Fiji Indians renew their call to be identified as Pacific people

                           Dinesh Chand, winner of ‘Excellence in Grassroots Volunteer Award’ with Janifa Khan Janif (Picture Supplied)

The zenith of Fiji Indians’ organisational leadership in general and their advocacy for identity in particular was reached in an overflowing Malaeola Community Centre on May 7, 2021, with over 1600 people. This Mangere, South Auckland venue was the celebration of the 142^nd  Anniversary of Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day.

That is the number of years Fiji Indians have been part of the Pacific-six generations.

After normal salutations and acknowledgements, that is exactly what Krish Naidu, a youthful President of the organisers, Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ, advocated.

He very judiciously and expediently chose the right place and time. The stage was overflowing with Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomats, Academics, Community Leaders.

His advocacy was emphatic; this could be summed as the punchlines of the evening:

“We are Pacific people. We are not asking for a favour – we just wish to be recognised for what we are.”

Official recognition imperative

Fiji Indians need to be acknowledged as part of an inclusive Pacific community where diversity within the Pacific community is embraced and celebrated. An official recognition is needed from the government beyond the role of Stats NZ.

In his emphatic and forceful welcome presentation with a very attentive audience, Naidu reminded that the Ministry for Pacific Peoples role is to improve outcomes for all Pacific Peoples by bringing all Pacific voices, perspectives and understanding into policy.

He questioned why the Fiji Indian voice was silenced and ignored. He emphasised that, to be effective, this Ministry must also hear voices of all Pacific peoples. He supported the view that Fiji Indians should not be treated as a ceremonial piece. They needed to be part of official policy framework of Pacific people always, and not merely when it suits them.

“The taxpayer funded Ministry of Pacific People is for all Pacific People. It is not a Ministry for Indigenous Pacific People alone. This bias –  this institutional  and structural discrimination – must stop. And for that, we need real political leadership,” he said.

His suggestion was applauded by most dignitaries and politicians.

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Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand President Krish Naidu (Picture Supplied)

 Dereliction of duty?

Perhaps in body language, the current and past National opposition politicians on the stage were taunting the Labour Party politicians. This is because Labour Party, from the days of David Lange, has been seen to be close and sympathetic to Fiji  in general and Fiji Indians in particular. And requests from the Fiji Girmit Foundation implied that there appeared to be hints dereliction of duties from some sections of the Labour Party Government, and Ministry of Pacific Peoples some sections of the bureaucracy were not listening or paying attention to their calls and concerns.

Naidu also reminded that Fiji Indians are being featured negatively on issues like diabetes, heart disease, mental health, with certain diseases linked to Fiji and their Pacific lifestyle back in Fiji. He repeated that real gains for the overall New Zealand health system could only be made if diversity of all Pacific people were captured, as this was not currently done by the concerned Ministry.

HRC assures fair treatment

Human Rights Commissioner Meng Foon, delivering his keynote address, concurred with the stance of Fiji Indian advocacy and was hopeful that some solution could be found soon.

“The Commission is here to support anyone in New Zealand who feel that they have been aggrieved or discriminated against. We also support the fair treatment of all, and this includes collection of data which could impact the fair distribution of resources,” he said.

He said that the Fiji Indian community in New Zealand has expressed its concern for over 20 years and this was valid. The Foundation hopes to find a solution within the framework of human rights and would be approaching them for assistance if no other solutions are found. 

The evening was a fitting tribute to the memory of legacies and heritage of Fiji Indians.

It was a free event funded by the community, with no external support. The theme was remembrance and recognition of Girmitya descendants, and more than 50 Fiji Indians aged over 80 were honoured with commemorative medals as an appreciation for carrying the flame of the rich Girmit legacy.

Girmit Legacy Awards

In addition, the Foundation expanded its vision to celebrate and recognise people and institutions for their noteworthy, contributions, achievements, and services to our community. The category of awards and recipients for the Girmit Legacy Award included (1)   Excellence in Community Services and Leadership (Supreme Award) – Sam Achary (2) Excellence in Grassroots Volunteer Award –  Dinesh Chand (3) Contribution to Girmit Literature – Dr Farzana Gounder (4) Contribution to Arts and Culture – Pooja Cultural Trust and Special Appreciation Award – Kashmir Kaur.

The Foundation wished to promote the importance of May 14 for the Fiji Indian Community because it marks the day first Indians arrived in Fiji, which importantly marks the birth of Fiji Indian identity. Girmit marked their foundational history and they do not wish the new generation to be denied the opportunity to know about their history – and rich legacy.

Progress of the Foundation

Before 2012, Fiji Indians had been living in larger numbers in Auckland for over 30 years, but no such event or organisation was commenced until some visionary unsung heroes initiated this nine years ago, and now that the seed has grown into a fruit-bearing tree.

The Fiji Girmit Foundation, apart from marking the remembrance, has grown into an advocacy body for Fiji Indians and have plans of expansion into other cities and towns of New Zealand. Christchurch has a chapter, while Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin are expected to have their chapters this year with support of the Foundation in Auckland.

Fiji Indians now stand united and are enlightened about their stolen history and feel proud of their history, rich legacies, and heritage. And this, among others is the reason why they do so well as migrants and rarely, if ever make it into negative statistics.

Over the years, Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ has grown from strength to strength, and culminated in the crowning glory in this memorable event on May 7, 2021 in Auckland. The crowning glory of the Foundation was realised by the vision of current trustees.

We salute the Trustees, Executives, and the Organising Committee of nine-year-old Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ for bringing such a huge, memorable, and noteworthy Remembrance Day in New Zealand.

Our only hope is for a similar event to be emulated by almost 41-year-old Fiji Girmit Council on the soils where Girmit took place – Fiji. The hope is that they will follow the footsteps of elder Trustees of Foundation in New Zealand, the ageing Trustees of Fiji Girmit Council can pass the baton to the new generation to see Girmit Legacy continued.

Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist and a founding Trustee of Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand. He is a media commentator and runs his own blog called ‘Fiji Pundit.’ He has a passion for his forebears, Girmit Legacy, and Heritage, and has written various articles on Fiji Pundit and elsewhere. Email: thakurjifj@gmail.com

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