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For the Fijian-Indian community in Auckland, traditions are important. They re gathering as they would in Fiji to celebrate the Hindu festival of Navaratri.
But 142 years have passed since their ancestors were taken to Fiji to work on sugar plantations and some traditions have changed. The music has evolved over time, religious practices, weddings have evolved over time. While we ve maintained Indian roots, there has been a Pacific flavour that has gone into it, says Krish Naidu, president of the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand.
Over the last century there have been four coups in Fiji spurred by tensions between ethnic Fijians and Indian Fijians.
Remembrance and celebrations mark Fiji-Indian ‘Girmit-day’ event Thursday, May 13, 2021
Remembrance of the elderlies and celebrations of the spirit of courage and endurance associated with the Girmitiya fore-fathers of the Fiji-Indian community marked the 142nd-anniversary celebratory event of Fiji-Girmit Day held on Friday, May 7 at Malaeola Community Centre in South Auckland.
More than 1000 people attended the event to enjoy a colourful celebration of the most important civic event within the Fiji-Indian community with a number of cultural performances, speeches, award ceremony and snacks and food.
Among dignitaries who attended the event key were Minister Phil Twyford, Labour MP Dr Anae Neeru Levasa, National MP Melissa Lee, Chris Luxon, Simon O’Connor, Former National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, High Commissioner of India, Muktesh Pardeshi, Hon Consul of India Bhav Dhillon, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon and Judge Ajit Singh.
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Fiji s Indian population have made significant contributions to the country s economy and diversity. Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama poses for selfies with the crowd at the Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day celebrations at Albert Park, Suva, on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Naidu said last year’s event was cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions, and that had made this year’s celebration even more special. “The Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ was formed in 2013 with the object of reconnecting, reclaiming and restoring Fijian Indian/Fiji Indian history and creating awareness among the descendants of the Girmitiyas on their tragic but fascinating early history,” Naidu said.
KZN couple continues to reap benefits of farming
By Taschica Pillay
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DURBAN - TWO KwaZulu-Natal North Coast farmers have continued to supply a national grocery retailer for the past three decades.
Balamani Govender, 66, had inherited the family farm in La Mercy and has been supplying vegetables to the Shoprite Group.
Now together with her husband Krish Naidu, the couple exclusively supply Shoprite weekly a variety of vegetables grown on their small-scale farm.
They produce a variety of herbs, coriander, mint, watercress, and Cherry Belle radishes.
In season, they also produce beetroot and turnip.
“In order to supply Shoprite we had to meet certain requirements, follow a growing programme, and most importantly follow a food safety programme for which we get audited annually,” said Naidu.