PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA: THE MAHATMA GANDHI OF FIJI GIRMIT, BUT IGNORED AND UNACKNOWLEDGED

PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA: THE MAHATMA GANDHI OF FIJI GIRMIT - BUT IGNORED AND UNKNOWN

Guest Writer, Rajendra Prasad

[This is an excerpt of an address given by Rajendra Prasad, who was Keynote Speaker in Wellington, New Zealand during 140th Anniversary to mark Girmit on 18 May, 2019]

Tonight, I have the honour to disclose the name of the greatest Girmitiya in the history of Girmit, which includes 1.2 million Girmitiyas who went to the different colonies, including Fiji.
 

Totaram Sanadya:The Mahatma Gandhi of Fiji Girmit. He authored the book "Fiji Mein Mere Ikkees Varsh-My 21 Years in the Fiji Islands

In disclosing this name, I proudly claim that he was from Fiji and his name was Totaram who later famously became known as Pundit Totaram Sanadhya. In making this disclosure, I am also saddened that it took 140 years to recognize this distinguished Girmitiya from Fiji and I have little doubt, noting his attributes and achievements, in claiming that he was the Mahatma Gandhi of Fiji. 

It is not commonly recognized that it was Pundit Totaram and not Mahatma Gandhi who initiated the greatest resistance movement against the indenture system in India through his articles, published in India and letters of appeal to the Indian leaders since 1911. Mahatma Gandhi only joined the resistance movement upon his return from South Africa in January 1915.

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to recount Pundit Totaram’s historical journey. 

• Pundit Totaram reached Fiji in May 1893, served his Girmit in Nausori, and lived there until 1914 with his wife Gangadevi. 

• During this period, he consistently traveled all over Fiji to see his people, their struggles and sufferings and regularly wrote articles about them in the newspapers in India and through his letters, he urged the Indian leaders to stop recruitment of Indians and seek the abolition of indenture system. 

Rajendra Prasad, Founding Trustee, and Secretary to Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand. He is also author of two outstanding eye-opener books on Girmit and some of more-recent untold and unspoken Fiji History-written with a heart and human emotions.  He is Author of Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise-two extremely excellent reading. He is seen here delivering this historical keynote deliberation, speaking about the greatest Fiji Girmitiya who, shamefully us Fiji Indians, seem to have forgotten or ignored-PUNDIT TOTARAM SANADHYA

• In 1902, Pundit Totaram organized the first Ram Lila in Navua, which became the pattern for organizing such events in other districts in later years.

• In 1910, Pundit Totaram organized a petition signed by over 200 people, urging the government to make provision for schools for the children of Girmitiyas and sought Indian representation in Fiji’s Legislative Council. 

• In 1912, through the efforts of Pundit Totaram and with assistance from Mahatma Gandhi, barrister Manilal Maganlal Doctor went to Fiji from Mauritius to assist and represent Indian interests with the government and in courts.

• In 1912, Pundit Totaram stirred the greatest revolution against the indenture system in India when he published his article on the plight of Girmitiya woman Kunti who jumped in the river to protect herself from rape by the Overseer. 

• This news spread like wildfire in India and set the stage for a massive resistance movement against the indenture system. 

• In 1913, Pundit Totaram decided to return to India to see his aged mother and work towards the abolition of the indenture system with the Indian leaders. 

His departure from Fiji on 27 March 1914 was the saddest day for the Girmitiyas and they honoured their hero in a joint statement, acknowledging his selfless deeds while in Fiji. 

Pundit Totaram Sanadhya, who deserves to be remembered by Fiji Indians through some memorial or monument that is befitting for the the greatest of Fiji Girmitiyas.

Sadly, we, as a community failed to recognize the shining jewel of our community, which took 140 years for us to realize, acknowledge and re-write the slogan of praise for Pundit Totaram. And tonight, I do so with my head lowered in sadness, as we, as a community, failed to recognize Pundit Totaram and did not give him an eternal place of eminence in our history. 
Such neglect is a direct result of us being estranged from knowing or learning our history. We grew in ignorance – not by choice but by the deliberate design by those who ruled over our lives. 

However, it is sufficient to say that a community without its history is like a tree without its roots. In this regard, allow me to pause and pose a question – did we root in Fiji? I think not! If so, will our people ever root in Fiji? I consider it a moot question, which could yet be another subject for another night!

Due to deliberate design and neglect, we have lost the nuggets of gold that comprised our tragic but a remarkable history. This year, the Prime Minister of Fiji has assured that teaching of Girmit history will be included in the curriculum of schools. Sadly, following the end of indenture system in 1920 not one Fiji Indian leader until today raised this issue in the Parliament or anywhere on the importance of our history being taught in Fiji’s schools. Such was the measure of failure of Fiji Indian leadership in Fiji. 

Cover of Totaram Sanadhya's book that created a storm in India and ultimately resulted in end of exploitation of Girmit.

 Since the 1970s, several Indo-Fijian writers’ and authors have made their mark and earned their place of prominence but we have not acknowledged, leave alone honoured the pioneer among writers and authors – a Girmitiya Pundit Totaram. His writings stirred a revolution and his book, ‘Fiji Desh Mein Mere Ikkees Varsh’(My Twenty-One Years in the Fiji Islands’) written  on his return to India in 1915, became the source that enabled subsequent writers to research and write, filling the blank pages of our Girmit history.

