A significant amount of funding dedicated to this year’s Girmit Day celebration in Labasa has already been utilized, with additional resources earmarked to ensure the event’s success. Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, emphasized that careful planning is in place, with festivities set to include cultural performances and displays of historical artifacts.
In a heartfelt gesture, certificates and medals will be presented to individuals who are over 80 years old, commemorating their ancestors’ contributions. Singh highlighted the importance of holding this year’s Girmit Day celebration in Labasa, owing to the town’s profound historical connections to the Girmitiyas and the unfolding story of their settlement in Fiji. He noted, “Taking it to Labasa is significant because the sugar plantation was also, in a big way, vulnerable. So we have a lot of our people—the ancestors, the third and fourth generation of the Girmitiyas in Labasa.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, affirmed that sufficient funding has been allocated to support the event’s objectives, which also focus on educating younger generations about their cultural heritage. He underlined the importance of cultural and linguistic preservation as part of Fiji’s historical narrative.
This year’s Girmit Day celebration will take place from May 9 to 12, promising to be a remarkable occasion that acknowledges the historical struggles of the Girmitiyas while also fostering a forward-looking vision for unity and collaboration among Fiji’s diverse communities.
Previous reports highlighted the government’s commitment to cultural preservation with a budget of $200,000 and plans to establish a dedicated Girmit museum, emphasizing the enduring significance of these celebrations in promoting inclusivity and honoring the contributions of all ethnic groups within Fiji.
Looking forward, the Girmit Day events in Labasa not only serve as a moment of reflection on the past but also present an opportunity for cultural revival and greater communal bonding, showcasing a hopeful narrative of unity in diversity.
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