Students Learn the History, Experiences of Girmitiyas
To keep the culture of the sacrifice of the Girmitiyas alive, young people needs to understand the story behind it.
Many schools in teach about Girmit as a way to instill the importance of Fiji’s one of the greatest histories on the contribution of the Girmitiyas. In Lautoka Andhra Sangam College, the Year 9 students are taught of a Hindi novel on Girmit, titled as “Mahek”. The novel is written by Utra Gurudayal.
Vanshita Nand of Year 12 said Girmit Day was important as people get to remember the struggles the Girmitiyas faced back in the colonial days.
“One important thing I learnt about Girmitiyas was that they have contributed both culturally and economically in Fiji’s development,” she said.
“I first came to know about the Girmitiyas from my parents and through the stories my grandparents told me. I came to know more about them through Girmit celebrations held in schools as well as through Hindi and Social Science classes.”
Another Year 12 student, Aryan Chandra said Girmit Day was the day we honored our ancestors.
“This day is important to me as a
student as this day reminds us of the courage and strength of the Girmitiyas who despite of being brought
from their motherland to a whole new place were able to sustain their culture, traditions and establish a
better future for the generations ahead,” he said.
“The most important thing that I have learnt about the Girmitiyas is their hard work and sacrifices despite the challenges they faced physically and mentally.”
He said he came to know about the Girmit Day and the Girmitiyas by his parents and grandparents. “They shared the experiences of their grandparents and great grandparents who came under the indenture system. Our teachers also teach us about this important event. “Young people should learn and broaden their knowledge about Girmit Day so that they can learn and stay connected to their roots and take pride in the contribution and sacrifices of their ancestors through the hard work of which we are able to lead a better life today.”
Shanaya Kiran of Year 10 said Girmit Day meant the emotions and thoughts of people as they remember their ancestors who were brought from India to work in the sugarcane fields in Fiji and their hard work paid as to what Fiji is today.
“This day is important for me as a student as it marks the reminder of the strength of indentured laborers as they were able to preserve their culture, traditions and identity despite the difficult circumstances and situations for their upcoming generations,” she said.
“The most important thing that I learnt about Girmityas is that they sacrificed a lot for their children as they didn’t want their children to suffer just like them and they also worked hard to serve their families even after 82 cruel years of torture by the British people as some of them decided to settle in Fiji.”
She said reading books and looking at photos of Girmitiyas was something enlightening and she encouraged younger generation to learn about them.