On his return from Fiji, Pundit Totaram worked with Mahatma Gandhi, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and other Indian freedom fighters in the abolition of the indenture system. 

These giants of Indian independence movement recognized the greatness of this greatest Girmitiya from Fiji but we did not. They bestowed on him one of the highest honours, asking him in 1914, to address the annual meeting of the Indian National Congress in Madras. 

Pundit Totaram took the opportunity to reveal the injustices, atrocities and horrors of Girmit in Fiji, which contributed to the resolve among the Indian freedom fighters that abolition of the indenture system, should precede their struggle for India’s independence, as it entailed Indian honour and dignity.

Totaram Sanadhya with his wife, Gangadevi, who died in 1932. Totaram Sanadya passed away in January, 1947. They did not have any children. 

And I would quickly conclude by saying that Pundit Totaram later became the farm manager at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram where both he and his wife lived and died. His wife Gangadevi died in 1932 and Pundit Totaram in January 1947. They had no children of their own.

I claim that Pundit Totaram was the greatest political leader in the history of Fiji Indians but not known, recognized or acknowledged as such. If subsequent leaders belonging to our community had followed his example in dispensing their political duties and obligations, Fiji would have evolved as a great multiracial country. 

Pundit Totaram was the only leader, in the history of Fiji Indians, who spoke Fijian language fluently, intimately knew indigenous Fijian culture, customs and traditions and had earned a place of honour and respect with them. Subsequently, not one Fiji Indian leader knew the Fijian language or indigenous Fijian customs and traditions and they maintained a distant relationship with them. 

He sacrificed his life for others but today, Pundit Totaram Sanadhya, the greatest Girmitiya in the history of Girmit lies in an unmarked grave, even forgotten by those for whom he sacrificed his life but Mahatma Gandhi’s place of cremation is a national shrine, where people ritually go to pay their homage.

From one proud author son of Girmit to the other: Professor Brij Vilas Lal (right) gifting his excellent book"Chalo Jahaji" to Rajendra Prasad in 2014. Professor Lal was the Chief Guest for Girmit Events in Auckland during his visit from Canberra. Now he resides in Brisbane.

In Fiji, schools are established, honouring Sadhu Bashist Muni and Rev C. F. Andrews both linked to the Girmit era but there is no such recognition for Pundit Totaram Sanadhya. The most painful truth is that 95 percent of our people do not even know his name, battles he fought and sacrifices he made for the liberation of his people. 

I have paid my tribute to him, writing a full chapter on his life in my recent book, Enslaved in Paradise, hoping that he would be held in esteem and given the place of honour in our history. 

 [About the Author - Rajendra Prasad is a Founding Trustee and Secretary to Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation of NZ. He is also the author of two books on Fiji’s early Girmit history and years after that -Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise]

WHEN THE KICKER KRISHNA SCORES FIJI GIRMIT GOAL - AND NETS A BEATY-QUEEN WIFE

When The Kicker Krishna Scores Fiji Girmit Goal - and Nets a Beauty Queen Wife

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Roy Krishna, Professional footballer and A League Phoenix striker from Wellington was honoured with 140th Anniversary Girmit Legacy Award in Sports- Khelkood Ratan by Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand on 10 May, 2019 in Auckland.

The award was presented by the Chief Guest, former Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand.

Star soccer Girmitiya descendant A-League player, Roy Krishna (right), with his beauty-queen wife, Naziah Ali Krishna, who especially flew to Auckland from Fiji to be with Roy when he received Girmit Legacy Award in Sports-Khelkood Ratan

Professor Brij Lal, the recipient of the Literary Award –Sahitya Ratan (see article elsewhere) had rightly spoken about Fiji Girmitiyas: Ordinary people who achieved extraordinary feats in face of extraordinary adversities and difficulties. Their resolve and determination to succeed carried them on to deliver Fiji Indians where they are today.

This applies aptly to Roy Krishna, an ordinary person from a dusty sleepy village in Vanua Levu, Fiji. He has made his Girmitiya great grandparents proud. If his forebears are watching him from up there, they would be immensely proud to be bequeathed with such an honour for their sacrifices, suffering and - vision.

Today, their great grandchild, Roy Krishna, who started playing soccer by kicking balls made of plastic bags, as we do in village life, has reached the pinnacle of soccer in Australasia-and even Asia. Today the same humble person from this rustic village is worth millions in the fields of soccer in international scene - best amongst the best.

It appears the souls of Girmitiyas are blessing their descendants, as they have handed over their resolve, resilience and traits to the new generation.

This indeed was the case with this Girmitiya-descended professional footballer.  Krishna has received many awards and recognition for his excellent skills. But this is the sweetest of all - one presented by his own people not only in recognition of his soccer skills alone, but the character, personality and traits that have been passed on by Girmitiya forebears to the new generation of Fiji Indians. And a humble great grandson of Girmit, Roy Krishna is a scoring example of that.

