[Source: scroll.in]

The National Federation Party is today paying tribute to the Girmitiya or pioneering forefathers whose blood, sweat, toil and tears have made Fiji the hub of the South Pacific.

On this day 140 years ago, 463 indentured labourers – arrived from India onboard the ship Leonidas.

They were the first of 60,553 Girmitiya brought between 14th May 1879 and 11th November 1916 by the British colonial government to work on sugarcane plantations.

In the years after 1916, most Girmitya who decided to remain in Fiji after completion of their Indenture made Fiji their only home.

Today, their future generations have called Fiji their home.

The Girmitiya’s contribution to the social, economic and political advancement of Fiji is historical and immeasurable.

This is the legacy that the current generation must cherish and uphold and bequeath it to future generations.

The NFP says this task can be made easier through the education of our children of the sacrifices and struggle for dignity and justice of our Girmitiya.