Fijians mark SS Sutlej’s 102nd anniversary
SUVAIndo-Fijians yesterday marked the 102 years anniversary of SS Sutlej, which brought more than 800 Indians to Fiji. Between 1879 and 1916, a total of 42 ships made 87 voyages, carrying Indian indentured labourers to Fiji. A total of 60,965 passengers left India, but 60,553 (including births and deaths at sea) arrived in Fiji. A total of 45,439 boarded ships in Calcutta and 15,114 in Madras. The SS Sutlej brought the last lot of grimitiyas to Fiji before the indenture system was abolished. More than 300 people gathered at the Albert Park in Suva to mark and celebrate the Sutlej Girmit Remembrance Day. While officiating the event, Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Vishvas Sapkal said yesterday was the day when the last Girmit ship completed its journey to the shores of Fiji. He said after the SS Sutlej, no further ship came to Fiji bringing Girmitiyas. “The Girmit system was abolished after the arrival of the SS Sutlej in 1920,” Mr Sapkal said. “Today we are celebrating the day as remembrance for the arrival of the last ship to Fiji. “60,553 Girmitiyas came in 87 ships during the 37-year period to work as indentured labourers. “We should recognise and remember all of the passengers because without their sacrifices, without their hard work, we cannot see today’s wonderful development in Fiji. They have contributed immensely and that was against all odds. “They were suffering and had a lot of problems, they were not paid properly during the indentured labouring time. They had to work very hard with just about five hours of sleep. They have contributed a lot to the development of Fiji, including the development in the education field,” Mr Sapkal said.