Roy Krishna has string of Awards to his name: After playing 122 games with Phoenix:  51 Goals Record, Johnny Warren Medal, A-League Golden Boot, Phoenix Player of the Season 2017-2019, and Phoenix Golden Boot,2016-17, 2018-19. A remarkable achievement for a simple boy from a sleepy village in Vanua Levu Fiji. He makes the memory of Girmitiyas that much sweeter. 

It was decided to include soccer in Girmit Legacy Award because British introduced soccer to Fiji. Therefore it was appropriate to reward the star soccer star in New Zealand and a proud Girmitiya son, who is a household name amongst soccer loving fans. 

However, you need to appreciate that in our mythology in Krishna Lila, Lord Krishn played ball some 5,000 years ago. The only difference was that while Lord Krishn kicked the ball in Yamuna River to rid it of a demon, Roy Krishna kicked it in goal to prove that Girmitiyas can also leave rich legacies behind -a bagful of goals.

Parts of citation for Girmit Khelkood (sports) Ratan (jewel) award read:

During his first month in New Zealand just over 11 years ago, he spent most of his time crying alone in his room. At the tender age of 20, these suffering of pangs of homesickness in the first few months almost ended his career. Like our Girmitiyas, he was lonely, away from the loved ones, but unlike Girmitiyas, he could communicate to his parents. 

In tears, he'd plead with his mother to let him come home. Instead, Krishna's father would gently take the phone and tell his son his destiny lay elsewhere, and one day he would create history.

And how prophetic was his father, Bal Krishna’s words. Roy Krishna is Fiji’s first professional footballer who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix where he is on a history-making spree this year, winning the coveted golden boot, playing over 100 games and being the highest goal scorer in the current season. 

Despite his applauding achievements, Roy is humble and focused, set to scale greater heights of success and fame, which came with hard work, discipline and desire for excellence. 

He is a perfect role model for the younger people through display of his character, both on and off the fields with great dignity, demeanor, and decorum, well aware of his social responsibilities –and his roots.

The picture says it all  - ALL TIME LEADING GOAL-SCORER-51

In July 2018, Krishna married a Fijian model and pageant (beauty queen) contestant, Lisi Naziah Tora Ali Krishna. And that beauty queen honoured the occasion with her presence. She specially flew in from Fiji to be with her husband when he received that historical award given in memory of his Girmitiya great grandparents who passed him the traits that saw him succeed.

What is a matter of greater significance is that the pretty wife, Naziah Krishna is an epitome of Fijian legacy, representing the best of both worlds. This is because Naziah Ali Krishna is of both Indian and Fijian origin. Her father is a third generation Fiji Indian Girmitiya descendant, while her mother is an ITaukei (native Fijian) from the province of Ba. That is a perfect picture of Fiji we all wish to see.

Best of both worlds and a dream of Fiji we want to see: Naziah Ali Krishna (left) is of both Indian and ITaukei (Fijian) origin. Her father is a third generation Fiji Indian Girmitiya descendant, while her mother is an ITaukei (native Fijian) from the province of Ba. Wish them a happy-wedded life.

And Roy Krishna’s success story is a legacy that has been passed on to successive generations. Yes, Girmitiyas wished that, consciously and appreciatively the new generation will inherit their legacy - a legacy of struggle, endurance, resolve, resilience and achievement.

And the Khelkood Ratan, the jewel Roy Krishna, is a present day example of that Girmit goal – realized on soccer fields with hundreds of scoring thunderous goals.

And as we say in Fiji-Hindi – Roy Krishna net phaar diss re....(he has split the net)

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation, is a journalist, a media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]

GREATEST GIRMIT HISTORIAN, BANNED FROM FIJI, AWARDED WITH FIJI GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD IN AUCKLAND

GREATEST GIRMIT HISTORIAN, BANNED FROM FIJI, AWARDED WITH

FIJI GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD IN AUCKLAND

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Fiji’s Prime Minister has made outstanding speeches during 140th Girmit Anniversary. Very commendable. However, there remains a huge black spot, and an act of betrayal that appear to border on vindictiveness. And that is ban on Professor Brij Lal to Fiji.

Those Girmit speeches would continue sounding hollow and pointless, bordering on hypocrisy unless Fiji Government adopts attitude of humility, humbleness and forgiveness by allowing Fiji’s most celebrated historian son, Professor Brij Vilash Lal (and his good wife) back into the country of his birth which he placed on international spheres through his excellent research and commentary on Fiji’s Girmit history.

Professor Brij Vilash Lal, addressing audience at Indian Calvary Church in Otahuhu during his attendance at Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day in Auckland in May, 2014. He has been awarded Sahitya Ratan, Literature Award at Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ function in Auckland.

And that greatest Fiji Historian was awarded Girmit Legacy Award in Literature, Sahitya Ratan  by Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand at 140th Girmit Thanksgiving Day in Auckland on 10 May, 2019. This was a day before Bainimarama gave his illustrious speech on Girmit in Fiji. Extremely commendable, but all will come to naught unless this great Girmit son is allowed back into his country of birth.

