.3 km went close to the CBD of Auckland, past Upper Queen Street. Passing by Auckland hospital, in the distance shadows of the Sky-Tower, over Grafton Bridge and through famous (some say infamous) K –Road (Karangahape in full), down Great North Road, through Central Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn to the first pit stop-Western Springs.

Western Springs was the main pit stop where Sport Waitakere kept the senior citizens busy with their innovative sports and recreation activities. The kind sponsors, The Cooperative Bank provided abundance of healthy food snacks and drinks. The Bank Executive, Alice Cappleman, and Labour List MP, Priyanca Radhakrishnan addressed the walkers, gave them words of encouragement and spoke about virtues of helping others.

The group photo at Western Springs,with Saint John Ambulance and St John Shuttle van in the background with a third transport car in the middle, dwarfed by the walkers.

After group photos, walkers marched past Western Spring Lake and through a picturesque Western Springs  Park, crossing the motorway overbridge, onto the cycle tract parallel to motorway 16. This is a shared path between walkers and cyclists, and is the longest stretch of the walk, comprising 8.3km. This is a tough one, with a mixture of sea-view, traffic noise and beautiful Waitakere Ranges in the horizon.

A picturesque walk through International park, between McCormick Reserve and Tui Glen. This is led by the youngest walkers. On left is Sukirti Sharma, who at just over 10, completed the whole 20km walk, being youngest to do this. On the right is the baby of the walk, Rania Roma Chand, who was the youngest, at 5 years 9 months, to complete one leg of the walk.

Minister of Housing and Transport, and the local Te Atatu Electorate MP, Phil Twyford welcomed them at McCormick Greens in Te Atatu South, just beside Motorway 16. This pit stop was kindly sponsored by Kumar Guru, Austar Reality, of LJ Hooker.

The big supporter of Shri Ram Mandir activities, the local electorate, Te Atatu MP, Phil Twyford,(with mike and cap) being the guest at McCormick Greens Pit stop, addressing and encouraging the walkers. Phil is also Minister of Housing and Minister for Transport. He is appropriately flanked by his two stalwart supporters, Shane Henderson, Chair of Henderson - Massey Local Board, with MC for the pit stop, Madhavan Raman (extreme right) while Pundit Jagdish Sharma, with hand-held hailer, ensuring that the Minister is heard by all. 

The walk from McCormick Reserve to Tui Glen is perhaps most pleasant. Walking past some residential area, sneaking under Central Park Drive Bridge, and walking thought the international gardens among best greens and path made this a very pleasant experience. It was here that the youngest walker, Rania Roma Chand, just 5 years 9 months, joined the walkers for this leg of the walk, with her mother. She chattered the way through with her group of walkers at easy pace while more energetic ones breezed through the shortest leg of 3.2 km walk.

The much deserving prizes for the oldest and the youngest walkers. The prize to the oldest walker, 84 year old, Gangi Taunk, handed over by Dennis Dufty of Saint Johns (top)  Above, prize for the youngest walker was given to Rania Roma Chand . Prize is being handed over by Mandeep Kaur Sidhu of NZ Police, and also a committee member of Ram-A-Thon committee. Rania is only five years nine months and completed one leg of the walk, while Sukirti Sharma, aged 10 was the youngest to complete the whole 20km walk. 78 years separated the ages of the youngest and the oldest walkers.

Tui Glen pit stop was sponsored by AB International and chair of Henderson –Massey Local Board, Shane Henderson was on hand to address the walkers, while Minster Phil Twyford had joined the walkers from Mc Cormick pit stop.

When walkers arrived at the final stop outside Ram Mandir on Brick Street, we had a welcoming party consisting of students from Waitakere Hindi School and musicians from Mandir with drums and cymbals to lead the walkers to the Mandir, where the formal part of the programme was held.

The first was naming and awarding prizes to various walkers. The following were the winners:

Prize for most generations walking was given to Master Shiu Charan Family. Dennis Dufty of Saint Johns (left) is seen handing over the prize to the family-Shiu Charan, Granddaughter Jayshree Anita Charan and Daughter-in-Law, Lucretia Charan. While the grandfather , Shiu Charan completed one leg of the walk, and also won the prize for the highest individual collector, the mother-daughter team completed the whole 20km walk.

·         Highest individual collector-Master Shiu Charan

·         Highest Corporate collector-Lotus Foreign Exchange

·         Family -Generational –Master Shiu Charan, Daughter-in-Law, Lucretia     Charan and granddaughter Jayshree Anita Charan (3 generations).

·         Family-highest number- Sanjay, Nandini, Vivek and Vishal Kumar (4)

·         Family completing the full walk:  three winners- Falgun and Sangita Shah,     Amrit Bhai and Amba Ben and Suman Sharma and Kajal Kumar.

·         The youngest: Rania Roma Chand- 5 years 9 months.

·         The oldest: Gangi Taunk- 84 years old.

THE MAIN EVENT

   Cheque of $15,522.40 being presented to Dennis Dufty (4th from right) of Saint John by Ravend Kishore, (second from right) a Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, while flanked by Pravin Kumar, Managing Trustee and Salend Kumar, another Trustee. On the left are the team from St John that accompanied and oversaw the security and wellbeing of the walkers, and a police representative.

The real winners were the walkers who were rewarded with the satisfaction of helping St John, and of course Saint John who were handed $15, 522 collected in the walk.

This whole event was with a message for other similar religious organisations to venture of the real spirituality of engaging with the wider community and helping those who help others.

We will await you next year for a day of fun with your families-in serving humanity. And God.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh runs the blog, FIJI PUNDIT, took most of the photos and was also Acting Event Director of Ram-A-Thon project 2018.]