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GOPIO commemorates Girmit Diwas in Queensland
The event sought to honor the legacy of indentured Indian laborers sent to Fiji in 1879.
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Pranavi Sharma - Sat, 17, May 2025
- 01:58 EDT
- 0
Among the program highlights was a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a presentation on the history of the Girmit system. / GOPIO
The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Queensland commemorated Girmit Diwas on May 13 with a packed memorial service at the Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre. The event sought to honor the legacy of indentured laborers sent to Fiji in 1879.
Now in its 17th year, the annual memorial service continues to serve as a poignant tribute to the thousands of Indian workers—known as Girmitiyas—who were transported to Fiji under British colonial rule. This year’s event was coordinated by Umesh Chandra OAM and featured a structured program that included traditional prayers, cultural performances, and speeches.
Among the program highlights was a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a presentation on the history of the Girmit system, and a translated performance of the folk song Bidesia, which has deep emotional resonance within the Girmitiya community. Attendees also viewed footage from the recent inauguration of the Girmit memorial in Kolkata.
The 2025 Girmit Honour Award was presented to Rajendra Prasad for his long-standing contributions to community welfare in both Fiji and Australia. The award recognized his efforts in preserving culture and promoting service-oriented community work.
The event also marked a moment of reflection, as the date coincides with the anniversary of Fiji’s first coup in 1987—an ironic historical overlap that wasn’t lost on attendees.
The evening concluded with a vegetarian community dinner, offering space for reflection and shared conversation among the diverse crowd. The event was sponsored by Globenet Realty and Cornerstone Law Offices, with support from the office of the Consul General of India in Queensland.
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