And also, as the Foundation request is pending with Fiji Government, TO ALLOW 14 MAY AS GIRMIT THANKSGIVING DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY in Fiji. While we await humane gesture on Girmit by Bainimarama, nevertheless, Girmit Foundation in New Zealand commenced recognizing Girmit’ s outstanding children.

Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand decided to introduce Girmit Legacy Awards because there has been no such recognition for Fiji Indians overseas who tended to get statistically diluted and lost in “Indian” and “Asian “categories.

Therefore, only a Girmit (indenture) organisation, vested with taking care of Fiji Indians could really appreciate, value and recognise their gems. Therefore Girmit Legacy Awards are there to recognize the achievements of the descendants of Girmitiyas for bringing pride, joy, sense of belonging and social cohesion to what Girmitiyas have bequeathed us: A distinct Fiji Indian race, with a distinct language, culture and attachment to Fiji - and while rooted in India, being a distinct Pacifica people.

From one author to another. Professor Brij Lal (right) presenting his outstanding book, "Chalo Jahaji" to author of "Tears in Paradise" and Enslaved in Paradise", Rajendra Prasad.

The Chief Guest for Girmit Thanksgiving in Auckland, a Girmitiya son, New Zealand’s former Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand, observed the enigma of Indian heritage: 

Guyanian, Sir Sridath (Sonny) Ramphal, erstwhile Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, described Indian cultural heritage, in his own instance as being like a seed from a tree growing in India being taken across the seas and growing with encouragement from a seed again to flower in the Caribbean – that is, being different but maintaining the essence of Indian origin.

Same applies to Fiji Indians who were honoured. A seed from India, flowering in Fiji, and taken to other countries, maintaining the essence of Indian origin, but still being a Fijian.

What Girmitiyas have done is to give us a rich and inspiring legacy. And through that Fiji has produced outstanding people that have become role models to inspire others and ensure the hard work, spirit, values, and legacy of Girmitiyas continue to live in action every day.

And when we speak of such legacy left by Girmitiyas in keeping their history alive, one name comes to our mind. 

A PROUD GIRMIT SON- PROFESSOR BRIJ LAL: Had it not been for him, Fiji's Girmit History could have been missing from history books. It is our fervent prayers, that Bainimarama Government in Fiji will rise up to allow him back in Fiji. That will be a fitting 140th Anniversary gift to people of Fiji's Girmitiya descendants who adore this Professor- a short man with very high stature.

When talking about promotion of Hindi Language through Ramayan, we sing: sach mano Tulsi na hote toh Hindi kahin padi hoti. If it wasn’t for Tulsidas in promoting Hindi through Ramayan, the language may have been lost.

Similarly, when speaking about Girmit (Indenture) history, we can say:
Sach mano yeh Professor na hote toh Girmit ki itihas kahi chipi hoti. If we did not have this Professor, History of Fiji Girmit would still be missing from history books. 

Yes, and that Professor is a simple, short person, but of very high stature, Professor Brij Vilash Lal from Labasa, Fiji (now of Brisbane, Australia). He was announced as recipient of Girmit Legacy Award 2019 in the Literature Category – Girmit Sahitya Ratan. (Professional Wellington A League Footballer, Roy Krishna received sports award-story to follow)

Professor Lal’s Award citation read:

Girmit is our foundational history, which was gradually being lost with the passage of time. However, had it not been for Professor Brij Vilash Lal – a descendant of the Girmitiyas – the very words ‘Girmit’ and ‘Girmitiya’ would have been lost forever.

In fact, there was a real danger of us losing the entire Girmit history, had it not been for Professor Brij Lal, a world-renowned scholar on Pacific and Girmit history who single-handedly retrieved and restored our foundational history. He removed the stain linked to the words “Girmit” and “Girmitiya” and turned them into jewels of our history that we have come to treasure and embrace. 

Professor Lal’s work spanned various disciplines – from history, biography to political commentaries and compiling an encyclopedia. He is regarded by his peers as the most eminent scholar in the school of humanities and social sciences Fiji has ever produced and remains one of the most highly acclaimed intellectuals of Fiji - a proud descendant of the Girmitiyas. 

Professor Lal makes us, the descendants of the Girmitiyas, very proud through his achievements. His most memorable quip, which is fondly quoted is: “The Girmitiyas were ordinary people, who achieved extraordinary feats in extraordinary circumstances.”

What Professor Lal has achieved through his writings is to give voiceless people a voice, place and purpose, a sense of dignity and inner strength that comes from never giving up no matter how difficult the circumstances. 

He strongly believes that history belongs to the victor as much as it belongs to the vanquished. And through his scholarship, initiative and sacrifice he has filled the blank pages of our Girmit history. 

He is author of some 40 book now, if not exceeding this number.  For such a long list of achievements, we concede that no award is adequate to truly reflect the depth of our appreciation.

Indeed, Professor Lal, in his long and illustrious academic career, would have received many, many awards, recognition and commendations for his excellence in his field from many sources.

An honour for this author, Fiji Pundit, Thakur Ranjit Singh, (left) to share this photo with a distinguished scholar and historian, Professor Brij Lal when he visited Auckland in May 2014 as the Chief Guest in Fiji Girmit Foundation Girmit's  Thanksgiving Day.

