The Indian Weekender, 14 May 2021

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Eid Mubarak We wish your families prosperity, peace, happiness and good health as you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr this year Left to Right: Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern (Leader of the Labour Party, MP for Mt Albert, Prime Minister of New Zealand), Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan (MP for Maungakiekie, Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector, Diversity, Inclusion & Ethnic Communities, and Youth), Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall (Labour List MP, Minister for Food Safety and Seniors), Marja Lubeck (Labour List MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi), Vanushi Walters (MP for Upper Harbour), Naisi Chen (Labour List MP based in Botany), Ibrahim Omer (Labour List MP), Dr Gaurav Sharma (MP for Hamilton West), Ingrid Leary (MP for Taieri). Contact Labour’s Ethnic Communities Team: 09 622 2557 ethnic_communities_labour@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
The Indian Weekender Friday, May 14, 2021 NEW ZEALAND 3 Remembrance and celebrations mark Fiji-Indian ‘Girmit-day’ event SANDEEP SINGH 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. There was also generous attendance of the community leaders from the wider Kiwi-Indian community, including Jeet Suchdev, President, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Dhansukh Lal, President Auckland Indian Association, Naveed Hamid, Pakistan Association New Zealand, Vai Ravindran, President, Auckland Tamil Association, Ghoose Masjid, Secretary Mana Andhra Telugu Association NZ, among others. Speaking with the Indian Weekender President of Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ Krish Naidu said, “The Remembrance Day is an occasion to celebrate our identity and the contributions we have made to Fiji, Pacific and New Zealand in the realms of culture, economy and society.” For uninitiated, May 14 is marked as Girmit Remembrance Day to acknowledge the arrival of the first ship bringing Indian indentured labourers to the South Pacific heaven of Fiji, commencing a process of creating new heritage and history for the people deceitfully removed from their original home – India. The indenture system was designed by the British colonial empire as an alternate system of supplying the labour force after the end of slavery in 1834. About 60,000 indentured labourers were deceitfully brought from different parts of India in 42 different ships (88 voyages) starting May 14, 1879, to 1916 and forced to work in sugarcane farms under highly exploitative conditions with little respect for basic human right and dignity. Since then, May 14 is celebrated as “Fiji Girmit Day” by the Fiji-Indian communities living in different parts of the world, mostly as a sombre occasion to reflect upon the tribulations of their forefathers. However, slowly that trend has begun to see some changes with the new younger generations within the community expressing the desire to move away from the sombre and sorrowful remembrance to celebrations of what they believe as their founding identity and heritage. • Continued From Page 3 COMMERCIAL CLEANING BUSINESS FOR SALE From $15k + Guaranteed revenue Stable client base Locally based Great team and support from the franchisor Be your own boss without the hassle and stress Call Aston on 021 848 483 CALL NOW for no obligation FREE CONSULTATION 0800 66 77 92 Oliver Pereira Financial Adviser Mob: 021 66 77 92 Email: oliver.pereira@opminsurance.co.nz For further information about us, please refer to https://www.opminsurance.co.nz OPM Insurance Services Limited (FSP117285), trading as OPM Insurance Services Limited holds a licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) to provide financial advice.
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The Indian Weekender, 14 May 2021

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