But this is unprecedented as it comes from his own people, and from an organisation, Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ, which represents people he has given a name – Girmit. 

To make it sweeter, he was the Chief Guest at the Foundation in Auckland in 2014. And Bainimarama can even make it sweeter by rising up to allow Professor and his good wife back in Fiji as Fiji’s 140th Anniversary gift to one of Fiji’s most celebrated Girmit son.

Indeed, it is a pride for him to be honored by children of Girmit - whose history he kept alive. It is now left on Fiji government honour the son who kept alive the memories, and feats of Girmitiyas.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation, is a journalist, a media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]

FIJI INDIANS IN NEW ZEALAND SEEK THEIR PACIFICA IDENTITY ON GIRMIT DAY IN AUCKLAND

FIJI INDIANS IN AUCKLAND SEEK THEIR PACIFICA IDENTITY

Thakur Ranjit Singh

It was 140 years ago that the first shipload of Girmitiyas arrived in Fiji on 14 May, 1879. And Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand commemorated this day with marked differences.

The Trustees of the Foundation passed on the baton to a youthful millennial executives who organised this event for the first time. And they brought in welcome changes. There was no crying, lament or apportioning the blame – the theme was to celebrate the resilience, resolve, faith in future, trust in education and vision of the forebear Girmitiyas.

Also, the programme was not intended as an entertaining event filled with songs and dances. Instead, it was meant as educational, empowering and enlightening - with quiz, oratory and historical insights. In addition this programme was used to encourage and allow Fiji Indian community to ascertain their rightful role and recognition as Pacifica people, being the second largest Pacific population in New Zealand.

Girmit Legacy Awards- Sports Award-Khelkood Ratan, was awarded to Phoenix A league Soccer Star Roy Krishna. Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand presenting Krishna award while his wife, Nazia Ali Krishna, who had especially flown from Fiji to be beside her husband, looks on. [FIJI PUNDIT will write in detail, separately about Girmit Legacy Awards in later articles]

This was reflected in presidential speech by the president, Krish Naidu, who mentioned that Fiji Indians were discriminated while in Fiji and this appears to have accompanied them to New Zealand. 
He said:

In New Zealand we live with an identity crisis where we are not accepted and recognized for belonging to the Pacific community and entitled to resources, opportunities, respect and recognition available and given to people who originate from the Pacific Island Countries. 

The president of Girmit Foundation called on New Zealand government, government agencies and other institutions to recognise geographical, statistical, ethnicity and historical facts about Fiji Indians, and treat them fairly. The youthful Girmit Foundation Executives promised to advocate for this change.

The Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand , delivering his keynote address. He advised us, among others, to share our rich heritage with others to ensure they also benefit from its values.

Naidu also requested for Fiji Indians to be reflected as a separate ethnicity in NZ census, and requested all Fiji Indians to stand up and unite under a Girmit banner and to work together and build on unity. 

The Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand, of Fiji Indian heritage and former NZ Governor General outlined both sides of his genealogy, coming from two parts of India. He told a packed Skipton Hall that he was moved by the respect that was shown by the foundation in honouring and presenting medals to over 25 elder reaching above 80, for passing the heritage and culture from the earlier generations to the next one.

The ARST Skipton Hall was full to capacity with a captive audience.

He once again echoed resilience and special traits our forebears left behind which make us proud with a rich heritage. Sir Anand posed a challenge and question: What are we to do with our matter with Indian heritage? It is not only to be recorded and bottled up but shared around for the benefit of a considerable number.

He saluted the faith of forebears in education and confidence in future that has seen the descendants to shine. He added:

I feel certain if it was possible for our forebears to ascertain what was achieved by subsequent generations, they would be proud. Education and its pursuit is of course, keynote. As Nelson Mandela once said, education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. 

The Housing and Transport Minister, Phil Twyford also saluted all other migrants who made Aotearoa into a beautiful melting pot and he saluted Fiji Indians for shining out and being exemplary citizens.

Some members of the community who were there to bless the event, from left, Mahendra Sharma, President of Waitakere Indian Association, Pundit Ram Kumar Sewak, Pooja Cultural Group, and Auckland Ramayan Sanstha (ARST), Pravin Kumar, Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, Mahendra Singh and Mavis Lata Singh, President of  Sanatan Naari Sabha.

The prime event for the evening was Girmit Legacy Awards. As resilience and resolve of our Girmitiyas helped them transcend adversity, what that meant is they bequeathed the new generation a rich and inspiring legacy. And through that, Fiji has produced outstanding people.

The Memorial-Shradhanjali ke doh phool . Candle being lit in memory of the departed Girmitiyas. Soccer Star Roy Krishna and Fiji Honorary Consul, Harish Lodhia lighting the candles, while "paparazzi" is busy taking photos.

The president Krish Naidu reflected that Fiji Indians needed to celebrate their distinct identity and become a voice for their people. Hence the Girmit Legacy Awards were instituted this year to celebrate and honour the success of the descendants of Girmitiyas. He said it was important that such success stories were told, shared and celebrated. He said:

Girmit Legacy Awards are there to recognize the achievements of the descendants of Girmitiyas for bringing pride, joy, sense of belonging and social cohesion. These people have become role models to inspire others and ensure the hard work, spirit, values, and legacy of Girmitiyas continue to live in action every day in particular through our children and youths.

This year four such awards were declared. They were:

1) Community Well being Award – Samajik Kushalta Ratan, awarded to 
        Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation.

2) Arts and Culture Award – Girmit Kala aur Sanskriti Ratan, awarded to            Waitakere Hindi School.

3) Sports Award – Khelkood Ratan, awarded to Wellington A League                    Phoenix Star, Roy Krishna

4) Literature Award - Sahitya Ratan, awarded to Professor Brij Vilash               Lal.

The most outstanding Historian son of Fiji who brought out the stolen Girmit History into limelight, gave the name 'Girmit" and added respectability to people who were virtually forgotten. Professor Brij Vilash Lal was awarded Sahitya Ratan-Literature Award for unprecedented work on Fiji History. He is seen here delivering his keynote address in Auckland Girmit  Function in 2014. Looking is the then President, Late Pundit Devakar Prasad.

The three awards were presented by the Chief Guest, Sir Anand Satyanand, while Professor Brij Lal could not be present, and it would be presented to him in a later event this year. [Separate articles later would cover the awards in detail]

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Hon Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, presented their messages and there were other congratulatory messages, interspersed with cultural item and quiz. The evening rounded off with photography sessions where photos were taken with the star attraction soccer star Roy Krishna and his pageant beauty queen wife Nazia Ali Krishna who had especially flown from Fiji to receive the award with her husband. And many people took out time to take photograph with the elders who were given medals and also with the Chief Guest Sir Anand and Lady Susan.

Remembering and rewarding the forgotten elders who passed on the teachings and character of Girmitiyas to the new generation. Here some are seen with their medals with two founding Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ, Master Shiu Charan (nearest to camera on the right) and Sardar Harnam Singh Golian (in suit)

As usual the evening rounded off with sharing of bilos of traditional Fijian drink, yagona, and people had a good feed of sumptuous meal provided. 

If it was a litmus test for the millennial team of Executives of Fiji Girmit Foundation, it was a job well done and huge applause from all of us.

A very memorable, and unique way to salute the memories of those who sacrificed for us, and Fiji Indian Diaspora need to learn from Aucklanders to emulate such events for their forebears in their respective cities around where Fiji Indian Diaspora have settled.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation, is a journalist, a media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]

A Salute to Fiji’s forgotten Girmitiyas on 14 May, 2019 - 140 years on

A Salute to Fiji’s forgotten Girmitiyas - 140 years on

Thakur Ranjit Singh

FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND is hosting 140th Girmit Thanksgiving Day on Friday 10 May, 2019 from 6.30 - 9.30 pm, at ARST Community Hall, 53 Skipton Street, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand.

May 14 is a significant day in the calendar of Indo-Fijian history. It can be variously recognized but its foremost significance is the arrival of first ship Leonidas, with 479 Indian indentured immigrants, who we call Girmitiyas. That significant year was 140 years ago, in 1879.

This followed 82 other ships that transported over 60,000 Girmitiyas to Fiji. Indenture system (Girmit) came to an end on December 31, 1919 after a bitter struggle against the recruitment of Indian indentured labourers that saw the might of Mahatma Gandhi ultimately triumph over that of the British Government. Some 35,000 of these people decided to settle back in Fiji, and their descendants now make a distinct race of people with a distinct culture, language - and achievements. They are us-FIJI INDIANS

Sir Anand Satyanand, Chief Guest for 140th Anniversary of Girmit. He is a proud son of Girmit, tracing his roots to Fiji. He has been a lawyer, a former Judge and former Governor General of New Zealand.

As 14 May 2019 marks 140th Anniversary of the first arrival in 1879, I am sure many in Fiji Indian Diaspora are ignorant of its importance. I do not blame them for their lack of knowledge of history of their heritage, as our school history fails to recognize and acknowledge this fact, which appears to have been stolen from successive Fiji Indian generations. 

Americans and Canadians honour their warriors on Thanksgiving Day, New Zealanders and Australians do this on ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), and New Zealanders and especially Maori do this on Waitangi Day. 

Leonidas, the first sail ship that brought indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) to Fiji on 14 May, 1879. Therefore 14 May 2019 is 140th anniversary of that first journey. We urge Fiji Indians to develop pride for those who sacrificed and suffered for us. The vision of Girmitiyas has given us this life of comfort away from their impoverished villages they left behind, with a dream of better future for the new generation. At least we owe this burden of gratitude to mark one day for them-and salute them for what we have now.

And what do Fiji Indians have? Why cannot we set aside at least one day in a year to think and honour those who sacrificed their lives and gave us this better life through their suffering, sacrifices – and vision? While the soldiers fought their wars in battlefields, Fiji Girmitiyas fought economic wars for the British on the killing cane-fields of Fiji.

It is for the sake of their history and rich heritage and legacy that Fiji Indians need to inculcate pride of the new generation in their history. We need to tell our children and grandchildren about the stories of Girmit so that they know where they have descended from and how full of suffering and sacrifices have been those Girmit journeys.

To realise this dream, a group of Fiji Indians in Auckland New Zealand, have taken steps to reconnect, reclaim and restore Indo-Fijian history. FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND has been formed six years ago, among other things, to regularly organize commemoration of Girmit in New Zealand and also become an advocacy organisation representing interest of Fiji Indians in New Zealand.

And we have been regularly marking 14 May as Girmit Remembrance Day and enhancing this knowledge not only in New Zealand but in Fiji Indian Diaspora. Girmit Foundation is already gearing on to commemorate 140th Anniversary in Auckland on Friday 10 May, 2019. They have a Chief Guest who really brings to reality the theme that Girmitiyas were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in extraordinary circumstances. Through their suffering-and vision they have been able to leave behind a legacy they can be proud of – one of their sons honoured their memories by being appointed New Zealand’s Governor General.

Laborers in front of a sugar mill, getting ready for their back-breaking task of doing work for the CSR Company on very little pay and very difficult conditions. They endured so much for a better life for us - and we salute them for it. But how many of us really appreciate and remember them?

Yes, Sir Anand Satyanand will be our Chief Guest. A  New Zealander lawyer, judge and ombudsman, he became our country’s 19th Governor General for five years from 2006 until 2011.  On both sides of his family, his linkages are to Fiji and to India and he has continued to maintain them.  Both sets of his grandparents came from different parts of India (Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh) to Fiji under the Girmit system.  Sir Anand has always been proud to acknowledge this background. He is an excellent and eloquent speaker, and we are honoured to have a Girmiya grandson addressing us, who make all of us proud of the rich Girmit legacy.

Speakers, among others, would include New Zealand politicians. The evening’s programme will remember sacrifices, progress and vision of our forebears through oratory, poems, quiz, music and achievements of some Girmitiyas and their organisations. This will be a journey through memory lane which will provide exposure to a history that has been stolen from us, and remains yet to be told. 

The Trustees of Girmit Foundation have also ventured on a culture that is prevalent in NZ- the new generation, or Millennials, like NZ PM, taking the helm, and driver’s seat. Therefore in this spirit, the older Trustee have passed on the baton to younger  executive team.

The new youthful team is led by its youth Trustee, Krish Naidu, as President, assisted by Kirti Singh and Nikhil Kumar as Vice Presidents and Shiraaz Shah is Treasurer. Ashfaaq Khan is the Chairperson, with Anji Naidu as Marketing and Communications Officer. The youthful team has Krishneel Prasad as Secretary, Radhika Priya as his assistant, Param Rana and Morisha Ali are Advocacy and Community Liaison, Ashwant Sahay as executive member, and Radha Kanhai Reddy in the organising Committee. The trustee have full confident in this rejuvenated and youthful team.

We are aware that there are at least five other organisations in New Zealand who will commemorate this day. Fiji Indians in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will also rise up to remember our Girmitiyas.

Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand has been commemorating GIRMIT REMEMBRANCE DAY to honour 14 May, regularly. This is the banner for our event in 2015 in Auckland, when tragic sinking of Syria Ship was our main theme.

As our people in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand have taken lead, we Fiji Indians across the world especially those in Canada and USA, also need to commemorate the sacrifices of the pioneer generation with solemnity and sobriety on May 14, paying homage to those who laid their lives on the altar of sacrifice. I urge religious, social and cultural organizations to undertake this mission at the community level annually and also appeal to individual families to offer prayers and recitals in their homes in memory of those whose lives were tragically lost. 

Let us commemorate and celebrate their legacy and humanity. We call on all Fiji Indians, all children of Girmit to rise on 14 May to remember and appreciate the sacrifices of our girmitiyas, and reclaim our heritage and history.

We are what they wanted us to be. In   commemorating their memories, let us ignite that undying flame of desire and gratitude in our community, particularly in our children, that they are able to consciously and appreciatively inherit the legacy of the Girmitiyas – a legacy of struggle, endurance, resilience and achievement.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a third generation Girmitiya son, a journalist, a blogger, a media commentator and former Publisher of Fiji’s Daily Post. He is A Founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand. He runs his blog site: FIJI PUNDIT, available at www.fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz]

Jacinda Ardern displays political brilliance - and expediency in ditching Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Jacinda Ardern displays political brilliance and expediency in ditching Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Thakur Ranjit Singh

There is a Fiji Indian anecdote, bordering on stupidity –and hilarity, where an armed robber breaks into a rich lady’s mansion, and demands, putting a loaded gun at her head:

“Choose - life or money”

The rich lady replies” Take my life, as I will need the money in old age.”  

A compassionate Prime Minister who set a new standard on how leaders need to manage major human crisis and grief. She could have abused  her elevation of popularity to push for CGT but opted for  pragmatism, political reality and respect view of majority.

Jacinda Ardern had faced the same choices- either be blamed for ditching her promise, or losing an opportunity to do anything good for the underclass at all. And you can only do that if you survive as a government.

Like the rich lady being robbed, she had two choices. Either choose survival of her government, and coalition deal, and chance of a second Labour term, or fulling the promise of CGT, winning the battle, but losing the war, and a second chance. 

She had to choose from keeping on holding a very contentious and controversial hot potato, or blowing the wind out of Simon Bridges and National Party’s 2020 election sail.  National Party was already gearing up to have CGT as Ace of trumps for next election. Now that sail has fallen flat (wait for Simon to follow suit!) without any wind from CGT.

Jacinda Ardern is accused of not using her star status to push for CGT. She is damned if she does it,  and she is damned if she does not do it. But she used her judgement to survive and to redirect her abundance of energy and talents into projects that can realistically be achieved. 

I disagree, especially with those opinion writer pundits of doomsday who say the Prime Minister failed the country, failed CGT supporters within her party, and failed to use her popularity to sell this issue.

She showed her brilliance, lost a battle, but won a war. You can be certain that she was afforded the best advice, mostly from Aunty Helen Clark, (and Cullen) who themselves rejected CGT during their nine years in government. From their past experience, (read Cunliffe and Little) Labour knew that the details of CGT was hurting them at polls, hence they found it safer to park it at roadside, parked in Tax Working Group. And reviewing and weighing it from economic as well as political reality, they permanently parked it there. And in doing so, deprived the National Party of leadership stability, and heads may roll there soon.

National Party Leader, Simon Bridges is the biggest loser in ditching of CGT, as his trump card for 2020 election has been lost, and his leadership is in doubt - he may not last long.

Labour Party rightly opted for other ways to fill this vacuum, like transfer of wealth though Working for Families. Ardern admitted there were other steps that would be taken to improve the fairness of the tax system, pointing to steps the Government had taken to tighten rules around land speculation and their upcoming review of “negative gearing"(transfer of rental losses to reduce income tax from other sources) rules.

Her opponents need to appreciate that Labour Party realizes a CGT is not the only way to address inequality.  The Budget is coming in May, and in words of the old cliche –“there is more than one way to skin a cat.” The robust debate helped by media, resulted in shedding light in other alternative areas. Criticism of NZ First and Winston Peters is misplaced. They deserve credit for articulating the concerns of small and large businesses, from within Government. The MMP allows them the veto right, and they rightly used that.

And Labour has no mandate to impose CGT.  With their 36.9 per cent of the vote and Greens 6.3 per cent, the total makes to 43.2. And this is not a mandate. And looking at National at 44.4 per cent, opposition to CGT is even greater than Labour and Greens total combined. Hence, rejecting this, Jacinda Ardern was correct to say that there was a lack of mandate from New Zealanders for CGT.

Indeed, MMP is not a laughing matter. Under it, Winston Peters was perfectly right to veto CGT. Labour and Greens, with combined total of  43.2 percent had no mandate to impose CGT. NZ First deserve credit for articulating the concerns of small and large businesses, from within Government. That is the beauty of MMP!

The credit that Jacinda gets as a caring leader is that she listened and acted on what she heard. The main purpose of the proposed tax was to fix housing shortages and dampen house price inflation, but the tax working group was unable to show that imposing a capital gains tax would achieve these goals. Hence she used wisdom and judgement.

So you are saying that Jacinda Ardern is a coward and secured Labour Party a second chance by ditching CGT? And so you are saying she should be the sacrificial lamb at the CGT butchery and deny Labour Party the chance to implement numerous of other progressive, benevolent and socially conscious policies that National ignored by being “a Government of landlords”?

NZ Herald cartoon depicting pragmatism, judgement and brilliance of Jacinda Ardern. She chose not to be a sacrificial lamb, to be slaughtered in CGT butcher house. She chose survival of her government so she could come for a second term to deliver to her voters.

So, like that greedy rich lady wishes at the beginning of this article, do you also wish Jacinda Ardern to lose her government? Then how would she be saviour to so many who depend on her to reduce the inequality gap, among others?  Go ahead, make my day, answer, please.

How wrong was Fran O’Sullivan of NZ Herald opinion writer on Saturday 20 April, 2019, when she said:

Fortune praised her rallying skills. Ardern has those in abundance. Pity they were not used this week.

And on her heels, the Editorial writer of NZ Herald, John Roughen, in his column on 22 April, 2019 echoed similar negativity:

Labour has shown this will always be a timid Government. If it could not do a capital gains tax with all the stars well aligned, it will not do much at all.

Indeed, how off the mark were these celebrated writers of NZ Herald that they need to be corrected by an ethnic, Fiji Indian blogger, FIJI PUNDIT which has been rejected by NZ mainstream media.

They need to read and comprehend this article. 

Ardern’s face was projected onto Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, that is the level of respect she had gained with her handling of terrorism attack in Christchurch.

I repeat that Ardern has been brilliant, compassionate, judgmental, and wise, has shown pragmatism, recognized political reality and will survive to redirect her abundance of energy, talents and compassion into projects that can realistically be achieved. 

And to attain these, one needs to be politically expedient. That is why she makes it to Time and Fortune magazines!

I salutes the Prime Minister for her brilliance that many cannot see.

[About the Author-Thakur Ranjit Singh is a Kiwi Fiji Indian media commentator and blogger at FIJI PUNDIT]